Scheduling a night terror
16 Jan 2011 3 Comments
I do not know what’s to come with baby number 2, but Shiloh has just about always slept through the night. We co-slept for maybe three weeks in the beginning, and then it was 10-5, then 9-5, then and still 7pm-6:30am. She just loves to be in her crib and either sleeping or singing.
Shiloh is about 16 months and as we allow her to do more “big kid” things like occasionally staying up till 9 or so with the adults for a family party, it’s oddly affecting her. Or, if I pay attention to research, it’s not so odd.
We went away last weekend for a wedding, and after a bedtime of 9 (normally 7) Shiloh woke up in PANIC and HYSTERICS at 11:30. It took me a half an hour just to stop the weeping, and then had to listen, with pangs in hy heart, to the wimpers that long outlast a good loud sob. You know, when they breathe in little at a time like it’s hard to get breath. Sigh.
Yesterday, I took Shiloh to a baby shower for one of my very besties, the gorgeous Jessica from A Mountain Bride (just recently named top 100 wedding blogs- yay!) We had a great time, but no nap. Morning or night! Then we had to rush over to my nephew’s hockey game at 5:50, because we never get a chance to see a game he is in that’s close enough to go. That was great!
After, we headed over to my sister in law’s for pizza and football, Shiloh in her pajamas, fawned over by her cousins. We headed home around 8:30. Shi never once seemed cranky and fell asleep in the car immediately. We placed her quietly in her crib when we got home and she snuggled in.
11 o’clock: SCREAMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM. Like, blood curdling. I went to her, rocked her, she calmed down and back to bed.
1 o’clock: LOUDER SCRREEEEAAMMMM. Bill ran in to get her and there just was no calming her. We tucked her in between us in bed and for at least an hour she did the “after sob” wimpers. I stayed half awake all night as she tossed and turned and cried out every so often. She just kept clinging to Billy and to me in turn.
Schedules, people. They are no joke, huh?
The poor girl is suffering from being overtired I am guessing? Both of these instances she was not able to even nap in the day.
So what’s the answer? Never deviate from routine? Or, just take the good with the bad so you child can take part in family fun on occasion? I write this having 3 hours of sleep, maybe.
Peace out while I make coffee.
Jan 16, 2011 @ 19:58:45
Sometimes it is hard to say what causes the night waking. We were sure a few times that it was because of a schedule change…but it turns out it was because of Finnley cutting her incisors. And then she had a cold on top of it. I can say this…incisors are the worst. Regardless of why they night wake, it remains certain that it is never fun…and always has me wishing for the days of a slumbering teen who doesn’t wake until near noon. But then I remember what else accompanies that age, and I sigh…and take what I have in stride. sort of. ha!
Jan 17, 2011 @ 02:48:33
yikes!!! poor thing!!
Shi was the star of the show at the shower – everyone kept talking about how lovely she was, long after you all left!
Jan 17, 2011 @ 09:29:18
@Megan R: She has cut her incisors, thank GOD and that was definitely a hard time. I think if we do a late night again and this happens, I will call it a diagnosis. Overtired seems to equal these scream sessions, but she also tends to do it when she has post nasal drip. I hate those nights because there’s nothing much to do except give her water and maybe some mucinex. So much of motherhood feels a bit helpless at this ago with medicines.
Although, I don’t look forward to when she’s older and the parade of antibiotics is shoved in her face (alothough I have a great doctor, so hopefully she will use discretion).
Jes- Shiloh loved that older women, Wee? Was that her name? She just LOVED her. SOrry again about the Bumbo seats, I wish I had brought the gift receipt. I can send it to you if you do end up needing it. I also suggest if youw ant to to leave one at Tommy’s house because it’s so great to have when you visit people. It can act as a high chair as well as a regular chair.