8 mo. old starting over help

[mom2kaya]

My soon to be 8 month old has lost all signs of any kind-of easy schedule.  I went back to work when she was 6 months.  I'm sure I'm guilty of cuddling and rocking her for a while after that for both of our sakes.   

2 weeks ago, she had an ear infection and she has also been pulling herself up.  She was never a good sleeper(my 2 year old must have the sleeping trait), but she has lost all signs of easy.  She is waking up at night, she does not want to be put down in her crib, and taking cat naps, etc.

Where do I start?  She is still using a pacifier and I'm wondering if that's part of the problem. ie. it falls out of her mouth.  I weaned my older daughter at 5 months.  Should I start there?  Or should I try to get her to fall asleep in her crib and worry about the paci later?  Sorry for rambling..I'm a little sleep deprived.

[lyndsy_p]

Hi...is the paci a prop? Is she waking to be replugged, or is she waking out of habit? If the waking is at the same time each night it is probably a habit. My LO is almost 7 months old and still uses a paci, and sleeps through most of the time (except when she's OT or teething of course ).

I would start one day at a time! I too am a back to work mom, and I know how hard it can be. {{Hugs}} Start with a consistant wake up time and go from there. Here's a link that shows some examples of EASY at your LO's age.

https://babywhispererforums.com/index.php?topic=10386.0

Then work on naps because it does affect nightsleep. Milestones are brutal on naps and nights. Do the best you can to make sure she is getting enough daysleep so it's easier for her to settle and sleep less fitfully at night. A consistant winddown will help you do that. You say she doesn't want to sleep in her crib? Where does she sleep now? What is your winddown like?

Lyndsy

[mom2kaya]

Thanks for responding. Let's see if I can answer all of your questions. I'll try to go in order of the night!   

Our bedtime routine is bath, bottle, and books.  Then, we used to pop her in the crib and leave.  Now, it's I try to put her down and she screams.  I'll pick her up, replug, stand with her until she stops and put her down.  Even if I wait until she's asleep as soon as I put her down she's screaming again.  I HAVE crawled in her crib with her and she will fall asleep.  Sort-of crazy I know. 

She is not waking up at a consistant time.  It started once a night, but now is about three times during the night.  I can't just walk over and put her paci in either.  She's usually sitting or standing and screaming. She will not stop unless I climb in the crib or rock her until she is asleep.

I don't remember my first dd being this stubborn! 

I hope I answered everything.

 

[lyndsy_p]

Wow that's commitment man...in the crib!

I'd have to say that it sounds like a little bit of SA mixed with the Milestone Monster. The best thing is consistancy with naps. What do those look like right now?

Have you checked out the PU/PD board? Or you could do WI/WO.


Lyndsy

[elmarie]

Hi mom2kaya,

Would you mind posting us your current routine and can you let us know what you do when she wakes at night