Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Sending out an S.O.S






I have a chock full of ranting to do this morning.. so please bear with me...I'm exhausted , and at my wits end! I don't know what else to do about Goobie's, middle of the night wakings, she is now 17 months and she still does not sleep through the night! I thought this stage would be over with when she turned 1, but I've yet to see any relief. I've tried just about everything, from establishing a night time routine, giving her a bath before bed, setting a quiet, dimmed light environment, but nothing works...the problem isn't so much getting her to sleep, but her waking up at least twice a night for feedings! She wakes up like clockwork, at 2am and at 4:30am because she wants her bottle.

Her pediatrician keeps telling me that she does this out of habit, and that I just need to ignore her requests when she wakes up, because she needs to figure out another way to soothe herself to sleep...OK advice taken and put into practice many a times, but it still doesn't work! I mean how long should I let her cry her little heart out until she finally gives up (although she doesn't after an hour of crying, and me crying silently)?! Now, I know what you're thinking... she's working her! and perhaps she is but what else am I to do?!!

I am aware that sleeping with a bottle can be detrimental for her... and so I figured that if she's thirsty, she'll drink anything right? Wrong...I've tried to trick her by giving her a few ounces of water with a tinge of juice (I'm really big on the no sugar or very minimal sugar thing) but she actually looks at the bottle and grunts and gives it back to me! as in saying, this is not MILK!! so off I go, in my sleepwalking, zombie mode to the fridge for milk... knowing that that is the only thing that will appease her and we will all be able to catch a few more hours of sleep until her next waking

So that in a nutshell is the end of my ranting ::sighing:: and now I'm sending out an S.O.S to see if any of you whether you're a parent or not, have a suggestion, idea, anything that may help me fix this problem...Thanks a bunch darlings...::yawning and putting head down on desk::

6 comments:

The Glamorous Housewife said...

I followed the 'No Cry Sleep Solution'. Worked for me but took about 2 months.

Thanks doll,
The Glamorous Housewife

Miss Go Lightly said...

Oh wow, a no cry solution?! I've already been through a year of sleepless nights, I've no qualms about putting a few more if there's a method that will put an end to it finally :) Thanks hun, I'll definitely look into your suggestion :)

Unknown said...

My youngest is 8 now. I can't remember how we handled her when she would wake up like that. Maybe because I was a walking zombie for two years. LOL!

Miss Go Lightly said...

Dad- LOL! =D

Ginger said...

I agree with the "No Cry Sleep Solution". It's a great book for those who prefer non-crying-it-out methods.

I would swap out the milk for a bottle of water that she can keep with her at night. I know she want's the milk but if she is thirsty the water will suffice.

Also, some toddlers tend to wake through the night until around 2 or 3ish. I know, that sucks! But the key is to help them learn to self soothe, which is possible with out them crying it out.

((((hugs!)))) I'm a fellow sleepwalking zombie.

BTW, you have been awarded with the Over The Top Blogging Award! I love your blog. I just do! I sense a kindred spirit in you =o).

Miss Go Lightly said...

Missus Domestically Challenged, the book is on its way! No, please don't tell me that I still have another two years of sleepless nights! boo! Bah, but it's all worth it in the end I'm sure :) and about swapping the bottle with water..believe me I've tried, she looks at it and throws it or gives it back to me! LOL but I will try again! Thank you for the hugs doll, much appreciated, and hugs right back at you fellow sleepwalking zombie mama!

p.s. Awe, thank you so much for my first blog award!