Another Post-Op Sleep Post- HELP!

[smarrell]

Lucy is one week post-op. I can't believe that. I keep meaning to post her surgery story since I couldn't read enough of them as we were waiting for surgery.

Recovery is going well. She's a little clingy, a little nervous but mostly her old self...except for sleep. I can count on one hand the number of times she hasn't woken up in a full cry since the surgery. It's heartbreaking. I don't think it's pain since she can be comforted or distracted away from crying...but then again she's my first so I spend most of my time not really knowing what I'm doing!

Please tell me someone else's kid did this too. We had some success having her sleep in the fisher price rock and play. We used it when she was a newborn but she's really too big for it. We tried elavating the crib--for those of you who did, how high did you raise it? My husband is worried she's going to turn around and end up with her feet elavated but honestly, she doesn't seeem to move in her sleep anymore. Pre-surgery, she used to turn and sleep on her side...she hasn't done that yet...

Guess I'm just looking for some reassurance...

[Janet]

Post op sleep is hard, I tried to elevate the crib for one night, she moved to the other side, we didn't really have any sleep restrictions at all. Fiona was an awful sleeper before and after the surgery, I can't give you any advice, but I will say that almost all children have post op sleeping issues, I think it's more anxiety then anything.
Lucy isn't the first baby to have this problem, so don't think it's just her. It'll get better....it'll just take some time

[fitmomof2ae]

It's normal and it sounds like you're doing a great job!

[Nezzy]

It's totally normal and takes about 3-4 weeks for sleep to return to normal. Just comfort her when she wakes crying.

[smarrell]

Okay, here's how last night went...does this sound normal?
8:15 to 8:30 Rock Lucy to Bed
8:30 to 8:50 Sleeping
8:50 to 9:15 Rock back to sleep
9:15 to 9:30 Sleep
9:30 to 10:05 Nurse and Rock back to Sleep
10:05 to 10:50 Sleep
10:50 to 11:20 Nurse and Rock back to Sleep
11:20 to 12:30 Sleep
12:30 to 12:45 Rock back to sleep
12:45 to 2:00 sleep
2:00 to 2:25 Nurse and Rock back to sleep
2:25 to 3:30 Sleep
3:30 to 3:45 Rock Back to sleep
3:45 to 5:00 Sleep
5:00 to 5:15 Rock back to sleep
5:15 to 7:30 sleep
7:30 up for the day

And during those periods of sleep, I was able to rock her sleeper and keep her asleep.

[Kate Carey-Trull]

Yikes, sounds like you are getting no sleep too! The first couple weeks post op are usually tough, their schedule was all messed up at the hospital and they were woken up a lot. We co-slept and also used a swing the first couple days/nights we were home, which seemed to help. The motion can definitely help soothe. They even brought me a portable swing our second night in the hospital.
Best of luck, tough it out for a couple weeks and hopefully it will get better. Try to take naps with her during the day too.