6.75month old horrible sleeper

[Erin M]

Hey hun, I'm on my way to bed, but wanted to let you know I'll check back in tomorrow. 

[jzozmom]

So yesterday our schedule was off due to doctor's apt.  Earlier nap to squeeze one in. So A time back to 2hr.  Here's what happened

E 6 BF
A 2hr solids at 7:40
S 8 to 9:30 1.5 hr
E 9:30 BF
A 2.5 hr solids at 11
S 12 to 2 
E 2 BF
A 4.5 hr solids at 4
S BF at 6 sleep at 6:30
E 9 BF woke up went back to bed after sleepy but not asleep
S until 2 stirred a little and slept until 2:35
E 2:40
S until 5 am
E put off eating until 6am to start day again

So weird so shorter A before first nap but longer A before second and I think too long A before bed.  But she slept the longest stretch at night we have had like ever.  9 to 2. 

[Erin M]

Not so bad of a night there.  It could be that she just needs a longer A to bed in order to sleep better -- all of my 3 did better when their A times were longer before BT -- your 9PM waking could have been an OT one, so maybe it was a little bit too long but it might be something to keep in mind.  I notice you got 3.5 hours of naps in -- the 2 hour nap on the 2.5 hours of A time is great! 

[jzozmom]

Yes Erin, I am definitely encouraged.  Today she got 3.5 hr of naps too.  I put her down with a first A of 2 hr 15 min and a second A of 2hr 30 min.  First nap 1.5 hr and second just about 2hr.  So now if the 9pm is overtired should I do an earlier bedtime?  Or is that kind of counterproductive because it may move up her other night wakings?  The way this schedule works is perfect for the school run.  I am afraid to give a catnap too close to bed. 

[Erin M]

So now if the 9pm is overtired should I do an earlier bedtime?

I'd try it and see if it makes a difference with the 9 PM.  I'll admit that sometimes with the school runs messing with things, you're going to have some OTness in there anyway, I honestly think my ds just got used to it after awhile.

Or is that kind of counterproductive because it may move up her other night wakings?

It actually helps sometimes -- the NWs shift earlier and actually make it easier to settle them sometimes (it's often those wakings in the small hours of the morning that are the hardest to settle).

[jzozmom]

Good news is daytime seems to be settling for us.  DD has strung a couple of good days together and praying that stays.  So she skipped the 9pm waking but woke at midnight.  Bed was at 6:45 because time got away from me but she got a 5 hr 15 min stretch.  Just too bad I don't go to bed to reap the benefit.  In fact I couldn't sleep and was awake at 12am so I fed her since this again was her longest stretch.  NW at 3 and I calmed her holding her and with paci.  NW again at 4 and did same to calm.  EW at 5:15 same.  Up for day at 6am.  She doesn't seem hungry and if you believe in the 5 types of cries from that guy I can't remember, she had the tired cry not hungry one. 

[Erin M]

So she skipped the 9pm waking but woke at midnight. 

Less OT from the day perhaps?

I could definitely believe a tired cry as opposed to a hungry one.  I'd still give your days some more time to settle and see if your nights improve on some consistent daytime sleep. 

[jzozmom]

Day was same yesterday.  Bed at 7, just how it worked out.  Didn't wake until 1:55, kind of sleepy cry, not really awake.  Tried to pat her back to sleep.  Around 2:35 still fussing and waking herself every minute.  Fed her since it was her longest stretch again!  Even though she wasn't outright crying, I knew it would put her back in a more sleepy state so I could go back to bed.  Then unless I slept through it, she did't start waking until 6:45 am.  Pressing my luck dh got her up and changed while I took a shower.  Feeding her now started 7:20.  Best day yet!

[Erin M]

Sounds great!  As she and you get more used to the longer stretches, I'd leave her unless she's crying like she needs you -- sometimes that fussing is just them settling back to sleep. 

[jzozmom]

Not as good last night but she didn't get as good naps because we were out running errands.  7 to 12:30 am slept woke crying and not settling so I fed her.  woke 4am waited until 4:20 to go in because she sounded like she was settling herself but just kept fighting.  Picked her up and gave paci because when I go in she goes from settling and a little whining to outright cry.  She wants me.  Settled her and then she woke up happy at7:30.  I let her play so I could get ready for church and she was still happy playing at 8 when I got her up.

[Erin M]

Picked her up and gave paci because when I go in she goes from settling and a little whining to outright cry.

Sometimes when they do this, it's because you've interrupted their self-settling efforts by going in there.  Keep sticking with that routine, it sounds like progress to me. 

[jzozmom]

Sounds great!  As she and you get more used to the longer stretches, I'd leave her unless she's crying like she needs you -- sometimes that fussing is just them settling back to sleep. 

Woke 12am and I tried to stay out but 20 mins later she was still fussing.  No outright cry, just every few seconds a whine or soft wail.  Don't know how long I should give her to settle so I went in and gave paci without picking her up.  Woke again at 2:30 went from fuss to strong cry so I went in and fed her after diaper change because it was sopping wet.  Then she woke at 5:57 so I got her up for day.

[Erin M]

Sometimes they'll take a night or two and fuss for a little while and eventually go back to sleep.  It's really up to you -- there's a chance that she'll go back sleep if left alone, but if it bothers you (or when it turns to "real" crying) I'd definitely go in. 

[jzozmom]

Rough one yesterday.  Cried her whole second nap away.  Only thing she wanted was to be up and held.  So earlier bed because she was so tired.  Up at 1, 2:30 and 3:15.  I fed her then and she slept til 6 when I got her up for the day.  Btw thanks Erin for all your feedback, despite this setback I know we are moving in the right direction.

[Erin M]

Hard to look at the big picture sometime, isn't it?  Glad things are moving in the right direction!