Desperately need some sleep help...

My boys used to be good sleepers. They would go to bed at a certain time, fall asleep on their own and sleep through the night (most of the time).

7 weeks ago we moved into this apartment so I know the adjustment has been hard but they've progressively gotten worse over that time. Last night was the worst night EVER, and I mean since they were born.

Usually when they wake up, I've been going in there and grabbing them so they don't wake the other (bad habit, I now realize). Then it was happening more and more and being so pregnant I would just put them to sleep and lay them back in their cribs - a couple times a week we'd bring them in our bed if they just couldn't settle because I just can't take the exaustion.

So last night, I decided NO MORE! Connor started crying soon after we put him in bed. I let him CIO for about 15 minutes then went in there. He was so worked up he threw up on me :angry: So I took him out, changed him cuddled for a bit then put him down still awake and he fell asleep.

11:00 - Caleb wakes up so I go and grab him but end up falling asleep in the chair with him.
11:45 - Wake up and put him back in bed
11:47 - He's up screaming - send DH in there thinking *maybe* he'll settle for him - doesn't work and he just cries harder so we let him cry and he wakes Connor up pretty much right away
12:00 1:00 - I go in the room and pull the chair up, pat their bums to calm them, but don't pick them up. After an hour it seems to have worked and they're finally asleep
1:20 - both up screaming for me again
1:30 - out of frustration and being sooooo tired, I bring them in bed with us
2:00 - They're asleep so I pick them up and bring them to their cribs but they wake up right away so I just hold them until they fall asleep
2:30 - Back in cribs
3:00 - Time for me to finally get some sleep
6:30 - Connor up, I'm so tired I bring him in bed with me
8:00a - Wake up

This seems to be the trend EVERY NIGHT, only I have been cuddling them to sleep, putting them down and they're up again within 30-60 minutes.

What am I doing wrong? I can't take this anymore! I know they are getting their eye teeth, and we give them motrin and orajel before bed - what more can I do? This new baby is coming any day now and I'm about to have a nervous breakdown because I don't know if I can handle those nights!

Should I just CIO? I have such a hard time handling their crying in this small apartment, but we are moving into our house in 2 weekends so should I just wait and do CIO when we move? When they do CIO they don't just cry, they scream at the top of their lungs - the max I've been able to handle lately is about 10 minutes, but if it's going to work I'LL DO IT!


Please someone give me some advice, I'm desperate for some sleep at this point!

 

First off, I am so sorry you're going through this! I can't imagine being so pregnant and dealing with these issues. That said, your boys are dealing with a lot right now. They probably sense the change in mama, they're in a new place, and getting those eye teeth really does not feel good. My girls are getting the last of their eye teeth, and it's messing with their sleep a lot. I don't know if CIO is the best idea or will be effective in this situation, KWIM? I hate the idea that you'd have to CIO for several miserable nights now, and probably have to do it again when you move into the house. I wish I had some better answer for you, though. I would probably just bring the kids to sleep with me, but I understand that might not be so comfortable at 39 weeks, and probably not something you can maintain once the new baby arrives. Argh. I am racking my brains but the combo of wanting mommy only and being in a small apartment is stumping me. I hope someone else has a better idea.

If not, maybe you'll have a c-section and get a few extra days of rest in the hospital. Ha ha ha. I'm funny, right?

 

LOL- a few days ago I was thinking how much I would miss them when I was in the hospital - now all I can think about is the sleep I will get :lol:

The only problem I have with bringing them in bed with us is that we only have a double and there is no room left for me!

Maybe I should just keep up with the cuddles until a bit after we're in the new house and the baby is here?

 

Mine would do that when they had an ear infection. They wouldn't show any signs of hurting during the day, but boy did they at night! Don't know if yours have runny noses or not, but if it keeps up it wouldn't hurt to have the Dr check them out. I've hear alot about teething tablets, but I have never used them. That might be worth a try too.

 

I would try some Motrin for the teeth!! That might help! Also, I think it's the new apt. to a degree.....

You are going to add to the trauma by bringing Mason home. You need to work this out before he gets here..... have you tried a nightlight? Music that turns off on a timer? I would CALL YOUR PEDI and have them WORK WITH YOU!!! THIS IS IMPORTANT!!!!

 

I really don't have time to work this out - we are moving into a new house next Friday so it's going to happen all over again. I think I'll just cuddle them like usual and figure something out in the new house.

We have also been giving them Motrin and orajel but they just want to be comforted by me!

 

[SIZE=18pt]Hi,
I've been there and done that. If you are moving soon don't try to fix the problem until after. Then let them cry...get some earplugs.
For now make it a party. Get one of those color change nightlights for YOUR room and make them beds on the floor beside yours. They will be close, but still far enough away to let you sleep. Also get a soothing cd and play it ALL night. Enya worked for my girls. Just keep it low in the back ground.
Once you move you'll have some rought nights, but they will learn that they need to go to bed by themselves. Probably 3-4 days of crying. Again...get some earplugs.
I can utterly relate. The twins older sister is only 10months older. She slept but they never did.
Best of luck...if you want to talk further give me a shout sscv1976atmsn.com[/SIZE]

 

I would wait till you get into the new house, otherwise you will all be suffering twice. One thing I would get is a white noise machine, it should help. Are they too hot or too cold? I would look into that. I know you don't have time to deal but I know a good sleep specialist who does consultations over the phone. I can't even imagine how hard it is in your state.

 

QUOTE(JensBoys @ Aug 21 2007, 01:02 PM) [snapback]373485[/snapback]
LOL- a few days ago I was thinking how much I would miss them when I was in the hospital - now all I can think about is the sleep I will get :lol:

The only problem I have with bringing them in bed with us is that we only have a double and there is no room left for me!

Maybe I should just keep up with the cuddles until a bit after we're in the new house and the baby is here?


Holy cannoli - I feel squeezed with me, my husband, and occasionally both girls in a queen bed. I can't imagine adding a pregnant belly and taking away 1/3 of the bed! We slept on a double 3 nights at his aunt's house, and I was so grateful the girls slept through most of the night in the PnP. I hope you have a bigger bed in the new house.

And I hope the nights are at least a tiny bit calmer for you now that you posted about it. Sometimes that works for me.

 

Bless your heart!!

here's my opinion: I think I would just suck it up and do whatever you have to do to get thru the next week or so. Once your in your new house, set a bedtime routine and stick with it. Even if it means CIO. It's hard, but so worth it in the long run. they should be over the pain of teething by then, it usually only lasts a few days at a time, then subsides. If this is a constant thing, I'd say teething isn't your problem.

Once you have the baby, get into your new home, and get into a predictable routine, I think things will settle some. It won't happen overnight, but it will happen for you!

I also suggest, that when u are in the hospital, let the baby stay in the nursery over night so that you can catch up on some zzz! you'll have a fresh new outlook once you get a little rest!

Best of luck!