I had a no sleeper and then a preemie who nursed all night, so here's what I'd suggested from my experience.
1. FIND A WAY FOR *YOU* TO GET SLEEP. For us, this meant that one evening a week, when DH got home, I had dinner ready and then went to bed for a few hours. I also did that either Saturday or Sunday afternoon. You need sleep. Obviously it sounds like you're aware that it affects your functioning, but having come through the other side, I know how vital it is. Do you perhaps have a relative or friend you'd trust to keep her for a few hours? You may have to hire a sitter just so that you can get rest.
2. DD needed to be wrapped up to sleep until about your DD's age. She would get so upset and start flailing in her sleep and wake herself up. Have you tried this?
3. Have you tried to prop yourself up and let her sleep on you that way? You mentioned that she sleeps on you in the rocking chair, so perhaps doing this on the bed would work. That way you could snooze more easily while she's napping.
4. DS (the *really* bad sleeper) was not a napper. Even at a couple of months old, he only napped for 20-30 minutes at a time once or twice a day. Once we recognized that, we spent much less time trying to get him to sleep. It made things easier because I felt like you - that I spent most of my day trying to get him to sleep.
5. Does she fall asleep in the car? I've heard that babies who always fall asleep in the car need more sleep. We went through that phase with DS. We really had to work to get him to sleep as much as possible for a few weeks until his body could wind down and sleep normally.
6. I'm sure you've read this, but do you have a set bedtime routine? That will give her cues that bedtime's coming up.
7. Does she have allergies? When DS was up all night, not tired, not cranky, just wide awake, we found some of it was that his sinuses were stuffy. Lying down was uncomfortable, so he'd just decided to keep himself up. Try massaging her face and ears to see if that helps. Both of mine *love* when we do a "head massage."
Honestly, though, and I hate to tell you this, DS didn't grow out of his sleep problems. When he turned 3, we started giving him Valerian root to help him sleep. After a few weeks, his body seemed to regulate, and now he's asleep most nights within a few minutes of lying down. He actually said he enjoys going to bed now, but I don't think (personally, others may disagree) that Valerian is good for them much before 3.
I've had a couple of friends who've had success with cranio sacral therapy, but it's not something we've done. It (or traditional chiropractic) also may be something you consider.
1. FIND A WAY FOR *YOU* TO GET SLEEP. For us, this meant that one evening a week, when DH got home, I had dinner ready and then went to bed for a few hours. I also did that either Saturday or Sunday afternoon. You need sleep. Obviously it sounds like you're aware that it affects your functioning, but having come through the other side, I know how vital it is. Do you perhaps have a relative or friend you'd trust to keep her for a few hours? You may have to hire a sitter just so that you can get rest.
2. DD needed to be wrapped up to sleep until about your DD's age. She would get so upset and start flailing in her sleep and wake herself up. Have you tried this?
3. Have you tried to prop yourself up and let her sleep on you that way? You mentioned that she sleeps on you in the rocking chair, so perhaps doing this on the bed would work. That way you could snooze more easily while she's napping.
4. DS (the *really* bad sleeper) was not a napper. Even at a couple of months old, he only napped for 20-30 minutes at a time once or twice a day. Once we recognized that, we spent much less time trying to get him to sleep. It made things easier because I felt like you - that I spent most of my day trying to get him to sleep.
5. Does she fall asleep in the car? I've heard that babies who always fall asleep in the car need more sleep. We went through that phase with DS. We really had to work to get him to sleep as much as possible for a few weeks until his body could wind down and sleep normally.
6. I'm sure you've read this, but do you have a set bedtime routine? That will give her cues that bedtime's coming up.
7. Does she have allergies? When DS was up all night, not tired, not cranky, just wide awake, we found some of it was that his sinuses were stuffy. Lying down was uncomfortable, so he'd just decided to keep himself up. Try massaging her face and ears to see if that helps. Both of mine *love* when we do a "head massage."
Honestly, though, and I hate to tell you this, DS didn't grow out of his sleep problems. When he turned 3, we started giving him Valerian root to help him sleep. After a few weeks, his body seemed to regulate, and now he's asleep most nights within a few minutes of lying down. He actually said he enjoys going to bed now, but I don't think (personally, others may disagree) that Valerian is good for them much before 3.
I've had a couple of friends who've had success with cranio sacral therapy, but it's not something we've done. It (or traditional chiropractic) also may be something you consider.
