Saturday, January 30, 2010

What Happened?

Up until three nights ago, we had a nice little nighttime routine in our house. Miss M. was delightfully cooperative, and she would eat, have her diaper changed, then fall asleep for a nice 2.5 to 4 hour chunk of time. This was no light sleep, either, but a deliciously deep slumber that even allowed us to vacuum next to her without causing her to stir. She'd awaken somewhere around 11, 2, and 5, and I would end up reasonably refreshed from the chunks of sleep I got. Happily, she also took at least one nap during the day of equal quality and duration, allowing me to nap, too.

But then...

It all came crashing down. For the last three nights (and days), she has been sleeping for no more than 45 minutes at a time. After that, she becomes fussy and whines and fidgets in her bassinet. She is not quite awake when she does this, but it's impossible for us to sleep through. The only thing that makes her stop is picking her up. She no longer seems to fall into that nice, heavy sleep we used to so enjoy, even after we picj her up. And if we don't pick her up, her fussy whining becomes a full-blown meltdown of epic proportions.

I have no idea what happened. But, Ikd like to sleep for more than 45 minutes at a time, and I can't keep picking her up and holding her, as -'m getting so tired that I'm afraid I'll fall asleep while holding her (our bed, due to the mattress and bedding, isn't the ideal environment for a baby). I know it's been a full moon, and I'm hoping maybe that's the problem. But, any other suggestions out there?

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Could be the beginning of her 3 week growth spurt - where she knows something is different, but doesn't yet know that she needs to eat....I bet it's temporary!
-Carrie

stillhopeful said...

I, too, think it might be a growth spurt where she needs more feedings. I've found that to happen with my little girl, too, just when we get into a nice little routine, she changes it up. How frustrating! Good thing they're so cute! :)

One thing I've done to get some sleep while holding her, but not have to worry about having her in the bed is move the glider into our bedroom right next to the bassinet, and then nurse her in the glider, recline, and let her sleep on my chest while we both lay in the glider. It's been my savior!

Jamie said...

Our boy did the same thing around two weeks. At the suggestion of a friend, I moved him to his crib and he slept so much better.

We didn't have a real bassinet - we were just using the pack and play in our bedroom. I had my suspicions it wasn't real comfortable and that confirmed it.

I do blame a full moon for a lot of things, though . . .

ryanandjoesmom said...

Have you changed your diet at all? Perhaps added in more milk or onions or garlic? My guys were always sensitive to what I was eating. Could it be gas? Perhaps try some mylicon drops a couple times a day. Those would be my suggestions. I actually cut dairy out of my diet for a while during nursing and it helped a bit, but is such a pain.
Good Luck and hope you all get some more sleep soon!

Heather said...

Ugh. Poor thing, you both need some sleep. It probably is a growth spurt. Keep working on naturally guiding her back to sleep. It will get better. The first several months are such a sleep-deprived blur!

Darla said...

I have no advice ... but as too say WOW ... you'll get through this ... just like labor! So is this that all wrung out stage you've heard so much about? I did it in pieces with my twin through both her babies cause her ex was an ass and I played full time nanny, but it still wasn't quite fully what you're going through. It will be over in a blink.