[m2jk]

Hi girls,

I'm new here, and just having a rough day . DS is 12 months and has no routine, or predictability. I feel like a complete failure... I try so hard to not compare, but its hard when it feels like every ones babies sleep except yours (though I know that's not true, but when your having a down day, it certainly feels like that !)

I thought I might see a pattern as we headed to one sleep a day, but still no idea what's next... Anyone else in the same boat?

[Lyn86]

Me! Currently trying to wean my girl and get her to sleep without me-when she's asleep she's a fantastic sleeper it's just getting her there.
Also really struggling today, so I feel ya pain. Hope it improves for you!

[m2jk]

We are a bit of both... Sometimes very easy to get down, othertimes a struggle, sometimes stays asleep fantastically, othertimes sleep is impossible :/ !

It's just hard when he's so grizzly from being tired coz he hasn't slept enough... And my patience is thin from not sleeping enough

Does your little girl sleep though?

[Jenflea]

How have you tried getting her into a routine? Do you feed her at certain times a day? Do you go out at certain times a day? is there a way of making a routine and seeing if she'll fall into it a bit?
I think 12 months or so was when my daughter got her own routine happening, but it was mostly because i spent a LONG time working on it, still do really.
breakfast at a certain time, bath etc at a certain time, that sort of thing.
But i don't stress about routines too much. It causes way too much angst if they don't 'conform' to what the books tell you should be happening.
As long as she's happy and eating well etc, it's ok.

[Mo2k]

I tried getting my son into a one sleep routing at 12 months, thinking back it was purely because that was what everyone else seemed to be doing. Gave up and he was much happier sticking with 2 until about 15 months.

[niggles]

DS having a routine would be rather pointless since our own lives lack exact routine day to day. I'd be forever changing his schedule on him anyway and I already have to wake him up enough to pick his sister up from school or take her to swimming lessons and so on and so on. Life and routines don't always mix. I wouldn't sweat it.

[adl]

I dont put much store on rountines as our life or isnt that predictable and nor do I want it to be,
day nap was when he was ready which varied between 11-1 now its closer to 2 and we have no arguments, and same at night its around 8.... but if he is tired he will often want to go earlier and thats fine, after swiming for example it can be as early as 12.30

I find our day is much more enjoyable by reading cues and going with that rather than conforming to some timetable in a book or what someone else does....

try and read cues more than clocks... I find some quiet time reading together on our bed helps lulling into sleep rather than activity and then bed....

but dont beat yourself up about it, there are plenty of people that dont follow strict times

[m2jk]

I probably started to try around the 6 month mark, which was also when his sleeping fell apart and night wakings increased I started trying routine to improve it. In saying that, from 2 weeks old we have always had a night routine. Getting him to sleep at night isn't hard anymore, its inbetween... I find implementing times very difficult. As much as I try, its different each day. We bearly go out coz I try to give him opportunity to sleep. I'm so lost... This morning he woke at 5, yesterday it was 7.30, how can I pick a breakfast time when there is such a big window? Thank you for your time and help...

[m2jk]

Thanks girls... I've been reading a lot today and perhaps I am causing myself unnecessary worry. Does it affect night sleep having no routine? I've always blamed it, but maybe not? Do your kids sleep okay at night?

[Jenflea]

If he wakes at 5 then I'd give a BF or bottle and take him in with you. Or resettle him if possible.

With my DD I'd feed at waking time then get her back to sleep, in our bed, or her own till 6.30 or so. At 6.30 she'd come into or bed (husband got up then) and give solids at 7.30 once husband went to work.
I certainly didn't sit around waiting for her to sleep, I'd go mad! Is he getting enough exercise to wear him out? I'd try running him ragged and seeing how he goes with a sleep.