When will I ever get to sleep again?

The girls are still getting up 4-6 times each night. They get 20+ oz of formula during the day, so they don't technically 'need' more. We used 6 bottles during the night. The worst part was, the bottles didn't help them sleep. We put them back in their beds and they would cry for no less than an hour. They took turns all night. Nobody got any sleep.

Please, if you've been here or have any suggestions, please, we are desperate. We cannot continue to function like this. I feel like I have 2 newborns, not 9 month olds!

 

Are you opposed to doing CIO? That's my first thought reading your post. I think it may be time to try it if you are comfortable. 9 months is a good age IMO.

 

Not opposed to CIO at all...that's what the hours of crying were last night. We need to wear ear plugs tonight because they are so loud.

 

:hug: I am so sorry. That sounds miserable. My boys just started STTN at 9 months, but they were not up 4-6 times either. I would look into a sleep solution book and go with it. Either think about CIO or a no-cry sleep solution that works for you and your family.

Oh, and I cant believe Aurora and BK are 9 months old. :woah: Werent they just in the NICU yesterday?

 

Are they still sharing a crib? I had to separate my boys because they were disterbing each other.
Do they roll in their sleep? My boys slept SO much better on their belly and I moved them to their belly at 9w. They had full head control on could move off of the mattress.
Are they getting solids? I know people say they do not sleep any better, but that is not the case with my two. At nine months, people have told me that they will be eating two meals a day.

How about pushing as much formula you can during the day? But it sounds like a CIO may be your best option.

I am sorry about all the questions. I feel so bad for you....I would be in a world of hurt because we got over the sleep deprivation at 9w.

Good luck,
Jenn

 

Oh! It will probably be better tonight. I recommend the ear plugs - or turn down the monitor and try to distract yourself (we had ones with lights so we could look occasionally and see if they were still crying without having to listen to it constantly). It does work, so just be consistent and in a few days you will be snoozing away (and so will they!)

 

I know, hard to believe isn't it? Time truly does fly!

They haven't shared a crib for 7 months and came home from the NICU sleeping on their tummies. They get cereal for breakfast and then two other solid meals. They are on mostly finger foods because they no longer want to eat anything from a spoon. They eat really well. Green peas, avacado, toast, cheese, bananas, sweet potatos, etc. They get the recommended amount of formula during the day, so I don't think they wake up 'hungry' but use the bottle to soothe.

We don't even use a monitor! haha! I might turn it on tonight though just for the lights and put in ear plugs.

Thanks ladies, I just needed to share. I'm so tired and DH is tired too. We're running on fumes.

 

Sounds like it just needs a couple days of CIO! Keep us posted on how it goes.

 

How many naps are they taking during the day and for how long? Maybe try dropping one.

 

I would do CIO. It sounds like they are waking out of habit and they are really enjoying your company. It only took us 2 nights of CIO and we saw a big improvement!

 

They've been on 2 naps for about a month now. Usually 1.5 hours in the morning and 2 hours in the afternoon. Lately, they're fighting the morning nap so hard, but there's no way I'm willing to drop that one yet. They're too young, right?

 

I would stick with two naps and keep consistent times for everything every day. So get up at the same time, eat meals and the times, naps at the same times, bedtime routine starting at the same time and into bed at the same time. If they tend to wake around 7, make that your consistent wake up time every day, etc. I could never do full blown cio so what I did was give them 15 min from when they first woke up (or were put down). If they were still crying after 15 min, I'd go in with very little light, no eye contact, no talking and just check them. I wanted to be sure they weren't stuck, didn't have a fever or dirty diaper, etc. I would make sure they had their lovies, pat/shh for a second and leave. Then waited another 15 min and reevaluated the crying. If it was still hardcore, I'd go back and do it all over again. Rarely did they go past that second time. And really watch the clock. When they are crying, a minute feels like half an hour. Just be consistent with how you choose to handle the wakings and they'll catch on. Maybe you and dh can take shifts tonight so that you each get a chunk of sleep without having to listen for the babies.

 

It really sounds like you have only one option....CIO! I am so sorry! The first night we listened to 7 hours and every night got better and better. I am having to do CIO at naps now. If they are not on their backs screaming because they can't get back on their tummies I don't touch them. They cry for less than 10 mins.

Keep us posted,
Jenn