Jessica: Dear Dr. Weissbluth,
I found your book a complete blessing!!
This is my second child; my fiance and I had a routine and everthing was going very well with our son. Naps, bedtime, etc. Very unexpectedly my fiance passed away not even a month ago; May 18th, 2007. Our son is only 6 months old; however, I know he misses his daddy and is grieving also. Forget about his “schedule”—he doesn’t really have one anymore. I keep everything the same to give him the comfort knowing we are still home.
My more-little guy, Brayden, is usually in bed by 8:00pm, now it’s much later—whenever I can get him from screaming so loud and gasping for air to comfort him to sleep. He wakes up many times during the night and each time wants a bottle even if it may be a few sips. Then, with the hours I’ve slept still able to be count on one hand, he’s crying to get up for the day—most of the time it’s not even 6:00am! His naps are usually a fight now also, unless he is just to tired and just gives in. Then they last for 15 minutes—30 if I’m lucky!
What am I to do?? I know we’re both missing Dad terribly, but I cannot grieve because I’m going through this pretty much alone. I am physically, mentally and emotionally worn out. WE CANNOT GO ON THIS WAY :(
Please, I’m begging you Dr. Your advice worked for us a few months ago. How do I get him back on schedule during this very painful time in our lives? Does he know what’s going on? We were a very close family—he was Papabear’s babybear. Now I’m begging for your help to keep Mamabear and babybear healthy and finally get some sleep.
Please, any suggestions and/or advice is greatly appreciated and welcomed.
Sincerely,
Jessica & Brayden
Sally Tannen: Hi Jessica,
I am so sorry for your loss. I can’t imagine how difficult things are for you now. I hope Dr. Weissbluth’s suggestions will help you to gain back some control during this really hard time. If you are in the New York area, and would like to stop by the 92nd Street Y Parenting Center, I would be happy to talk with you. Please feel free to contact me anytime.
Regards,
Sally Tannen
Director, 92nd Street Y Parenting Center
Dr. Marc Weissbluth: Jessica,
The loss of a loved one sends life into a tailspin. To gain control and avoid a crash landing, sleep routines have to be re-established. Extremely regular sleep routines provide security and your child will be fine. A temporary super-early bedtime and a temporary family bed might help restore the accumulated sleep debt.
Sincerely,
Marc Weissbluth, M.D.
Professor of Clinical Pediatrics
Feinberg School of Medicine
Northwestern University
This question for sleep expert and author Dr. Marc Weissbluth was recently added to the comments of our original 
