Sunday, November 6, 2011

Needed: Nocturnal Nanny

Jack is still sick.  So am I.  So is BJ.  We've had to cancel all kinds of fun plans this week, with all kinds of fun people, and it's getting extremely old.  I skipped a good friend's baby shower, because I didn't want to risk giving the mom-to-be influenza (which is what I suspect this might be, given the duration and the symptoms, unless we just have two different virii - one head cold and one stomach bug - that we're passing around and around and around).

The last two nights, Jack has decided to be awake for HOURS in the middle of the night.  Friday night, he was up from like 11:30 to 2:30.  Bright eyed, bushy tailed, completely disinterested in sleep.  Last night it was more like 10:15 to 12:30.  Same thing.  Happy go lucky baby.

We haven't changed anything in the whole evening routine.  He's just not sleeping.  And although one would think that missing several hours of sleep would result in exceptionally good naps the next day, one would be sorely disappointed.

I googled, of course, and it seems that when a baby is starting to walk they tend to do this.  I'd imagine that it's some combination of learning to walk/not getting as much activity during they day because everyone is sick/being sick himself/painful ears?/possible teeth?/trying to drive Mommy and Daddy insane with sleep deprivation.

My friend Monica has been recommending The Sleep Lady, and I'm almost desperate enough to drop the $50 to get her ebook (Seriously?!?! Way to take advantage of desperate parents, Sleep Lady!  I'll bet you're laughing all the way to the bank!).  Monica's daughter is 2 weeks younger than Jack, she sleeps in her own crib from 7 pm - 7 am, and she does not require "nursing down" the way Jack does (and the girls did when they were babies).  I've seen it - they put her in her crib and she walks around for a minute, then lays down with her little tush in the air and goes to sleep.  It's like a miracle.

We need a miracle in this house.  After 7 years of sleep deprivation, I'm at the end of my fragile little rope.


6 comments:

Kathryn said...

Although I am sure this is not PC - I have been called the "sleep Nazi" by some at my house - OK it' s just the kids that call me that. I will provide sleep coaching for the low cost of a bowl of your fabulous chicken noodle soup (we just polished off our batch of it for lunch today). I have several tidbits of knowledge that might help but didn't want to give unsolicited advice. Call me if I can be of service. Love ya and want you to get some sleep!
Aunt Kathryn aka the Sleep Nazi

Cathie said...

I recommend "Baby Wise", which you can probably find at the library. It teaches you how to sleep train a baby from infancy. I know Jack is almost a year, but I bet the concept would still apply. Except, he'd cry a lot more because you've already created a different pattern for him. It's what we did with Derek. He went to sleep on his own and slept from 10pm to 4am starting at 5 weeks, and by 5 months was sleeping from 8am to 8pm.

Kathryn said...

I would not recommend Baby Wise. It has some very controversial methods in it. If you want a time and Aunt tested book read "Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child" by Marc Weissbluth, M.D. I read this book and used it's methods with Kelly when she was little - I wish I had started earlier than the 1 year mark with her but hind sight is always 20/20. I refered back to it when she was older and had horrible night terrors. It worked flawlessly for her. I donated the book to the library when I was sure I was done having kids. Well, I repurchased it again in 2001 when Ian surprised us. It worked great for him, and I started it way earlier than 1 year so it was a lot easier on me. I have now lost the book (probably loaned it out to someone) but am going to repurchase it again - this time for my kindle - becasue it has rally good information on sleep disturbances and Ian has had some really scary sleep walking episodes. So there is my 2 cents worth.

Amy said...

How odd that you mention sleepwalking - I was just talking to my friend on the phone and she said that her little boy (he's 6 - kindergarten) has been sleepwalking too! Wonder what's up with that??

Step 1) we all have to get healthy before we can do anything.

Step 2) ?????

Step 3) Sleep. I hope.

Kathryn said...

Better sleep leads to a better immune system so fewer illnesses. Hmmm ... sounds like viscous circle???

Cat Davis said...

I completely and totally feel for you! We're going through the same pass-around head cold and some strange stomach bug that includes spontaneous vomiting. (lovely right?)

Ugh.

I wish I had some advice for you on the sleep issues. I spent the last 3 years so sleep deprived I have recollection of what worked and didn't. I just zombie walked through it all :)