Will there ever be consistency????

[Taler]

I expected that by 11 months old we would have an element of consistency in terms of our DD's sleep patterns. Clearly a stupid thing to think!!!

We go to bed each night not knowing whether she'll sleep through, wake occasionally for a cuddle and her dummy or wake every single hour for no apparent reason!

I realise that all parents can never know if their child will wake but I'm pretty sure the majority of you can at least have a fair bet.

She's not hungry when she wakes (she's been used to no middle of the night feed for many months now), her nappy doesn't need changing, she will have had adequate teething meds where needed (and of course if we feel she needs more in the middle of the night we'll give her more).

I just don't understand it? What are we doing we wrong?

[EmbarrassedPossessed]

The only consistency is that things alway change. Try not to think in terms of what "should" be happening - all babies are different, there is no should!

You haven't done anything wrong, at all. It's just how things are. She might be experiencing some separation anxiety, a developmental leap, it could be a little too cold/hot in her room etc etc. Hard to tell, really.

[Taler]

I know things change all the time and that as soon as you get used to one thing it changes in no time at all. But this sleep thing just doesn't seem right to me.

She could be too hot/cold but would've thought unlikely as her room is thermostatically controlled. Plus why one night she sleeps through and the following wakes several times?

[icklekid]

Thanks for posting makes me feel reassured- ds slept through 4 nights then last 2 up every hour or so, I've had no sleep and lying here wondering what I did differently. . Nothing!!! Only 3 months old so don't expect sleeping through but more than an hour at a time is required!

[Peanutbutternutter419]

My DS was exactly the same at that age...would sleep through a couple of nights in a row and we would think...amazing! But then the next night he would wake up loads and we would feel back at square one!

I am thinking of you as I know how tiring it is but stick with it and it should get better. For what it's worth, my DS did start sleeping better when we stopped giving a bottle of milk at bedtime, think it gave him wind and was uncomfortable.

[Angelik]

It is utterly normal and might happen on and off for a few years yet. i think sometimes they have restless sleep in the same way as we do and just need cuddles to make them feel relaxed and happy again. Just keep doing what you're doing and try not to think about what 'might' happen tonight and agree with partner before you go to bed whose turn it is to see to her if she does wake.

my dd 23 months mostly sleeps well but a couple of nights this week has refused to go to sleep (lays down, starts to drift then jolts, arms come up with a very tearful 'cuddle mummy pease' sob sob). I will never know why. I just accept it as an anomaly, enjoy the cuddle (my second and last baby) and push it to the back of my mind.

[SleepyLambs]

She may be overtired. When babies are overtired they produce cortisol (stress hormone) and cortisol causes little ones to fight sleep further. Her day schedule and amount of sleep come into play as well. I would look at how long she's awake between nap times in the day and between naps as bed. There are many other things that can be considered and it's hard to say without doing a full investigation but it's one consideration.

[Taler]

Thank you.

Her day time naps WERE really good a few months ago. Regular and similar durations. But since starting nursery (goes twice a week) that's all gone out the window!

The staff do their best but she tends to have one, possibly two 30 minute naps a day, which isn't enough at all!

[Rtfairy]

My 11 month old is exactly the same, she sleeps through a couple of nights then we have a couple of awful nights for no apparent reason. I got a bit obsessed with her sleep and naps a couple of months ago but now I've decided to just relax and take things as they come, I'm sure they will be good sleepers one day!