The last time I went this long without sleep I collapsed, I'm afraid of it happening again, it would surely scare my daughter, and what if I'm holding the baby? I can't get any help, and my hubby doesn't wake up at night because of his meds. My kids won't let me nap during the day, and obviously not at night either. Help! Any advice is appreciated, Thanks!
I can't get any help because the only family I have is my mom, who has multiple personality disorder and can't be trusted. My kids are 2.5 and 3 months, if one isn't up, the other is!
I also haven't made any new friends here yet, we moved here when I was pregnant, and I was too sick to go anywhere but the hospital...
I've tried to get my daughter to play quietly or watch tv when the baby sleeps in the morning, even an hour would help, but though she's usually good, I can't get any co-operation, she hates it when I try to nap.
2007-02-28 05:05:13 · 14 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
Maybe if you put everyone down at the same time for a nap. I use to make my daughter lay down with me for a nap. She was told she had to lay still til the alarm went off. I would set the alarm for an hour. She didn't like this alot either cause she knew her baby sister was in the other room in her crib. Sometimes the baby played in her crib and didn't sleep, sometimes the baby slept and my toddler didn't, but I always napped. I made sure anything dangerous was put up, and I put a baby gate up on the door of my bedroom so I knew my toddler couldn't go anywhere but my room. I felt safer doing this. Especially since you are so exhausted I would suggest this. Also make sure they have an early bedtime. Try to keep the baby and the toddler to a similar bedtime. As soon as they are asleep, you head to bed. Remember soothing routines will help. I understand your frustration. I had an 11 yo, a 1 yo and a new baby to deal with in a new state where I knew no one but my husband. I know your exhaustion. When you can, find a sitter who might be able to keep the kids for a couple hours twice a week so you can get caught up with your rest. The key is to make sure you tell the toddler she has to have an hour of rest. I find calling it a nap doesn't work. They do understand at that age. If you talk to them like they are people, which they are, it works.
2007-02-28 05:15:24 · answer #1 · answered by Melanie A 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Try to do short intervals of meditation don't forget to breath. You kids aren't going to fall apart if you sit down for a min and just breathe. Maybe you could ask you husband when he gets home if he could take over for 1 hour for you so you could take a bath or even nap or try to get the kids on the same sleeping schedule it might take a few days but in the long run it would be worth it. The good ol' sleep when they do is whats it about. also to much technological stimulation can make you unable to sleep when you get a chance instead of taking the time on the computer try to meditate:D
2007-02-28 13:12:34 · answer #2 · answered by Petronia 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you can afford a daycare or play group for the older kids atleast for a few hours out of the day. Then you can just deal with the baby and nap when he or she does. You could use the peace and quite during the day too.
Get yourself on some vitamins too
2007-02-28 13:49:05 · answer #3 · answered by qpook 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Maybe you should put your oldest into daycare. Even if it is for 2 days a week. That way you can get some rest when the baby sleeps. Are you still taking vitamins? I can tell a huge difference in how tired I am if I forget or stop taking my vitamins. You should definatley try to get help somewhere. Even if it does been putting your oldest daughter in daycare part time. You should also try to get your husbandto watch the kids when he returns from work so you can rest.
2007-02-28 13:18:36 · answer #4 · answered by Kris10 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
What if your husband watches the kids on the weekend and you sleep then? What about when he gets home from work you take a quick nap while he watches the kids?
What if you make your daughter take quiet time in her room put up a baby gate, feed the baby and lye the baby down in the crib and you lye down and relax... You cant do this to yourself or your kids. Your 2 yr needs to learn RIGHT now you are the mom and she will do what you say..
My 2 yr knows everyday after lunch he takes a nap or he plays in his room with the door shut. My other kids all take quiet time after lunch to...
2007-02-28 13:12:05 · answer #5 · answered by Alexis221 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
You need to put the kids on a schedule so that they will both sleep at the same time. We have a 3 month old and she is sleeping from about 9pm to 6am. Scheduling is perfectly fine and you're children will not suffer because of it--though they might suffer from you being so exhausted! I suggest the book "On Becoming Baby Wise" by Gary Ezzo and Robert ucknam, M.D. 97% of babies using the techniques in the book are sleeping through the night at 3 months. Here's a link: http://product.half.ebay.com/On-Becoming-Baby-Wise_W0QQtgZinfoQQprZ621132
You have to get the kids to both sleep at night, it is possible.
2007-02-28 13:12:50 · answer #6 · answered by Heather Y 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can put an ad in the paper. "Looking for experienced child care" or something like that. You can interview them to pick the best candidate. Just let them know you're only going to need them for a couple hours a day so you can rest. If your kids wont let you rest while the sitter is there, ask the sitter if she'd be comfortable taking them to the park or somewhere for a while. When I was little I always loved going to the park-I didnt care who took me. Your daughter might be the same way.
2007-02-28 13:12:29 · answer #7 · answered by Amanda 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
If possible hire a mother's helper for a few hours a day. Mother's helpers are generally cheaper than babysitters and can be younger as you aren't leaving them alone with your children. They should be able to entertain them while you nap.
Otherwise you are going to have to go to bed earlier than your husband and he is resposible for the babies for the first X number of hours before he goes to bed. Or he gets up earlier in the morning.
Also join a mommy group, make friends! If you have a local health nurse call them they often run groups, in the US try asking your local WIC office even if you don't qualify. And see if there are any yahoo groups for parents in your area:
http://groups.yahoo.com
2007-02-28 13:10:12 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
the only thing I can suggest is a after school high school mother's
helper......they charge about $3.00 an hour and you don't have
to have them every day maybe three days a week so you can
run out do your hair and nails, or even nap......an hour or two.
try calling the high schools in your area, some might have a
work study program or a bulletin board with girls looking for
employment.
2007-02-28 13:41:04 · answer #9 · answered by isageegee 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
call an employment agency and see if they have a nanny who could come for a few hours every few days to watch them while you get some rest. You will be there so you dont have to worry too much about anything happening to them.
2007-02-28 13:08:38 · answer #10 · answered by Amberlyn4 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