Sleep, Still Elusive

It's early and I slept, oh, not at all last night. After a few days of sleeping pretty well, last night Tori gave us another run for the money. While camping, she woke up three times a night or so, but usually with an hour or two between wake ups. Last night she was up about five times in a two hour period (and up for a 45-minute stretch in the middle of that). She has an amazing gift of knowing just the moment I'm about to doze off--and choosing that moment to cry. Not good for a life-long insomniac like me.

Honestly, I don't really mind getting up a few times a night, but the twenty-minute intervals are kicking my ass. Luckily, I got a fair amount of sleep while we were away (especially at the hotel--where I slept in my own bed for the first time in years and years) so I'll probably make it through today. But last night I had the worst case of restless leg syndrome I've had in years (starting after Tori finally fell asleep), and I was up until dawn. Charlie was nice enough to take care of Tori this morning when she decided it was a good idea to wake up at 6:30 am (and I say he was nice enough because I know he was tired too and I kept him up with my thrashing about and he's been getting sick--not because it's especially different from what he does on a daily basis), so I slept for an hour or so this morning.

I'm sorry to keep complaining, but it's really getting a bit nuts. I just can't seem to break this cycle for more than a few days at a time.

One quick shout out--Amyinmotown, your "five things" trick really rocked. Thanks. It really helps me relax.

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In my ongoing quest for interviews, today I need CHEFS. And people with an MBA. If you are willing to answer a few quick questions for me, just leave me a note in the comments! Thank you...

Comments

[maggie]

My daughter has started that game too - she was up from 11pm to 2am the other day - woke up a few times last night too - I am at my wit's end and so damn tired! I actually dont require a lot of sleep but at the same time, I do need some! I looked on line for all the tricks - of course they all say "ENJOY THIS TIME" give me a break! I am exausted! I love my babygate (I call it the cage) and she hates it sometimes and loves it other times - but it is a lifesaver for me!! If you figure out how to get them to sleep then please let me know! Maggie

[Jennifer]

I've had similar problems with my 6 month old and then I read "Sleeping Through the Night" by Jodi A. Mindell, Ph. D, and incorporated some of her ideas. It helpe dus a lot.

That being said the little miss is going through a growth spurt and is waking a lot more to nurse like she's starving so no sleep for me again.

[Kermit]

Let's have an insomniac party. Thankfully, I don't have crying kids or babies to deal with (am blessed with great sleepers, they only need me once in a blue moon and I often turn to the bench), but I'm not sleeping, either. This makes me a bad mother during the day.

[Katy]

My son, who is the same age as Tori has been waking frequently in the night and staying awake for long stretches - 2 hours sometimes. He ALWAYS wakes up at 615am, so we've found that putting him to bed a bit later - around 8 - means that he'll sleep a 10 hour stretch (usually) instead of waking in the middle of the night. I think he just needs to sleep less than we were trying to get him to. So now he gets about 9-10 hours at night and about 2-3 in the day. I still don't love the 615am wake up, but at least I get the night wake-up free. Assvice aside, I know how awful the insomina is, and there's something psychologically shattering about having the baby wake you when you're just falling asleep. But hang in there - lots of people tell me that it gets better around the 13-15 month mark!

[justdawn]

Hey, Cecily...That Guy I Married is on a low dose parkinson's medication to combat his RLS...and it was worked WONDERS!!!

[Donna]

Is "close" co-sleeping an option you've considered? (I mean actually where you are in contact w/her body frequently.) Edwin (14 mo) usually sleeps far better when he's between us. I catch him sometimes... what he does is wakes up, checks to see if we are around, and then actually goes back to sleep. In like 30 seconds. But if we are away, it's "wwwwwwwaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa"

Your sleep needs may not permit it, but just in case you haven't considered it yet...

[Jennifer]

I have an MBA. Free to answer your email tonight if you still need me.

