There is so much I could say on this topic. Our sweet child is 16 pounds of pure ENERGY!!! She does not require a lot of sleep....it has left me baffled. Literally, the three other boys in our house take great naps and are down for bed at 6. At this point in the night, Eliana is coming alive. I begin to feel the weight of knowing she has at least 5 more hours awake!! She usually goes to sleep around midnight (I am not lying). I have tried EVERYTHING!! I have rocked her, sung to her....I turn out all of the lights.....I have tried not letting her take a nap. The child is WILD at night!! She also does not love naps....Emily (our roomie) took this picture of Eliana when she was supposed to be taking a nap. Let's just say that I am SUPER tired....crazy tired!! I am in love with this child....just don't know what to do about sleep.
Love y'all,
Lindsey
P.S. Still haven't heard anything about DNA....
35 comments:
Lindsey...You need to read my post. Malaena-Sloan is exactly the same. She gets up about 7:30am, naps maybe 2 twenty minute naps, goes down at night between 11-12. I too am tired. My son was EXACTLY the same way (he's 18 now.) The doctor told me to give him benadryl once a week so I could get sleep. It makes Malae hyper. The doctor also told me that babies that don't require a lot of sleep is a sign of intelligence. My son is brilliant so I stand firm on that statement. I feel for you, girlie! God bless, Cheri
Lindsey, you poor thing. I must say, I love my boys like crazy but I NEED my time at night when they go to bed. I will pray for you guys. Maybe when you get home and she has her own room and a routine it will help. At least then you'll have Chris to take some turns too. Praying for your sweet family!
Kelly
This is totally random but a co-worker just was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism and he wasn't sleeping at all. I have no idea if it can even happen in kids but maybe something to ask her pediatrician when you get home.
I agree with the post above. Hopefully once you are home and can get a routine established (plus without other kids around) she will get in a sleep routine. We do baths, pjs, a book, a milk cup (though Joshua is cutting that one out now), and brushing teeth. Then we put him in his crib, turn on his music, and walk out of the room. When we brought him home, Joshua woke up 3-4 times a night. Now he sleeps all night (thank goodness). It did take some training. Some days he naps well, other days he doesn't. But regardless, he has to be in his crib during that time. (I even make our nine year old have a quiet time on the weekends...he reads :) Some kids don't require as much sleep but hopefully Eliana will learn to sleep a bit more. (The funny thing is if they get overtired, they cannot sleep either, so maybe once her body starts resting, she will be able to sleep better...) Good luck!
Reba
PS Have you contacted the DNA lab? If it is Labcorp, they can tell you when it is done and give you the tracking number of the results...
Ummm, I'd tell you I'll take a night when I get there and let you go to bed, but if the Baby Whisperer couldn't do it, I'm not sure I can.
See you Saturday!
I think that once you get home you will get a routine established. Quiet time with just you guys. It will be important. You and Chris need time together and to relax and re-group. I is very important. So, hang tough.......or use benadryl. It won't hurt her.
Here's another thought. She is on meds for her breathing, right? They can TOTALLY hype kids up. Just something to think about
Maribel Grace has always and I mean always been a night owl...she gets up around 8:30am and she does take a afternoon nap, but she is up until 10-10:30pm every night, I have tried everything but nothing helps, luckily I am also a night owl, but now with her sister coming home soon, we will have to come up with a plan..Since Maribel was a baby and we visited her at 3months old, her foster said she was going to bed at 10pm and then also on pickup bedtime was still 10pm, she has been home since she was 5 months old and I am still trying to get her to bed earlier..she is also like Eliana full of energy all day and a night owl, so I understand completely...
Wow! I remember those days. Then we started moving her bedtime up about 30 min. each week until we reached the best time. For now it is 9:00 and she sleeps all night. We give her a bath by 8:30 and then let her play 30 min. then she is ready for bed. Most of my friends put their babies to bed much earlier than that but their children get up at about 5:00. My little princess could sleep until 8 or 9 every morning. It broke my heart but we finally had to let her cry it out(about 5 min.) for a few nights until she realized that it was bedtime. Now she is like clock work and gets herself ready to go to bed by then. Good Luck. It will be easier when you are in your own home with help for Chris and no roomies to disturb.
put some whiskey in her bottle! wooooo. when can I babysit?
hehe I like the comment about.."if the baby whisperer couldn't do it"....aw man Linds if I were there I would at least take her on one of our dates to mcdonalds so you could nap :( hang in there Im praying for you
When we picked up our son his foster mother had told us he only took a 2 hour nap (he was 5 months old so should be having 2 naps a day) and was up till 10pm or 10:30 and up by 5 or 6 am.
