Vacation messed everything up!

[Momma P]

We just got back from vacation. We were gone 10 days to my in-laws (in AZ) and then to Durango, CO. My 8 1/2 month old was on a regular schedule before we left - although I feel it was beginning to change. Once on vacation, I felt bad letting her CIO because she was in unfamiliar places plus she had her own room while at my in-laws. Each night I would nurse and then rock her to sleep then lay her down completley asleep. The same went for naps however she would only take one a day even though she'd fall asleep for both. I also would respond to her night wakings which was every 2-3 hours. Now that we're home, I'm torn as to what to do. She's teething and cut two teeth while we were gone and now she's working on atleast one more. I feel torn as to how I should go about getting her back on schedule. She's got this blood curdling cry that is so hard for me to take that always makes me cry. She's a stubborn one that's for sure. I'm longing for the days where I walked out of the room while the mobile was on and then watched her roll to her side and go to sleep from the monitor. Has anyone else encountered this? What works?

[fuzzy]

Stick to the routine!Keep doing what you were doing before you went on vacation!I believe that it's around this time that all babies go through a bedtime/nighttime routine mess-up!Keeping to your guns seems to be the only way of having those nights you are longing for:)I know it's hard (tugs at the heart strings)but it's what they need and it's what you need to.As for the teething stuff do you give Tylenol/ Motrin?Or oralgel?I used to make sure to give him some tylenol before bed.If he woke up in the middle of the night I'd kinda go through the same type of bed routine(change bum,give a bottle(milk)..cuddle and when he was finished(sometimes I'd give him Tylenol again)I'd put him in bed ("snug as a bug in a rug")and leave the room and go back to bed my-self.He cried for a while a few nights but it didn't last long once I stuck to the same routine.I hope this helps:)
Melissa

[MamaT]

My son too had that cry that made you want to cry. but i agree with fuzzy... stick to your routine. When we got my MIL's, it's a strange place for our son because we're not there that often (she lives 2 and a half hours away and with gas prices.. sheesh!) but i make sure i stick to the routine otherwise he gets the upperhand and im up for days with no sleep.
I found a trick that works for teething for my son. Freezer pops! i dont suggest them at bedtime due to the sugar in them, but during the day they work great, plus its a yummy treat ona hot day. at night try the orajel.. they have daytime and nighttime ones, and see how it works!
good luck!

[kaiya23]

If teething, consider even giving tylenol at bedtime. My daughter was cutting her eye teeth (both at the same time), had been sleeping through the night since five weeks and at 13 months had night waking issues again. I don't like the thought of medicating her to sleep, but if she's in pain and she's not getting the rest like she needs it's appropriate.

And I agree. Stick to your guns and go about the day like it was before your trip, putting her down for a nap at the same time and in the same manner. Feed her at the same time and after about a week of this consistency she should be back on track.

[MommaC]

Yep--you'll have to retrain her. I swear by Dr Weissbluth's "Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child". If you just can't hack the crying it out (I sure can't!), there's a less-cry method and a no-cry method. Just set up her sleep routine to help her wind down and relax...she'll learn to go to sleep on her own again. Give it some time and stick to your guns.