Too Tired for Words

I very well understand your need of sleep and feelings of helplessness, some people shun this idea, but have you tried letting her sleep with you? I am a working mom of three and sometimes I just had to let them into my bed--i can not imagine if I had to go to work on absolutely no sleep--just usually very little :)...Also, from the baby whisperer--Tracy Hogg, E.A.S.Y. It stands for Eat,Activity, Sleep and finally YOU, maybe you could try playt time before bath time, then book and bed...I finally worked out my schedule with my kids and I found that having kids play then clean, then bath and books, helped them calm down quicker, I also turn all elctronic devices off...I read an article that said that anything electronic stimulates the brain to complete restlessness...Good Luck, if this does not help, go back to what you were doing, eventually, I am sure, something will work, and I know that as long as you love, everything else falls into place. God Bless.

My daughter was the same way at that age -- she's 2 now and sleeps like a dream, but so hard to go through. There was a time when we tried to ferberize her, for about 3 weeks, but we went back to co-sleeping because it was only way she'd sleep thru night during those months (up to 12 months old). It affected every aspect of our lives, sleep deprivation is used as torture for a reason :) I've heard of other children not taking to textures so easily at that age, so would maybe try giving up the solid food for a while, or just giving super pureed, or adding it to formula or breast milk for now. For the sleep problem, I really am sorry to say I have no solution or ideas for you. My daughter is very sensitive and has a speech delay, she grows so slowly -- it's taken about 9 months for her incisors to grow in and I do see that she grows more slowly than her brother. My daughter was 6lbs 1oz at birth (not sure how big your daughter was) and at 2yo she's only 20 lbs now, still tiny and has a high metabolism (like her dad), has no body fat (weird for a baby to have no fat!). She is very smart and up-to-speed (according to occupational and developmental therapists) other than the speech delay. She's still very sensitive to noises at night, or not dark enough n the room... Just saying, maybe your daughter might be more sensitive than other babies to either your being absent at night, sounds, darkness (or not enough darkness) or she just misses you holding her and, like my daughter, she's stubborn! :) At 9 months they do remember us, but like most phases, only last a few weeks and maybe she'll go back to sleep then... Good luck hon!

At this age, teething could be a major culprit for such crying at night. Though you do not see the teeth yet on the gum surface, they could probably be pushing up from inside. Try teething gel that eases the pain. Also try getting her to sleep with you so it is faster & easier for you to pacify her. If teething gel doesn't work, show to the doctor for possible ear infection.

If you can muster up the energy, bring her in to the doctor to make sure she does not have an ear infection. Perhaps lying down at night and eating are causing her pain. Hang in there!

It could be reflux. I have it while pregnant and it is EXTREMELY painful at night. Ask your pediatrician about it... usually they can prescribe you a safe medicine like Zantac or Prilosec. Sometimes it takes about 2 weeks for the meds to really start to get into your system and calm the acid but the relief is immeasurable.

If it IS reflux, that could prevent her from wanting solids as well because the acid makes your throat feel like a huge lump is in it and your going to choke and can make it feel really raw when swallowing as well.

If you're able to get her to eat any fruit, papaya is supposed to be really good at neutralizing acid. You can also search for alkaline diets online and see which foods are better when dealing with excess stomach acid.

I hope this helps. If you have questions, let me know and I'll do what I can to help you find answers. I know from my own experience, it can be terrifying to wake up with acid burning your throat. Mine has gotten so bad at times that I actually aspirate it through my nose at night and feel like I'm choking to death :(

Hope you find a resolution soon. Poor baby! And poor Mommy!!

M.

How's the teething situation over all? Does she have any teeth yet? If she isn't eating, that could be the culpret. Your experience proves that many children don't benefit from crying-it-out. Don't bother, just give her 10 or 15 minutes and then go to her.
Try getting some teething tablets. Hyland's or Little Teethers are homeopathic and dissolve immediately. If that doesn't help, you can go the medicinal route and try Tylonal for a couple days.
Also, frozen peas can feel good, frozen fruit in a netted fruit feeder, and warm soup like tomato that's easy to take in without chewing.
Good Luck!

It really may be teething. My 8 1/2 month old son went through this about two weeks ago. His top front tooth was coming down, although at the time you couldn't see it. He would wake about every hour screaming--and wouldn't nurse back to sleep, which he always does without a problem. Finally,the tooth came through the gum and he was fine. I also babysit for a 9 month old who did the same thing. She is bottlefed and would not take the bottle or the pacifier because it hurts for them to suck.
If it has been a week it should get better soon if it's teething.

Not eating and not sleeping the 2 most common indicators of an ear infection. Take her to the doc to rule out any medical problems! Another common one is teething. They can hurt even before you see anything on the surface. Let her chomp on a wet washcloth that's been frozen -- does it make a difference? If she likes it it's probably teething. Try giving a dose of tylenol or ibuprophen before bedtime and see if that helps.

With my older 2 kids, the only indication they ever gave that they had an ear infection was not sleeping.

If this is sudden, it sounds like it could be an ear infection. It could also potentially be teething. Separation anxiety. My twinkies had a period like this around 9-11 months. It was horrible. It will get better! Try putting a night light in their room. Also try playing a CD of music... something classical maybe or some other sort of white noise. Maybe put some toys in their crib. Good luck! Hang in there!

It sounds like teething or possibly an ear infection. I'd take her to her PED and see what they say first. You could try giving her a little motrin... but you obviously don't want that to become part of the bedtime ritual.

It could just be a little separation anxiety. I believe my son went through some around nine months.