My son was a big baby so I didn't think it was from being hungry but his foster mother had told us he had very bad allergies and problems breathing.
From the moment we bought him home our little guy was at the doctors with breathing problems. When a ped specialist finally diagonised him with Rad(reative airway disease) and he was on regular breathing treatments did we see a regular nap and night time schedule. I think to this day that my little guy was scared of falling asleep because he woke up so many times not being able to breathe right. I know that the great ladies at his daycare where amazed by his sleeping patterns once we got him some treatements.
Knock on wood we haven't had to do a breathing treatment in 9 months. They can grow out of them. We still deal with allergies.
YOur little girl is amazing.
I had a daughter just like your little one. She's 5 now and sleeps GREAT so there is hope!! Here are some things that worked for us... I always always slept when she did. I know it's tempting to stay up and get things done while they're napping but it's more important for you to get any sleep you can. I also napped with my daughter in my bed. She just never napped well in her crib but if I fell asleep (or acted asleep) with her in my bed she would eventually fall sleep too. Also, when kids get overtired (from no naps during the day) it's harder for them to fall sleep at night. So, I'd really work on the naps. And if she didn't go to bed on time at night she would get her second wind, just like you described, and there was no way we could get her to sleep during that time. So, I'd try to black out any windows in your room and try to get her to bed even earlier than you've been trying. I know it seems impossible, but if you stick to it for a week or so she may adjust to it and start sleeping better. I always had to rock and sing my daughter to sleep too (which I miss now!) The most important thing is to remember that there is no "right way" to parent, just do what works for you and your family. I never thought I'd sleep with my kids in my bed, but we all got more sleep that way so it worked for us. What works for one person may not work for you. But hope this helps a little. Good luck! I know how difficult it is to function on no sleep, I definitely feel your pain! Keep trying things until something works. I know I'm a much better mommy when I get my sleep.
Bless your heart. I can't imagine how much patience you have. I can only tell you what works for us. Obviously routine is a good thing when it comes to bedtime...but not really mattering so much what 'time' it is. Walker knows it's time for bed after he's had a bath and get a big bottle and he always passes out no matter what time it is, sometimes before he finishes the bottle. You may just have to let her cry in the crib the first couple of nights are so until she connects...those 'bedtime routine things' with 'sleeping for a long time period.' :) I'd say 9pm would look good to you at this point compared to midnight. Uhh please your heart! Hang in there sister. ejw
I can't begin to tell you how helpful it is to read the comments on this post. My daughter Elianna is a night owl and resists naps until about 4:00pm (I know, that messes with bedtime routine but what's worse...late naps or no sleep?) Lately she has been totally wired in the evenings, right about the time I am ready to crash. It helps to hear that I'm not alone on this topic. Best wishes to you as you struggle with sleep (or lack of) issues.
Ann
OH my gosh .. what a cutie !!! Sorry you are tired though ... I have one that requires sleep and one that doesn't. I feel your pain !!
My fear is that she has her daddy's gene pool and knows there's too much fun waiting to happen to waste time sleeping!!! :) Chris, you know it's true! My prayers are with you, Linds!
Love, Kay-Kay
Linds, I love your mom's comment about her taking after Chris and that is probably 100% true...and I trust that it will be much easier once you are home to a fairly quiet house where your husband can help you!!!
I wish I could be there to help in some way!!!
I love you guys and can't wait to see you!!!
Lindsey I am so sorry and I completely sympathize with what you are going through. My Gabrielle was 12 pounds at 7 months and hardly slept for almost a year, it was very trying. I tried the Benadryl trick but it made her hyper. I dont know maybe Cheri is right Gaby is very bright but I would rather have a kid who sleeps...LOL
Lindsey,
Hope you can get some rest!! You poor thing...sleep deprivation is not fun!
Wow Eliana is a bundle of energy! Just wondering if something she's eating or some of the medication or something might be hyping her up maybe??? Its only a thought and like others have said once you get home and settled in one place with Chris as well she should eventually settle and get into a routine. Its hard when you've had to move homes a few times.
