Please help Need More Sleep

[henhao]

I've been cosleeping for 11 months and, after a vacation during which I was able to sleep, realized I need more sleep. It's not good for my health to be so exhausted. I feel sickly and look awful from months of bad sleep. And now that DD likes to turn full circles in bed and I end up with her feet in my stomach or neck, I'm ready to modify our cosleeping. Am I allowed to say that here?

I just really need help. Also, her sleep cycles are shorter than they were when she used to sleep in the Arms reach. Ever since we put her into our actual bed, her wakenings have increased to about every 1-2 hours.

What can I do so I can get more sleep?

I've read NCSS and done routines before...what do you do when they aren't asleep at the end of the routine?:dizzy: :dizzy: :dizzy: :dizzy:

[maryeb]

What is your routine like? Are her nap(s) consistent? I don't know about sleep patterns at 11 mo., my ds is 9 mo., so I'm wondering if this is an age thing? A milestone thing? How long has she been sleeping in your bed? Sorry for all the questions, I'm just trying to get a feel for the situation more specifically. Sorry you are so tired! It's so rough. Any time you can nap? Mary

[henhao]

I work FT so I can rarely nap. During my vacation, I could nap and could think clearly and my sense of humor came back and that made me realize how tired I am.

Our routine is new diaper, brush teeth, and read books and nurse to sleep.

Her naps are oftne consistent. One at about 10 am and one at about 1 or 2 pm.

Sometimes she falls asleep for the night at about 4 or 5 pm and doesn't wake back up. That has surprised us so we didn't do the routine on those nights. I thought she was dropping her second nap but the next week she was back to two naps and falling asleep at night sometime between 7 - 9 pm.

[maryeb]

hmmm...well, what popped into my mind when I first read your post was that a month or so ago, dh started sleeping in the other room because he was sick and coughing quite a bit. Luc and I really enjoyed having the bed all to ourselves, he could roll around and do the horizontal position thing all he liked. But when dh came back to the bed, Luc was up soo much at night, wanting to play with dh. Maybe this is what is going on since it seems like your dd hasn't been always sleeping in your bed? If so, perhaps it will get better as she gets used to it and you'll have more sleep. If not, do you have a crib you can sidecar? Another mattress to put on the floor so you have room? I don't know if this helps at all...hopefully someone will pop in and give you some more advice! Good luck. Mary

[kimbernet]

We have a full sized bed next to our queen. DS has his own space to sleep horizontally if he wants. I'm also right there if he just wants a snuggle. It used to just be DS and I in the queen but even that wasn't enough room for his odd sleeping positions. Now that we've got the full bed next to the queen, my DH has been able to rejoin us and I've stopped waking up with feet kicking me in the face or stomach. Even if you want to move your DD out of your room completely, the first step should probably be having a bed for her next to yours first. I never do things cold turkey or faster than my DS would be comfortable with. We've had all kinds of sleeping arrangement transitions over these past 2.5 yrs but none of it caused DS any crying or anxiety. Whatever you decide to do, just take a gradual approach and it will be fine! GL!

Kim

[red17]

I work FT so I can rarely nap. During my vacation, I could nap and could think clearly and my sense of humor came back and that made me realize how tired I am.

Our routine is new diaper, brush teeth, and read books and nurse to sleep.

Her naps are oftne consistent. One at about 10 am and one at about 1 or 2 pm.

Sometimes she falls asleep for the night at about 4 or 5 pm and doesn't wake back up. That has surprised us so we didn't do the routine on those nights. I thought she was dropping her second nap but the next week she was back to two naps and falling asleep at night sometime between 7 - 9 pm.

My dd also falls asleep between 7-9 but then wakes again and wants to play. She doesn't go down for the night before at least 9:30.... but she also stays in bed asleep until at least 8 if not 9. She takes one longish nap (2-2.5 hrs) or 2 small 1 hr naps. Is your dd in childcare during the day or do you have home care for her.... If she's home, is she getting out in the afternoons? If I take my dd out in the afternoons, she sleeps very well no matter what time she goes to bed.

My heart goes out to you.:hug Can you have your dh take on the evening/morning responsibilites so you can get some extra sleep? I understand that the lack of sleep is because of you dd's latenight wakings... was she with you on vacation? Did you have the same sleep arrangement but were simply able to catch naps? If that is the case, maybe a sidecar crib arrangement would give you both more room while keeping you darlin close by.

From one low-supply mamma to another, I hope you work things out and get the rest your body needs:hug . I definately understand sleep deprevation and the effects it has on one's body. Good luck and hang in there mamma.