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4 months becoming hell

21 replies

Pickles77 · 05/01/2013 05:02

Please please help. My four month old used to do 8-8. She was in a great routine. It goes like-
8am awake, nappy change, bottle.
9-9.30 nap
Feed play feed change
1pm-3.30 nap
3.30-5.30 feed play change
530-6 nap
7 bath
730 bottle
8 sleep
1030 dream feed.

Now she fights sleep so bad she won't sleep afternoons until 5 and wakes so quickly.
At night she fights if so bad I'm up until 11 she looks exhausted and gets so overtired its hell.
Then she's up at 3,4,5,6,7 then crashes out.

She's FF If that's any relevance there's no health issues. We thought she was teething but it seems not. I'm exhausted.
She just wants to be held and cuddles all the time when she knows its sleep time. But about 10pm I can get her in her cot.
I have several lullabys lights and a Ewan the dream sheep.
I'm so sorry for long post. Maybe it's me as in stressed I'm sorry for typos, I can't keep my eyes open.
She wants to get in bed with me all the time but co sleepings not practical.

Please help me Hmm

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aimingtobeaperfectionist · 05/01/2013 05:46

Try not to get upset with yourself, babies change their routine all the time so this isn't something you've done. Have you thought about a short period of co-sleeping? Just to get some rest for yourself? Having a good nights sleep makes things easier. Don't worry too much about routine at this point as baby is still quite young for that.

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letsgetreadytoramble · 05/01/2013 05:57

That sounds awful, poor you. I think you should call your health visitor for advice, mine was really helpful when I had sleep issues with my DS and she said to call her anytime if I needed support. They know how hard it is to function if you're not getting sleep.

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Pickles77 · 05/01/2013 06:39

And she's up again.
My HV is useless and no way can i nor want to sleep. Mainly due to my nightmares

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llamallama · 05/01/2013 06:44

It sounds exactly like the 4 month sleep regression, my DD was the same! It will pass!

Will she nap in the car? Or out in the pram? For months that was the only way I could get my DD to nap and I always fed her to sleep at night!

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princesssmartypantss · 05/01/2013 07:31

my ds developed some 'challenging' sleep patterns around 4 months, if i knew then what i know now (ds is 18m) i would have bought Elizabeth pantley no cry sleep solution earlier! it was really useful at giving lots of suggestions on how to get a baby to sleep better so should do part of the job your hv isn't. my other suggestion is to get as much sleep and rest as you can, go to bed as early as possible, preferably getting ready for bed when you get baby ready for bed and going to bed shortly after and resting or sleeping during naps. i used to try to do housework when ds was asleep but in reality i could do bits whilst he was awake as really at 4 months he was happy chatting to me while i wiped down the kitchen etc, not so keen on noisy vacuum still isn't. hope things improve for you soon. it will get better.

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Pickles77 · 05/01/2013 07:39

Thanks guys
Yes princess that's what I do regarding me and sleep. Just means I'm so exhausted I get nothing done, eg job applications as maternity ends.
Car and pram she will sleep in but as soon as the movement stops she's up.

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Iggly · 05/01/2013 07:49

This is the 4 month sleep regression combined with growth spurt. Do you feed her at night? She might need the extra feed at night and you can phase it out later again. Also might need to tweak her routine a little.

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Pickles77 · 05/01/2013 07:57

Yes she is eating tons like brtweent 3 and 5 she will do a eight oz after 8oz at 8 and 6oz dream feed.
One poo a day?
Should I be weaning her?
How would you tweak her routine?

Sorry for the questions I've severely frazzled! There's no one to have her for a night apart from me so I'm desperate Smile

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ticklemyboobsofsteel · 05/01/2013 09:00

I don't think weaning is a good idea - not recommended till 6 months, and the best and most satisfying thing for her right now will be milk. If its a growth spurt she needs the calories.

It's the 4-month sleep regression - honestly, it does pass and it is nothing you have done. There's just a whole lot going on for her at this stage of her life. I would literally just do whatever works to get through it.

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Pickles77 · 05/01/2013 09:29

Smile Thank you feel a bit more reassured now.
I tend to just try and make it up as I go along and have the odd wobble

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Iggly · 05/01/2013 09:37

Weaning wouldn't help because the food you give (fruit and veg) won't be as filling. When she gets to 6 months and can have protein then it'll help.


I'd bring her middle nap earlier - around 12/12.30 then she can have an afternoon nap as she might be fighting sleep from being too tired. Then bedtime earlier if she's up at 7 (so last feed at 6.30). Cuddle her to sleep until she gets used to the routine.

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Pickles77 · 05/01/2013 09:38

Ill keep you all updated Grin

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Pickles77 · 05/01/2013 18:55

Wish me luck, just had ten oz and is asleep! Wink

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Iggly · 05/01/2013 18:56

Fingers crossed!!!

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Pickles77 · 05/01/2013 19:38

Quick question- shall I still dreamfeed? What sort of time if so?

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Iggly · 06/01/2013 19:52

Try not one night? Otherwise 10ish?

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Pickles77 · 06/01/2013 19:59

Last night I didn't and she went 7pm-2am-7.30am was bliss!!!
Then today had her nap 12pm-3pm
Morning nap 8.45-9.45.

Thanks so far guys Smile

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princesssmartypantss · 06/01/2013 20:36

pleased all seems to be going well, i think too early for weaning, as said above not many calories in pureed fruit and veg, i am not sure if this is accurate (but a tempting idea even if not), i was told to have a snack (which i interpreted to be a piece of cake) around 4pm to improve quality of bedtime breastmilk, notsure if you are bf or bottle, but maybe cake a good idea either way!

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Pickles77 · 06/01/2013 20:41

Oooh i have to FF (medication) but cake sounds fantastic anyway. She didn't go to sleep until eight tonight as she's kept fighting after her bath. But she did drink 2 7oz bottles since 6pm, so will leave out a dream feed tonight.

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Pickles77 · 07/01/2013 15:46

Left out the dream feed and she's been up since 6.30 after waking at 2am but its okay as I am I'll myself.
She had a morning nap 8.30-10 and then went down at 12.30pm on the dot.
She's still asleep... Should I wake her?Shock
I'm struggling with what routine she should be in if anyone has a clue is be so very grateful.
I've made it up as i go along so far but kind of lost it a bit over Christmas Confused

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Angelico · 22/01/2013 19:42

Any improvement yet pickles? I am just starting into this circle of hell after previously having a good sleeper...

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