[Amy]

My daughter was sleeping through the night with regular naps by around 8 months. That lasted until around 20 months, so a solid year, until she decided that every time I left the room she was going to FREAK THE FUCK OUT.

So I got in the habit of sitting in her room and rubbing her head until she fell asleep and bringing her to my bed when she'd get up at night.

After a couple of months of that, I decided I'd had enough and she was going to deal with it because she knows good and well how to fall asleep on her own.

Her answer to this was to learn to climb out of her crib. Deftly. I thought I was going to pull out every last strand of my hair. Now not only was she not sleeping, she was getting out of her bed and screaming.

I finally called my pediatrician and she told me to convert her crib into a toddler bed (so she wouldn't get hurt climbing out) and put up a gate so she couldn't get out of her room.

That lasted all of 2 minutes before she scaled that gate. I had to get another gate, one without the plastic webbing, to keep her in.

But it seems to be working, because the girl only screamed for 18 minutes before going to sleep in her room at nap time today. (Which is a much better than the hour long screamfest I've been experiencing at nap time lately - even when I'd sit in her room with her.)

Not that any of this applies to you, just figured I'd share so you would know YOU ARE NOT ALONE!

Viva la Sleep!

[Ally]

Like, CHEF chef? Or does someone who works in an institutional setting count?

[Alison S]

My husband has an MBA. I doubt I can get him to answer your questions directly, but if they are things I could ask him for you, while he lies in front of the TV twitching, I'm very glad to be of help to you. Oh, and if he counts, being English.

[Lisa S (aka Stolidoli)]

Wait - professional chefs with MBAs? Or people with MBAs and then also professional chefs?

My husband has an MBA - he'll answer your questions, but he's an engineer, not a chef.

I am not a professional chef but am quite the chef nonetheless...if you just had questions for people who really like to cook and think they do it well, for free, then you can aks me too.

[Mary]

I, too have TERRIBLE RLS. However, I have tried several meds for it and they all make me feel like complete crap all the time- but I sleep well!

Have you found any good remedies?

[Kerrie]

Hi Cecily...

I happened across your blog via another I read often and reading it is a highlight of my day...!!!

Now, do you need professionally trained chefs, or will a self trained cook do..?? I worked as the cook in a long daycare centre for 9 years and have extensive catering experience.

Would be happy to help out if I can...

[Jen]

MBA here...am happy to answer any questions!! Love your site.

[Dana]

MBA here. I have RLS too does that count??

[ladykuri]

I agree with whoever it was that suggested playing around with bed and nap times a bit. My daughter does the constant wake thing if she's too tired at bedtime, but I've also known kids that did it because they were actually getting too much sleep too.

You poor thing, here's wishing you a wonderful night tonight!

[Amanda]

I have an MBA, email if you still need people.

[Coral]

RLS - I have found a soak in the bath helps, and I only get it if I haven't had a bath in a while - something to do with the relaxing?

Have you tried CIO - I hated it with mine when they were little, but mommy has to stay sane!!

[dawn]

I'm sure you've heard this all before, but I've been told (and witnessed first-hand with my own daughter) that otherwise great sleepers will suddenly go through a period of terrible sleeping just before hitting a HUGE milestone. For us, the month before our Amanda started walking was the worst sleeping month EVER. But once she got the hang of walking, the good sleep returned. Just food for thought, perhaps Tori is about to get more mobile on you!!!

[anita]

mba here

[Amani]

regarding RLS- I have it bad too (BAD), and the best advice I've gotten (from my amazing naturopath) is to take epsom salt baths, because you absorb the magnesium, which stops the RLS. AND to take cal/mag at night with a little protein, an hour before bed. Like 5 almonds, or a slice of turkey. With 1000 mg of calmag. I swear by it. I didn't take it last night and it was hell. If I take it, I sleep. Good luck, I know the hell of which you speak, both insomnia and RLS.

[kopi-susu]

Long-time chef (~20 yrs), currently mom to 2, long-time lurker :)

Happy to answer any questions you might have about the business or whatever