Why won't he sleep?????

[littleraysofsunshine]

My almost 15 month old just won't sleep. He goes to bed sleeps about three hours. Then I go to bed and he will wake all night. He's in our room but he's worse than a newborn. Just knows I'm there next to him maybe??

[littleraysofsunshine]

He's still breastfed, I thought that giving him an additional bottle before bed would help but no difference at all. It's made him worse. I think he's teething but still, his sleep has got worse over age. He's never slept through but this waking is constant now. Every hour.

He's recently overcome chicken pox so this hasn't helped and he's on a cig next to us. Co sleeping doesn't work, cor doesn't seem to be working, water through the night, feeds if he wants it all these things I've tried and in lost! He's my third but by far the worst sleeper. My girls went into their own room at12 months which helped but it's not an option just yet.

I'm not sure what else to try. I won't do CIO. He has just had a crazy fit because I won't feed him as he not long had milk and he woke 20mins after my head hit the pillow.

He's currently sat on my lap, pulling at my boobs looking at me like , hurry up. Ahhhh help!

[littleraysofsunshine]

I've just given in and fed him. I usually would have if in need or comfort of upset. But he's waking like every hour or so at the minute. As if he knows I'm there but the separation anxiety kicks in.

He's taking steps but not walking completely alone so this frustration might be adding to it.

Then I end up moody from sleep deprivation

[littleraysofsunshine]

Now he's asleep after all that. Just wanted my boob. But he will wake soon!!!

[Ineedacleaningfairy]

I night weaned at 15 months and we all slept much better! Google gentle night weaning, jay Gordon has some good ideas.

[littleraysofsunshine]

Tried not feeding but it's tiring! The only thing we haven't seen results from us own room

[ponybark]

sounds like it could be one of the wonder weeks (google it if you've not heard already about it) or something (they can go on a few weeks) if he's building up to walking.

that said definitely night wean - no pain no gain - hard at first but gets easier after a few days and you will be soooo glad you tolerated the few days of difficulty. I wish I had night weaned way way earlier than I did as I felt subhuman for so long until I did.

[alteredimages]

No advice littlerays but my 15mo is the same. Can't wait to wean him!

[littleraysofsunshine]

How do you night wean without the CIO? I feel like I should know him being my third baby in four years but I guess they're all different! I know y girls had similar phases but not this severity.

[littleraysofsunshine]

It's a catch 22 really as I think oh he's still small, I don't want to wish it all away, but if feel zonked where he's feeding a lot. Especially in the day.

[ponybark]

I think you can't night wean without there being a bit of crying and at 10m old they will pick up the vibe within a few days of what they are meant to do (i.e. sleep through) so don't worry about upsetting them too much; it's just a bit of hunger / crying (by that age they have learned if they cry you come running with food!). They will learn and more quickly than you realise. What is more important is your sanity!!! So short term pain for you (and them), long term gain for both of you - ie you feel much more human, they have a happier mum.

what you could do is get a buggy and low lighting in a room and some lullabies and just push it back and forwards

I wished away the first couple of years due to sleep deprivation which was hellish (and I had bad PND due to it) and once I nightweaned I felt human again. Worth the difficulties for a decent nights sleep and don't stress about the child being upset. They are learning machines and will cope.

I also had a terrible time with the hormonal fluctuations of breastfeeding and felt soooo much better when I had given it up (when DS was just over two). Beware that every time you drop a feed your hormones will go a bit mad and you might feel worse for a bit but it will level out eventually. Good luck!

[alteredimages]

No idea, littlerays. I will pack him off to nursery which should help with him wanting to bf all day, and I reckon the night feeds should resolve a bit once he is busier during the day. I hope so, anyway!