Friday, January 22, 2010

Who Needs Sleep?

So our darling angel-by-day transforms into a shrieking stinker by night. (Sounds a lot like Shrek to me.) With both London and Brandt, I could sleep through the cries, no problem. But Khyah's little wail just strikes me in the depth of my bosom and I jerk out of sleep like a Mexican jumping bean (and those things are real, in case anyone wondered).

I have been Little Miss Grumpy Pants all week, and soon, I feel certain my brain will enter shut-down mode to preserve what little battery I have left. And then where will I be?

So, in desperation, I am going to let her cry it out. Multiple sources tell me I need to let her cry it out. I need to put my foot down about midnight snacks. She can sleep 8 hours in a stretch and all this should only take 3 days.

We never did this with the boys because London would throw-up which I couldn't deal with (that and his daddy's a big softy), and Brandt was always a pretty good sleeper---he doesn't take naps . . . but at least he sleeps at night.

So, all you experts out there . . . what did you do to get your baby to sleep through the night? Any suggestions? Coping strategies? Name of the store you bought earplugs? Because I'm having visions of white coats and white walls while I shriek to anyone who'll listen: "SLEEP?! I DON'T NEED NO STINKIN' SLEEP! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA!" (You'll have to make the laugh sound as maniacal as you can in your own imagination.)

6 comments:

Janet Johnson said...

First Attempt:
2 1/2 hours of crying. Rick left to sleep on the couch. Discovered the next day she was coming down with a cold. I feel like a heel.

Shelli (srjohannes) said...

that is so hard!!! so sorry you are going through it but it will get better.

Janet said...

I always gave in and took them to be with me. Love, Mom

Leanne said...

Let me know if you find something that works. Camilla is still waking up at night also and they are the same age! I had a friend that recommended a book, something about How to get your baby to sleep 12 hours by 12 weeks (of age) but I didn't write down the title when she told it to me months ago. At the time Cami was doing pretty well with her sleep habits, but since she's now the longest running baby still in our room (others were gone by 5 mos at the latest). Whew--long comment. Sorry. :)

Melanie said...

Ah, I miss you! : ) I need to read your blog more often--it's so fun! : ) OK, so advice . . . try it again after the cold. I think Livi was the longest in-parents-room sleeper at around 6 or 8 months . . . but the Ferber crap is just crap--don't go in and console her and then leave again. That's worse torture than the white room and shrieking mom. : D And remember, she'll be out before her junior prom, so worst case scenario is only about seventeen more years . . . mwah hahah hah >: )

Janet Johnson said...

Melanie, you are great! Out by junior prom. Got it. :)