Sleep can be so challenging. As new moms or even second or third-time moms we can struggle with our little one’s sleep. Sometimes we feel like we are alone in our sleep struggles, especially if all our friends tell us what dream sleepers their child is.
If we are second or third-time moms we feel like we should know what we are doing or how to fix it. But this is not always the case. Every child is different and they can throw us for a loop!
I’ve gathered together a group of moms (including me!) who’ve shared their biggest baby or child sleep struggle. You are not alone, we’ve all been there. But I can help you get to the other side and have your own dream sleeper!
Nicole Lunt
Owner of Dear Lucy Jane a little girls’ clothing boutique where nothing is over 15.99. And the clothes are so cute!
Nicole says: “My daughter is almost 8 months and is awake at night every 40m-2hr. It seems she can’t get through a sleep cycle without a binky, crying, eating, or comfort. If I’m lucky, she will do a 2&1/2 hour stretch! I feel I’m at my whit’s end. We have tried rigid bedtime routines, less naps, more naps, rocking, no rocking, a comfort item, fading out, the Ferber method…you name it! It seems nothing is working for her. I even had to quit my full time job because I could not function at work after being awake every hour. “
Allie Kibler
I’m Allie! I’m a wife, a mama, and a mess. I’m a 20-something, small-town, Iowa girl. I love organizing, party planning, being outdoors, and spending time with my family. My goal is to help mamas learn to love all of the messes that come with motherhood.
Allie says: “I have an almost 2-year-old daughter. Our biggest sleep struggle was frequent wake-ups to nurse. From her birth until her first birthday she woke up a minimum of three times each night, some nights more (especially early on). I was so sleep-deprived and I didn’t know how to fix the problem because I felt like she must have needed to eat. Once we were feeding her more solid food during the day, the frequency of her wake-ups started to decrease. She woke up twice a night from about 13 months-18 months. Since she hit the 18-month mark, she’s only waking up once a night now. It’s still a struggle to wake up in the middle of the night, but I think I’m getting used to it. I’ve probably gotten about 10 full nights of sleep since my daughter was born 22 months ago. As tired as I am, I have a feeling that at some point, I’m going to miss those midnight snuggles and wish to have that time with her, so I accept that this is life right now and try to enjoy it.”
Mylee Zschech
Owner of Little Big Dreamers. Helps tired and stressed parent solve their child or baby’s sleep problems through extensive education, individualized sleep plans, and ongoing support.
Mylee says: “My first child was a great sleeper but my second was a whole different ball game. He was always a much more sensitive sleeper and took longer to sleep through the night. But the hardest sleep struggle for me was his transition from 2 naps to 1. He just couldn’t make it seamless like my older son. He struggled to sleep past a sleep cycle and was so overtired. He started waking up constantly overnight and rising early. I tried everything I could think of, including sneaking in his bedroom once he fell asleep so I could be there when he woke to help guide him back to sleep. It didn’t work. I engaged a sleep consultant who got him sleeping lovely long naps in no time and sleeping through the night again. On another note, this was where my interest in child and baby sleep came from!”
Taylor Allen Deere
Mid Century Mom Blog is a place I created where I write about my life with my husband and our two little boys. I share anything from DIY projects, my latest Amazon Prime win, and our Mid Century Modern home.
Taylor says: “I would definitely say that sticking with it was the toughest part. Having to turn down a play date because you know your baby needs a nap or leaving grandma’s house early because your baby thrives with a bedtime routine can make you feel very home bound. Sticking with it is not easy. But once you come out on the other side you’ll realize how worth it your efforts are! I still occasionally cringe when I see that 2pm birthday party invitation–oh darn, nap time! Of course we can be flexible now, but I remember how difficult those early months felt–definitely my biggest struggle.”
Michelle Grady
Founder of Nanny Pay Advisor – an affordable app that advises you on the steps you need to take in order to pay your nanny or babysitter legally.
Michelle says: “My first child was not the best sleeper, but we managed. However, when my son was born, he came with a completely different set of sleep issues! Not only were his numerous night wakings leaving me exhausted, but his wakings were now waking his sister as well. This led the entire family to a new level of crankiness. But more so, I feared that one day I would fall asleep while driving to work. That was the wake-up call for me that this was a much more serious issue than the ever tired look on my face.”
Jessica Mannion
Intentional Families is a Family Coaching provider, specializing in anger management, and supporting couples through maintaining a healthy family and walking through life transitions together.
Jessica says: “After 5 long years, our second baby girl arrived, and it was not the peaceful time I remembered with our first. After seeking some medical attention and getting her feeding on track, we finally experienced a peaceful sleep. Though it was not to last. At 6.5 months old, she started to sleep well during the day, but not the night. I was desperate for a good sleep! Almost 3 months later, I had had enough. Those closest to me know that if I don’t get my sleep, I am not the easiest to get along with. I could feel the rage burning in me if someone set a foot wrong! That was it. I reached out to a sleep consultant. I didn’t see any results straight away, though I realised I didn’t stick to the plan. The next week I set my alarms and forced myself to stick to it. Needless to say, the last couple of nights have been amazing relief as I slept in my bed without worrying about waking my baby up, I don’t know why I didn’t reach out for help sooner!”
If you need help with your own sleep challenges, please do not hesitate to contact me. I can help you make improvements to have you and your little one sleeping well. You don’t have to struggle alone. We can have a sleep strategy session about it.
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