And she might just be a high energy girl...wish I could have some of it!! My 2 yo doesn't need anywhere near the same amount of sleep as my near 5 yo. She could stay up all night I'm sure if I let her and not even get that grumpy.
Take care and will pray for you!
Anna
My girl is the exact same, I will say there was a book that really helped me called "Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child". I litterally tell people this book changed my life. It is worth the read. I will pray for you!!!!
Do you happen to be giving her albuteral in the evening?
Doctors won't tell you not to but it would explain the not sleeping problem. Of course you should check with the doctor before changing the time or dose. Once I stopped the evening dose for my son he went to sleep just fine. He had Bronchitis and it really wasn't too bad, so it was safe to stop that dose.
Praying you will be home soon,
Emmy
Lindsey, I have never met you, although I hear your husband speak at Girls of Grace (where I learned about your blog). I love following your story, as we have an interest in adoption. We have a 2 year old son, who sleeps very well. I am a firm believer in teaching them how to sleep. The book BabyWise by Gary Ezzo was my saving grace. It is written by Christians, and is straight forward about getting your baby on a schedule. Hope this helps.
I could say a hundred things about this, but all I will say is time will help ... Maggie is not a sleeper either ... only falls asleep in the car at carpool (and I can't let her sleep longer than 45 min) and most nights she doesn't fall asleep till 11:30 ... So I will say God has given me the energy needed to do 4 kids w/out much sleep ...lol
Have you tried benedryl each night?? The doctor told me it can't hurt to give it to them every night ... now I may get in a lot of trouble for this one, but hey it works for me so no comments from you moms who get sleep ... I give Maggie a dose for a 6 year old ... That does seem to help Maggie stay asleep all night, the single dose did nothing ...
I will pray your party girl settles down some and we can definitely have a party for the girls one late late night ... hee hee
Lindsay,
Just a thought, but a book I read that is really good is called "Healthy sleep habits, happy child." When we were preparing to adopt, practically EVERY person we knew with kids recommended this book. It might be worth your time.
Sorry about this. It means you don't get enough sleep either,and that is so hard after chasing a toddler around all day. I pray a "holy sleepiness" comes over that little girl!!
I definitely feel your pain. JP is the exact same way. He takes a morning nap MAYBE an hour and a half..if we're lucky. Goes to bed and sleeps on a good night 6 hours. WAking up SEVERAL times in between. He only sleeps that well, if he's sleeping in my bed. It's awful!
Hi Lindsey,... we had problems with Dakota's sleeping as well. She was sleeping from 10pm to 6:00am and was taking 20 minute naps 3 times a day. I know it's difficult. I also recommend reading Healthy sleep habits, Happy Child. GREAT book! Now she's a great night time sleeper(From 7-6) and an okay napper. I'll take it though. For your DNA results, you can call the lab and they can most likely give you the info as to when it was shipped. Good luck!
Wow! Lindsey you have received a ton of helpful blogs with valid tips to explore. I remember when Chris was about 4 and broke out into hives when John was painting my office. The doctor told me to give him liquid Benadryl so I gave him 2 tsp. and he slept 11 hours!
I went into his room and put my hand on his chest to make sure he
was still breathing because he did not move for 11 hours!
The culprit may indeed be the afternoon or evening breathing treatment.
Praying for pink slips quick!
John and I would love to come for a couple of days and play with her
late at night as long as she lasts
so you and Chris can get some sleep! That could give us some great granddaughter time!
Praying for you with love,
Mary Helen
My daughter also never sleeps, so I know all about being exhausted. Hope you can get some rest soon!!
Robyn
P.S. Praying you hear something on DNA soon!!
Lindsay,
I had one other thought to add...it could be any of the things suggested here (thyroid, etc.) but, another possibility is that she wasn't getting enough sleep in her previous living situation. Sleep begets sleep. I agree with the other person who said skipping naps can actually cause her to sleep WORSE at nighttime. When we got our daughter, she was taking one nap a day and going to bed at 8 p.m., waking at 6:30 a.m. (per the FM). Within a few weeks, I had her taking two naps a day, and going to bed at 6:30 at night. In fact, I think she must have been sleep deprived because in the beginning her morning naps lasted over 3 hours and she would still take an afternoon nap. She was 15 months old at the time. Anyway, I know that doesn't solve anything right now, but just something to keep in mind as you try to problem solve this situation.
