Desperate Times...

Another True Grit story, from a desperate and sleep-deprived mommy...

My youngest child was the worst sleeper of my children. The first three had all begun sleeping through the night by seven/eight months, and I expected something the same from my third. So when, at 11 months, he was still waking me repeatedly in the night, I was at my wits' end.

I tried one thing and another. While quite willing to use a modified CIO, the childrens' rooms were too close together, and the one night I tried it, it disturbed my other children. What to do?

I moved him to a room further down the hall, put him in a sturdy playpen, the type with a soft bottom and mesh sides that sits flat on the floor. He scaled it! Appeared at my door, smiling in triumph sometime after midnight. HOW??  Argh. I really, really, really needed a full night's sleep. I had three  older children, only one of whom still napped. I was practically non-functional.

The furthest bedroom was still too close. He could climb out of the playpen. I considered my options feverishly. (I was doing most things feverishly, at that point in my life...)

A-ha! The basement was further away than the bedroom! The playpen wasn't safe upright, but what if....?

My solution? Make baby a comfy mat on the floor.

Take the soft-sided, soft-bottomed playpen, and INVERT it over the baby.

Sleep on the livingroom couch, so I would be at hand should anything go wrong.

Nothing did. Less than a week later, he was sleeping through the night. But, sshhh!  You are the only people who will ever know...

Comments

[Krista]

What a great plan! I have to admit you had me worried at first... so I'm glad you made sure to mention that you were sleeping nearby on the couch.

[hilary]

I can't believe your story- it is identical to my current problem. My second child has been sleeping in our bed because I can't get her into the crib b/c she wakes her 2yr old brother (or vs versa). I end up at the foot of the bed, so I've tried everything. She hates the bassinet and at 6mths old she wants to squiggle around. We are now going on our 4th night of her on the floor in a make shift cubby hole kind of area on top of a down comforter and gated so my son can't torture her. So far so good. Eventually I plan to move her and the comforter into the crib so she will still recognize smells, etc- but will hopefully be sleeping through the night so she can bunk with big bro.
It's sad- my dad said it sounds like a doggy mat-- and that's the best description yet!

[Lady M]

What a story! Have you seen the "Jack Jack Attack" story from "The Incredibles" DVD? We saw it when Q was still too young to be an escape artist. I think we need to see it again now.

[candace]

Awesome.

[Mama of 2]

Hey who says you can't "crate" your children? No seriously -- I have to commend your ingenious thinking. Being a mom who needs her sleep I can sympathize with you and hey whatever works right?

But I promise not to give away your secret methods.