Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Ay, ay, ay.

This is what I look like right now. This shows how I feel right now. Tired. Worn out. At the end of my rope.

For the past few days, hubs and I have been trying to get Dylan to sleep unswaddled. He started out in his Miracle Blanket (the name says it all), and when he started pulling a Harry Houdini and managed to wiggle out, we graduated him to the Woombie. 

Now, he has started rolling around like crazy in his crib.

This causes problems, because he always ends up on his tummy, doesn't have his arms available to hold him up, and hasn't figured out that all he has to do is turn his head. Also, we've had him in a sleep positioner, but he even rolls over that! He's got crazy back-arching skills which allow him to roll over large things.

So, back to the no-swaddle. Poor lamb is so used to having his arms restricted during sleep that he doesn't know what to do now that they're free. He can't fall asleep, because he feels so different. We've tried everything to help him- rocking him to sleep (a big no-no in my book, since we want him to be able to fall asleep on his own), only swaddling his legs, wrapping him in a loose blanket swaddle that he could eventually wriggle out of.... and I'm at a loss.

It took us over an hour and a half to get him to take his evening nap. Dylan just couldn't fall asleep and was getting so over tired trying to sleep that he just had a meltdown. 

Any suggestions on how we can get through this naptime/bedtime nightmare?


Me and Dangerboy in happier times.

6 comments:

Ashley said...

We went through the same thing. There were several nights we got up almost every hour to go in and roll Josie onto her back again. We also tried the sleepsack and that didn't work. I finally decided it wasn't worth it. So, instead of teaching Josie how to sleep without the swaddle we decided to teach her how to turn her head when she was on her stomach. When Josie was awake but a little sleepy and wanting her pacifier we would hold it off to the side and only let her have it if she kept her head turned. It really made a difference and now if Josie rolls to her stomach she turns her head and I don't worry and she doesn't get scared and she doesn't wake herself up. It's not a perfect solution...I know at some point we're going to have to get her to quit using the swaddle (I don't think they make them big enough for toddlers)...but none of us are ready yet. Good luck!

Terri and Jack said...

Aww.. Chrissi! I feel your tiredness. Good luck on figuring out what to do. I wish I could help, but times were different when you guys were little. You started out sleeping on your tummies and that was just how it was. No swaddlers, no woombies, no sleep wedges. I'm sure you will figure it out, honey. In the meantime... get rest as you are able. Love you.

Sariah said...

I'm so sorry. That picture really does say it all, too. I think all moms have felt this way over one thing or another. :( *hugs*

I wish I had some good advice for you. The only thing I can think of is to make sure that he has a bedtime routine. It may not help with naps though. But do the same thing every night when he goes to bed so his body realizes it's sleepytime and cooperates easier. Baths are good for relaxing the body, so do that right before bed. Try the lavendar bath wash stuff... (Sorry, I have a cold and can't think...) I think it's Johnson's and Johnson's. It's supposed to help relax baby, too.

Good luck!

sarahbclark! said...

it's not fair that even your tired, end-of-the-rope picture is still beautiful. :(
but anyway, i hope you guys are able to figure something out! i know how much it sucks when babies won't sleep/ stay asleep.
ps, can you bring all your swimsuits to florida so we can share?

Unknown said...

YUCK! I so understand your face in the first pic! Do whatever works for you, but realize that they grow out of what you train them with SO fast that you should really do just whatever keeps your sanity! Danger will be fine!

And I think maybe teaching him to turn his head like Ashley said would be a great idea! HE so strong now he's not gonna die from sids or anything like that, so the tummy sleeping really isn't a big deal, i dont' think. Good luck! Maybe you should take a day off and go to get a massage or something, then your outlook will be much clearer!

Jasmyn said...

Oh, Chrissi! I'm so sorry. I guess the one nice thing is that these problems tend to go as fast as they came, right? I swear some nights I don't think Hannah will ever sleep again, but then she goes back to normal and I think she's the best baby ever. :)

Good luck - it'll all work out soon, I'm sure!