Lack of Sleep

ccwalker_uwp wrote: Does anyone have any suggestions on how to get a least a little more sleep? Both my wife and I are at our wits end, have been getting very little sleep, and are becoming very crabby/unhappy. I just don't know what to do. Help!!
-Matt

stella6979 replied: I'm assuming you're tired cause you have a new baby? If so, is there anyone that can maybe watch him/her for a few hours so you can catch up? Or you could always do shifts.

MommyToAshley replied: I agree... can grandma come watch the baby for a few hours or spend the night. It's amazing how much difference just one night of good sleep can make. We also took shifts, so that helped some.

And, hang in there.... this stage doesn't last forever. And, believe it or not, you will actually miss those sleepless nights when you were up rocking the baby.

TheOaf66 replied: welcome to parenting with a new baby

Boo&BugsMom replied:
Yep! It is definitly a life changing experience.

Sleep while the baby sleeps...that was the best advice every given to me.

moped replied:
How do you do that with an older child?

grapfruit replied:
Tie him to a chair?

oOo, he may scream, make sure you put the chair out in the yard where you can't hear him.

holley79 replied:
Naw moped's little one would get out of the chair.

Hillbilly Housewife replied: Oh Casey.

That's up there with my answer when my mom asks me who's wathcing the kids when I'm out: "oh they're fine. They're chained to their bed, they have a bottle of water and a box of cheerios."



What worked for us, with our first, is having him in one of those battery operated swings, next to our bed, with the tv on and baby einstein playing. He'd be quiet, we'd get 20 minute power naps.

Boo&BugsMom replied:
Send him to school! Jack still takes naps too right? You can nap when he naps I suppose...you are still the sleep nazi right Jen?

moped replied:
I think I will always be the sleep nazi - yes he still naps, but I hope he can keep that up for another while yet - UGH, otherwise he will have to have quiet time in his room

Mommy2BAK replied: I agree with whoever mentioned the infant swing... that did wonders for my sleep.

Boo&BugsMom replied: Oh...and FYI, I didn't mean send Jack to school, I said that because Tanner went to school and now it's me and A. I don't know if that made sense.....ugh.....see this is what I sound like when I didn't get much sleep. Maybe I should nap now while Aiden is asleep......perhaps follow my own advice.

moped replied:
I totally know what you meant -

Calimama replied: Shifts! That way you're both getting sleep at some point.

Boo&BugsMom replied: Oh, a few more things...Tanner loved to sleep on our chests. Aiden LOVES his swing. It's a cradle swing that lays flat, like a hammock. Although, he's starting to get too big for it...drats! Both boys love music while they sleep, white noises, nature sounds. Swaddling too! Of course, this is assuming you are having issues with the little one sleeping and you not sleeping as a result of it.

moped replied:
Well Jack was a horrible sleeper and I was bagged by about 3 months old, so he CIO. Then things were good. I really hope the big guy doesn't send me another sleepless child to manage

TheOaf66 replied:
i agree, then I don't have to hear how tired you are tonight

Boo&BugsMom replied:
Well they say every one is different Jen, so maybe you'll get really lucky and the little gal will sleep all the time for ya!

Boo&BugsMom replied:
I can't, Tanner is out of school in less than an hour and I have to go pick him up.

TheOaf66 replied:
excuses excuses

grapfruit replied:
Jennie, maybe you can tie TROY to the chair?

TheOaf66 replied:
sounds like something that belongs in P and I

Kaitlin'smom replied:
so expected coming from YOU

grapfruit replied: Maybe I should of said "and leave him in the yard"