Right - what am I going to do with this little man?

[*Liz*]

EWs are back big style - came back a good 6 weeks ago 2 weeks after Megan was born. At first we thought she was waking him so we extended his nap to let him catch up on his sleep, and it started to take longer for him to get to sleep and the EWs got worse. He was sleeping 2-3hrs some days and TBH that has cut into his night sleep for a good 6 mths really...

So we capped his nap at 2hrs and the EWs continued, they reduced to 1.5hrs and things improved a tad but now we are getting OT NWings and EWs as well.

Seems like I can't win.

Plus there is the factor that Megan does sometimes wake him at 5.30am or in the night - but it certainly isn't every night that she is responsible.

I used to make him stay in his cot until 6.30am but he resists this hard now and I can't do WIWO as then he will wake Megan.

I kind of feel like my only option at this point is a routine tweak to get it as good as I can, and then allow a longer nap on the days that I am sure Megan did wake him.

Yesterday was
Awake 5.30am
Nap 12.15-2.15
Asleep 7.20pm (put down just after 7pm and went to sleep quite quickly for him).

Awake 5.45am this morning. There was a NWing at some point but can't remember what time. Seems I am always up with one or the other of them and it is a blur. But he was crying an we went in an resettled a few times over a 30 min period. I seem to remember it being after Megan had fed so maybe 1.30am?

Anyway - I really need him to NOT be doing this ATM. It is just too exhausting for me. The EWs are a PITA in their own right, but I can't have both them and NWings.

Any ideas?

Or more specifially - HELP PLEASE 

[shivi]

biggest hugs Liz

Oscar's chronic EWings started around 2 yrs and got worse and worse particulary around the time Emma was born and last spring/summer was HELL....up with her as a newborn and up with him around 4.40 for the day was NOOOOO fun.

I really played it by ear and did like you, allowing him to catch up when he needed it etc....

Oscar WAS older, almost a year older though....so in the end we cut his nap out on preschool days.....but that was at 2 yrs 7 or 8 mths....


Just big hugs and total empathy here xxx

[Tweakster]

Oy.  Sorry to hear this Liz.  These EW kids are really a struggle aren't they?

What about 2 year molars?

[*Liz*]

They are in the gums but nothing cutting, and haven't done anything for weeks as I have been poking around in there whenever he lets me  .

I tried dream meds one night and he resisted it (and it didn't stop the EW).

Could try the granules, I guess?

God - I'm not sure I have the stamina for a teething toddler and a refluxing 2 mth old!!

Not convinced that is the cause ATM though. He is eating as well - and J tends to stop when he is teething.

[koe2moe]

Liz, is it possible to try a later nap and let him sleep however long he wants and a slightly later bedtime?  When you cap the nap at 2h, how did he react when you woke him? 

[L76]

Just a thought, can't remember properly but did you recently post that he had come off medication for his reflux? Could that be related?

[Tweakster]

Liz, J does better with a long AM A time right?  I am thinking along what Koe is suggesting...do you think a later bedtime might help you here?  It has helped intermittently with Finn.  He's just so tired at that EW or after a NW that he makes it past 6.  What routine are you aiming for J?  Do you want him up at 6 or later?  Was he ever giving you 11 hours at night?

If he's not off his food I would likely rule out reflux or teeth - but then again he's older and wiser so anything is possible hey?

[MummyToBen]

Liz, I'm afraid I have no advice re the NW, but just wanted to send a hug (((()))) (Oh, and totally adore your new avatar - beautiful lo's)

xxx

[*Liz*]

He did stop his reflux meds recently but I don't want to assume that is the issue as he is eating (actually he is eating very well for him - and lots of food for him). But you are right - it could be that.

He is also very easy to settle which puts me off pain as well. And at the EW he just stands up - gathers all his cuddly toys and yells 'down down down'.

Koe - he always takes about 20 mins to come round after his nap no matter how short or long. He gathers his toys and we carry him and them downstairs and he watches a programme on the TV until he feels ready to go. But that would happen after a 3hr nap just as much as after a 1hr nap, and also if he woke himself.

I am happy with a 6-6.30am wake-up. He has done 11hr nights reliably from time to time. He isn't really a 10hr man certainly, neither is he a 12 hr man.

A later bedtime could help - I've been resisting as I need an early bedtime myself ATM - and to do both I would need to restructure the whole day so that I eat with J at 6ish.

How far could I push the am A really though? He is already doing 6-7hrs, with 5hrs afterwards. I pushed his am A to 6hrs at Christmas (so ages ago) to get a 2hr nap back. At that point he would short nap on anything less. These days he simply will not go to sleep earlier than 12pm regardless of whether he woke at 5am or not.

I do know that J will only sleep 12.5hrs out of 24 hrs. I was logging again before M and he was always within 15 mins of this either side. So I guess that means I either do a 1.5hr nap and *hope* for a 11hr night, or allow a 2hr nap, push bedtime out and see if that gives a later wake-up?

[Tweakster]

So I guess that means I either do a 1.5hr nap and *hope* for a 11hr night, or allow a 2hr nap, push bedtime out and see if that gives a later wake-up?

I guess I am thinking with the 1.5 hr nap, you may not get the 11 hr night then he's getting OT and probably crankier in the day because he's on less sleep, and less sleep to propel him through the long A times.  Not what you need with an infant to deal with.  So yeah, I would be tempted to push the morning a bit more to where you get a 2 hr nap or more and then do a later bedtime.  Make sure he's good and tired with a slightly elongated day just not OT - easier said than done I know but you know this little guy pretty well now so I think you could do it. 

He's sounding too rested at that EW to me.  I don't think you are going to get rid of it unless he's just too tired to pop up and start playing with toys.

But I would certainly be keeping an eye on reflux flaring at night and/or those pesky molars just irritating him enough to wake him up and keep him awake.

[*Liz*]

That makes perfect sense actually Wendy - it will be the 1.5hr naps and short nights causing the OT build up won't it  .

And you are right - he is wide awake at the EW. DH gets him up and he has asked for breakfast and assembled his train track by 5.45am  .

Sigh - it is looking like a 7.30pm bedtime and asleep for 8pm then. Time to rethink my entire evening!!

[L76]

Sigh - it is looking like a 7.30pm bedtime and asleep for 8pm then. Time to rethink my entire evening!!

No time for ironing then Liz...
Oh well  

[grace annes mommy]

Hi Liz,
Just here to drop off some (((HUGS))) and to listen in.  My DD has a very similar schedule/sleep needs and things have gotten super whacked recently.  Can't quite figure out how to tweak it all.  Wish I had some advice.  Here to support you.

[Tweakster]

Let us know how it goes xo 

[*Becky*]

Liz - I can't remember but have you tried a gro-clock or similar?