I've been following your story for a while now and have been praying for your amazing family. You are truely an inspiration to me. I am only a teenager (17), but I already feel God's strong leading towards adoption, and I sincerely thank you for following that leading in your life. Eliana is a beautiful little one, as is Xiomara. I can't even imagine how difficult it was to go through the pain of "loosing" Xio, but never forget that God intertwined your lives for a reason, even if it isn't clear why yet. I believe that through prayer for Xiomara, you can have a bigger impact on her little life than even fathomed. I am reminded of Job, who recieved double what he lost, and I pray that you find double of what you lost as well. Eliana seems like a such a blessing, even if she does stay up to the wee hours of the morning ;). It must be amazing to hold the heart of God in your arms. I can't explain it, because I have never adopted, but in my heart, I feel it. It's honestly the strangest thing. My thoughts on adoption is that it must be such an honor to be called of God to raise someone so close to His heart that is sometimes even referred to AS His heart. You seem like INCREDIBLE parents who undeniably have that calling in their core. Reading about who you are and what you believe has impacted me greatly and I thank you for being so authentic. I don't know you personally, but in ways, I look up to you. Thanks for being such a great example! :D
God Bless!!!
-Beth
Hi Lindsey: I wonder if it'll get better when we gets home and gets in a routine (looks like others are saying that too). I bed there's just so many new things and people all around her, that she wants to be part of the action!! AND My theory too is that boys just need more sleep ;) Since we have two, I'm thankful that they (usually) love to sleep... and that it's nap time right now! I can't image life without naps, so I'm so sorry!! Oh - and I love that sleep book too that someone recommended - it helped us understand patterns and why kids sleep. Sounds like you are getting a lot of exercise. keep posting - we love updates! Love, Amelia
If I let Maya stay up or am anywhere around her she will not sleep, at 7:30pm she is in her crib sometimes 8 and I leave, they need their quiet time to rest even if they are in there talking to themselves, plus to grow and be healthy. If we have her in bed with us she will stay awake as long as she is by us. She too gets really wound up and more full of energy if she stays up late and if we put her down late then she has a hard time falling asleep. If you start just putting in her crib when you are at home and letting her put herself to sleep (maya likes her bear and we have this ladybug that shines stars onto the ceiling) I'm sre she will get into a routine but I'm sure she will really really be against it for awhile and fight it with fits, I need my time too so I hope this works for you and you can get some rest.
Lindsey,
Hey there, this is your neighbor, Michelle. Our boys used to not sleep well, and we did a sleep study thru Vandy on autism and sleep, which also included neurotypical kids. The outcome of the study was that Melatonin is a safe and effective way to help kids (with and without autism) sleep. We give it to the boys every night, and it has changed all our lives for the better. Melatonin is a natural substance, your body produces it on its own, but the theory is that kids' bodies who have a hard time sleeping, do not produce enough of it. 20 minutes after we give it to the boys (5-6ccs) they are ASLEEP, and stay asleep all night. No more night waking, no more taking a long time to fall asleep, it's beautiful. Before we used Melatonin, the boys would be up throughout the night, took a long time to get to sleep, and were cranky as heck during the day, hyper, etc., because they were so tired. We are all a much more rested family now. Go to amazon.com, and type in "Liquid Melatonin" in the search menu. You want the 2.5 mg strength, liquid form, Natrol brand. Our boys are 46 pounds and we administer 5ccs. Vandy told us that for our boys' size, up to 11ccs would be considered safe. However, we started at 5ccs and have not had to increase the dose much, maybe 1cc here or there. The beauty of the liquid form is that you can adjust for weight differences much easier than the tablets. It sounds like Eliana is 1/3 what the boys weigh, so 1/3 of 6ccs (their current dose) would be 2ccs, right? Hope this has helped. Amazon could probably ship it directly to you, STAT!!
Michelle Moore
Hey Lindsey! Hopefully once you get home things will change and she will be a sleeper. I know with Samantha when she doesn't nap she doesn't sleep for long periods at night. But when she naps even at 6 pm she goes down at 8ish and sleeps a long time. Sleep begets sleep! So the more she sleeps, the more she sleeps!
Can't wait to meet your little night owl!
Love you friend
Lindsey...is Eliana on an inhaler? Most of them are full of steroids which interrupt sleep. I know from experience. :(
Cheryl
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