Catching some Zzzz's
I think this might turn out to be a therapuetic post for me. About a month ago I wrote about Lia's night weaning and sleeping through the night. It lasted a good few weeks, but lately she has turned into one of the worst sleepers I know. Her naps have become inconsistent and almost non-existant. I think her lack of daytime sleeping is now affecting her night sleeping because for the past week she has woken up at least 2-3 times each night! Just when you think you have a system and everything is going routinely, these babies get older and decide to change their habits.
All the research, reading, and talking that I've done has not seemed to help. Trust me, I've been trying it all. I've even resorted to letting her cry (which I absolutely hate). At this point it seems that the only way she's getting sleep is if she's being held. When she goes down in her crib, she's up after 20 minutes (if it is daytime) or 2-3 hours (if it is nighttime).
"Put her down drowsy and help her learn to fall asleep on her own". Is this a joke? If I do happen to catch her while she's drowsy and put her in her crib, she opens her eyes even wider, looks at me and screams.
"Pat her back and shhh her until she settles down". Settles down? NO way. All she does is fight me until she is standing up on her crib clawing at me to pick her up, or screaming if I walk away.
"Wait 5, then 10, then 15 minutes before going back in". I hate this part. I have to admit that I usually never let it go more than 10 minutes - unless I'm at the end of my rope and about to pull my hair out. I heard once that excessive crying for longer than 10 minutes actually blocks oxygen from getting to the brain. Does she ever settle down? No, she just stands there and screams.
Maybe she's teething. Maybe it's a growth spurt. Maybe she's about to start walking. Maybe I've spoiled her. So many unknowns. When it's 4 am and I hear her wake up again for the 3rd time that night, it really gets to me. It starts making me doubt everything that I've done. Oh how I wish she could just tell me what she needs. 
Newborn sleep in the hospital
Only a few days old at home
Sleeping in the Bjorn at the park
Sleeping on the 4th of July
3 comments:
Awwwwww :( That is so frustrating....It wont last forever at least:(
I wish she could just talk!!! Was Ava's sleeping a lot better?
--Erica
Well, it's been a little while, how about a "therapeutic" update? Any new developments? She's such a darling while she's awake.
I enjoyed BOTH girls this weekend -- they are so sweet. Love, Gramma C.
oh Sarah, how I feel your pain. It seems like it will never end but it will. Remember Conor with his daytime naps... 30 minutes tops for months... then one day he just started sleeping 2 hours at a time for a nap. Now he is good to get an hour. It is ever changing. I just always tell myself "this too will pass". We are going to blink and they will be teenagers begging us to let them sleep in. Just try to focus on what a wonderful baby she is while she is awake!
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