This picture is little Coco fast asleep somewhere over the North Pole. We were on our way to the States back in February and it was a very peaceful and easy flight. In fact, flying east to west is always easy. It's coming back to Europe from the west coast of the US and dealing with the 9 hour time difference and life-shattering jet lag that is so impossibly awful!
To that end, I've been researching a lot about jet lag and babies and there is just not much out there. Most articles are just a very obviously plagiarized version of the Baby Center's! At this point, we seem to have found a schedule of waking at 9 am, napping from 11-1 and again from 5-6 and going to sleep between 10 and 12. I'm so exhausted I can barely think. She's waking every hour or two screaming for milk. And I just don't have that much milk anymore. She's almost 14 months old. Production has slowed. :( I'm more tempted than ever to get started with sleep training, but all of the books specifically say not to start during a developmental milestone or when a tooth is cutting. She took a few independent steps last night and she has three teeth swelling her gums into little white mounds of flesh. Poor Coco! And poor mama. ;) Have you dealt with extreme baby jet lag? What worked for you? Once your baby found a rhythm, how did you dial it back to normal times?
I feel your pain! And will be dealing with this in January. Hazel had bad jet lag after her first visit to the States. Two weeks after our return to Switzerland, she was still waking at least 5 times a night. So I took her to the doctor to make sure she was completey healthy, which she was, and the Dr. told me to do what my insticts were telling me to do, sleep train! I started that night. The first night was rough but the second night she slept through! However, in your case, I would definitely wait until Coco is healthy. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteI've followed my instincts. She is sleep training right. now. as. I. type. this. HARD! But...she was up to all her little tricks: crawling off the bed, climbing on the nightstands, throwing her pacifiers over the back of the headboard. I don't think her teeth are bothering her that much, it's just FUN for her to play at bedtime. I hope this doesn't go on for very long. I can tell she's just angry that I'm not in there to play with her, but it's still hard!!! Send me some good mommy vibes, please! xo
DeleteIt is hard! I was crying outside of Hazel's room that first night. Just be consistent and don't give in or it will take longer to work. Pretty soon it will all be over and you will wonder why you didn't do it sooner because she will be much happier and well rested. And so will you! Life will be good again :)
ReplyDeleteI think we did it at just the right time! There were a few hard moments, but I didn't cry like I thought I would. And she's sleeping so well. Honestly, it's amazing!!!! Thank you for the encouragement! xo
DeleteWow! Great job, mama! Coco sounds like a adorable little pistol :)
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