So you may have noticed a (ahem) few posts wherein I rant about Tara not sleeping.
She doesn’t sleep.
Okay..she is sleeping now..but that doesn’t count.
………
I have also noticed that for someone who attended SFU, I have spent an inordinate amount of my life out at UBC. Between Acting Major friends, nights at the Pit Pub in my blurry youth….to now with each one of my kids working as volunteers with the Infant and Child Development Centre, I drive out there a lot.
Since Adam was a baby, then Caity, and now Tara, each one has helped the students with their research projects about infant and child cognitive and language development, by taking part in their little experiments and studies.
It has been a lot fun and they have been very open to chat and share the results of their studies.
In return the kids are given t-shirts, books, stickers and certificates…Caity is now an ‘Assistant Professor!’
So when I spotted a tweet about a SLEEP study out at UBC – a SLEEP study for INFANTS – well, I called the number right away.
I did mention that Tara does not sleep right?
We squeaked into the study and were presented with questions, sleep diaries and a motion monitor that Tara has to wear on her ankle to track how active she is.
After they get this weeks results, they will randomly put us into one of two different study groups and we will work within those parameters to see if we can work on her sleep habits.
They are hoping that the results from this study will help BC parents get more help and support with sleep issues than currently exists.
Sleep deprivation sucks.
Not as bad as colic….but close.
Patrick and I feel that we have been hunkered down in ‘survival mode to get through this and manage the other kids and jobs and the rest of our lives.
Though we are used to it because Caity sucked at sleeping too.
And yes..we really do feel that we have tried everything. Though we have not gone running to the ‘professionals’ with her because we were skeptical about what new ideas they would offer.
This study at least will help others if not us.
And it is interesting anyway…filling out sleep diaries gives me something to do when I am up in the night 6 or 7 times.
Yawn.
I hope that you find an answer! Or some sleep of some kind. You have surely earned it.
.-= Amber´s last blog ..Bicycle Dreams =-.
This sounds interesting. I do hope the study helps! Obviously everyone in your house does too. *Fingers crossed*
.-= Marilyn @ A Lot of Loves´s last blog ..Tickle Monster =-.
Wish I’d had access to a study when both mine were babies. Definitely experienced some issues.
Hope you get some answers!
.-= Carrie´s last blog ..Wordless Wednesday: How does your garden grow =-.
You have my deepest sympathies. I really feel there is nothing worse that sleep deprivation. I hope the study helps!
I’m fascinated to see what comes out of this study and if it’s at all helpful on your end. G’luck with the wee prisoner!
.-= harrietglynn´s last blog ..Talking about adoption =-.
I know what you mean about not getting any sleep.
My little still wakes up in the middle of the night and my 2nd is due in 15 weeks.
You have my deepest sympathies. My daughter was a definite non-sleeper and when she did finally drift off she was awake again within a couple of hours. She didn’t sleep through a night until she was 18 months old by which time I was wandering around like a zombie. So good luck with the study as you are right – sleep deprivation sucks
.-= Kazzie´s last blog ..Removing Ticks From Your Pets =-.
If you haven’t read it yet, check out Dr. Weisbluth’s book Healthy Sleep, Happy Child. I used it with my kids (not the best sleepers) and although you have to take what he says with a grain of salt because he is a bit of a sleep nazi, it really works and the book is such a helpful reference. I make sure all my friends get a copy when I find out they are going to have a baby. I can’t recommend this book enough.