A couple weeks ago I wrote a post about how we were having a difficult time with Isabelle sleeping at night, napping during the day, and just being fussy in general. I ended up not publishing it because it was whiney and complainey and comical and I think I wrote it mostly for my own therapy.
But that was a few weeks ago. And now it’s not really that funny anymore. Since then it has only gotten progressively worse and I’m starting to run out of ideas. I think she is hard core teething, which is contributing to this whole thing, and I know this transitional homelessness doesn’t help, but it’s like sometimes it seems like her tummy just hurts her and I hate that I can’t help very much. I’m a fixer, you know? I like to fix things and usually I can figure it out and make it work better.
I never thought I would say this, but I feel more tired now than I did when she was a newborn. Sometimes she wakes up 5 or 6 times at night and it just isn’t conducive to any sort of REM sleep cycle. I know I’m not functioning as I normally would, and I definitely don’t LOOK as I normally would. Bless Jazz for still loving me.
After witnessing some of my frustration this weekend, my good friend reminded me that this too shall pass. I know it will. I know the day will come when I will miss this stage of Izzie’s little life and wish with all of my might to revisit it for a minute so I can nibble her baby thighs and kiss her soft cheeks. I know there are lots of mothers out there who don’t have help like I do, who don’t have healthy babies, or can’t afford financially to stay at home. I recognize that this is a privilege, and I embrace it as my calling on this earth. It is a full time job and I love being a mother- but like any job, sometimes it’s just hard. Usually, after a good cry and some time on my knees pleading for guidance, I feel better.
Anyway, I am hoping that after we move and get settled, we will be able to help Isabelle sleep better during the night so she is happier during the day. Until then, I’ll be wearing my sweatpants and uggs pretty much all day long.
Of course, I am more than open to suggestions. Things we have tried so far: mylicon drops, baby tylenol, baby orajel, sensitive formula, nutrimagen, every pacifier ever manufactured, feeding her more, feeding her less, feeding her solids, feeding her cereal, letting her cry, swaddling and rocking her, having a schedule, having many short naps, having a few long naps, playing her music, various other song and dance routines. You get the idea.
the sorensen six 
Micci-I know how you feel! All my babies were great sleepers but Emma is seriously a crazy one right now. I am not sure if I will ever miss this stage. Honestly. I did use this book called “The Contented Little Baby Book” by Gina Ford. It is hard core British scheduling at its best but has worked on every baby it has ever been used on. Just a thought!Good luck!!!
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i don't know what to tell you; you have tried a lot of things! max always seemed really uncomfortable trying to sleep when he was new. it took me a sadly long time to figure out that his problem was just reflux, so we tilted his mattress and then he did lots better. i don't know if that will apply in any way to isabelle since i'm guessing that if she had reflux problems you would know about it and have mentioned them. but hey if you are willing to try anything…? that's all i've got! it wouldn't hurt to try it anyway, and it would eliminate that variable at least.
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You've listed about everything I would have tried except… sometimes there is just too much stimulation. Especially if you are in the middle of moving AND she might be teething. Maybe music was just too much for her. Try a fan or other white noise (vacuums always worked for my kids, too, but the fan was better for longer time frames). Point it toward the ceiling and try it on the low setting first, then move up the speed if that doesn't work. Another thing, if she's trying to sleep too much during the day, maybe try more stimulation then… take her out of the house, play with her on the floor with her toys, etc. One last thing, have you had someone give her a blessing? And yourself? I know I'll be back in this phase soon enough again, so I'll say good luck and hopefully it ends soon!
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My son is 7.5 months and has never been a good sleeper. At daycare he will take about 2 20 minute naps the whole day. It seems like the less good sleep he gets, the harder it is to get him to sleep. I know many people are uber against this, but the only thing that seem to work for getting him to nap (on weekends) is if I pull him in bed with me. I put one of those toddler rails up in our bed so he wont fall off the bed. If I want to get up, I can usually move him to the crib after he has been sleeping about 5 minutes and he stays asleep for 1-2 hours.At night, we watch him closely to make sure he is just starting to rub his eyes. If we put him down too soon, he won't sleep, but if we wait too long he won't sleep either. We did the “ferberizing” even though I had been really against the idea, it actually seemed to work for the most part and I was desperate. Now he usually goes to bed around 8pm with minimal fussing as long as he goes down in the window mentioned above and then wakes up at 3ish, if we let him cry for about 30 min then, he usually goes back to sleep. Then he gets up for good around 5. Sometimes I can't take the crying and pull him in bed the first time he gets up, but he goes right back to sleep, then he wants to get up at 5 and eat.
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Gripe water. I used to get it at the health food store. And breathe! Give yourself a time out & let her cry if you need to.
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Bring her over to your sister in laws and go on a date with your husband! (We need the practice anyway 🙂 )
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I'm so sorry that you aren't getting sleep. I am a grouch without sleep. Is she in your room? Move her out. I'm sure you are getting good advice.On another note though, I'm so excited that you have met your goal for weight loss. I wish I could light a 180 under me to get me going. Good job!
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