i can't take it anymore

[overcome]

I have posted numerous times about dd sleep issues. Today is one of those days I feel like I just can't take one more day of them.

She has been getting up at 4:30 AM. This is just too early. She takes her first nap by 8AM. Her naps rarely last longer than an hour.

I am tired of having to go to bed early.
I am tired of listening to her cry/wimper until I go get her at 5AM.
I am tired of having to take a nap when she takes her first nap.
I am tired of trying to figure out what I can do to "make" her sleep longer.
I am tired of reading sleep books.
I am tired of worrying about how I am going to get through a day of work (when I return in January) after waking up at 4:30am.
I am tired of being jealous of ppl who love to tell me their baby slept for 12 hours at night and took 2 two hour naps.
I am tired of having very little time to myself.
I am tired of being tired.

It felt good to get that out. I'm feeling a little better already.

Okay...off to watch sesame street and then, hopefully take a nap.

[dules]

I am so sorry. I think most of us have been there and it does get better. {{hugs}}

Mary

[mommyoftwo]

Sorry Ashley. I was actually thinking of you the other day because Linnea has started getting up earlier and earlier. When I got up with her at 5am the other day I thought to myself, I bet Ashley is up too. We travelled to an earlier time zone the weekend of the time change. It was awful. Linnea got up for the day 3:30am and didn't go down for a nap until we were travelling home late afternoon. I too go down for a nap early in the morning, but only if I can get Amelia to entertain herself in her room for a while and only if I can convince Linnea to take a nap. Someone called me at 9 am the other day and wanted to know why I was still sleeping. If they only knew that I had been up for several hours already and was taking a nap. Wow! I didn't mean to hijack. I just wanted to let you know that you are not alone. I hope things get better soon.

[wencit]

No advice, just sending you huge cyberhugs. Sleep issues truly suck. Sometimes I get so tired and frustrated, I just want to stuff my child back into my womb.

{{{Ashley}}}

[jhrabosk]

Hi Ashley --

I'm so so sorry! I know how you feel and I know we've commiserated before.

I don't know whether this would work for you or whether you'd be ok with doing it, but we finally found something that's working a bit...

When DD wakes up (at this point, between 5:30-6), we make sure she's not poopy and then we give her morning bottle. Dark room, no talking. Then we put her back in the crib and leave. Since our bathroom is right outside her door and one of us usually then gets into the shower, this doesn't always work during the week, but it generally buys us up to another hour or more on the weekend.

The other thing we've done is to leave a few soft toys in her crib...a lovey, a small taggies blanket, etc. Frequently, she'll wake up but won't cry...she'll play with her toys and talk to herself and sometimes go back to sleep.

I know you've tried so many things and are so frustrated! Big hugs and much psychic support coming your way!

[candybomiller]

Honestly, at one point, we considered moving to a different time zone so that Matt would be awake at a more appropriate hour. He's definitely an early riser too. When we went to DC, we missed breakfast every day because he was finally sleeping in later (even though at home it would have been the same time).

These days, I'm just thinking that at least it shouldn't be a struggle to get him up for school if he goes to school next year. Gotta find a bright side somewhere, right?!?

[ECMom]

Hugs to you. My colicky son never got up that early, but he didn't nap. So, you can imagine how he was by 5 pm each day. Kim West, who is a sleep specialist, worked for us - www.sleeplady.com. Check out her website & message board. We actually did the consultations when my son was 9-10 months old. I can honestly say that Kim saved my life.

[trumansmom]

(((Hugs)))

I really, truly understand. Truman was like that. We went to grocery store at 6:30 almost every Saturday, because it was the only place open. :(

FWIW, it did get better eventually. And if this gives you any hope, DD is a MUCH, MUCH better sleeper.

More (((Hugs)))

Jeanne
Mom to Truman 11/01 and Eleanor 4/04

[bubbaray]

I feel your pain. DD is 2.5 and hasn't slept throught the night YET. I'd start my own post, but I'm too tired. DH & I both work full time. I am terrified that this new baby won't sleep either. Honestly, I don't know what I'll do if that's the case. Run away, perhaps.

We've tried every book out there. Seriously, I now have a sleep library. None of them have worked. People keep telling me that she'll grow out of it, but I honestly do not know if DH and I will survive the interim. We're waaaay too old to be doing this.

:(

Yawn.

Melissa

DD#1: 04/2004

http://bd.lilypie.com/SasRm7.png

[overcome]

I want to thank everyone for their heartfelt replies. I know this won't last forever, but some days (like the day of my post) it just really gets to me. Most days I can deal with it.

I'm surprised people keep having babies when they go through this!! Seriously, we pretty much knew Mia would be our one and only b/c of our age etc, but this sleep stuff sealed the deal!!

Hugs to all you mamas who are suffering along with me. Who knew??!

Thanks

[KrisM]

I hope not to jinx us, but DS just started sleeping through, most nights. He's 2.5.

Fortunately, DD is a decent sleeper. Most nights, she's up 1 time or maybe 2. Compared to DS at this age, she's wonderful.

[KrisM]

I have no advice. Eventually, she'll grow out of it. Or, at least she'll go to college.