My 9 month old is waking continuously through the night, please help!

[clara1980]

Hi, my 9 month old has never been a particularly good sleeper and has always woken through the night a few times. I usually give her a drink of milk and she'll go back off to sleep or lay in her cot 'chatting' to herself until she falls asleep.

But it seems to be getting worse, she's now waking crying continuously through the night and sometimes is awake for up to two hours. I feel like we've regressed. It's probably my own fault for giving her milk every time but it was always the quick fix.

She is now waking on and off from about 9.30pm and always used to sleep through til about 2 which is when I would then give her some milk. The problem is she never finishes her bed time bottle, only ever has about half. I have tried waking her up to finish it but she just won't take it so I always worry that she will be hungry so try and give her the rest before I go to bed, which I think has created a sleeping habit of waking up whatever. She normally has about 4 or 5 oz before bed but I feel she should have 7 or 8oz because she doesn't have much milk during the day. She does eat well though and has three meals and some snacks.

She is basically not going more than 4 hours without waking up, and I think at 9 months she should be able to go longer than that. I don't mind getting up once, as I think maybe she could wake up thirsty in the night and some babies just do wake up. But it's the excessive waking that is starting to get me down, I'm not sure what to do about it. I don't think I have the heart to do controlled crying.

She is such a little poppet and is always happy, but I think she'd be even happier having had a good night sleep.

Please help anyone?! I feel less able to function now than when she was a newborn!
x

[clara1980]

I forgot to add, that she hasn't actually been very well lately and still has no teeth so I think she is teething.

x

[shmoz]

Teething will certainly disrupt her sleep (and yours!).

I wish I could advise but I'm the mistress of bad habits with my own DS (7mo) who is currently waking every 2 hrs on the dot . He cut his teeth early and he was even worse during the night then

I also haven't got the heart to do controlled crying btw.

Hope someone comes along with some good advice for you.

[kerenzasmum]

I started giving water in a bottle during the night which seems to have helped a bit. If she starts crying again when I put her down then I just leave her and she is normally settled within about 10 mins (usually less). She definately wakes up more when teething but I try to stick to the same routine. It does take a few nights to work but it is worth it in the long run.

I was told by HV (at 10months) that dd only needed 2 bottles of formula a day and would not need any by the time she is one so I wouldn't worry too much about how much milk you are giving her if she is eating well.

[upsandowns]

I'm so glad it's not just us. Our Little girl (9 months)has never been great at night but now wakes at least every 3 hours, she's better if I sleep with her but my husband misses me and it's not a long term solution. She's also hugely happy generally and I can't bear to let her cry. I'm hoping someone has some good advice. I've heard that the non cry sleep solution is good, I'll let you know how we get on.

[MoonFaceMamaaaaargh]

This has the nine month sleep regression written all over it. It is nothing you have done. Tis a developmental thing. I believe it normally lasts a few weeks.

Ds went through an extended up and down rough patch for some months before walking at 13m. Them another developmental spurt rough patch with proper getting up for hours at 15m...then started (pretty much) sleeping through of his own accord. Touch wood.

Despite what people will tell you hunger is a possibility. At 15m ds would demolish small meals in the night despite eating lots during the day/eve.

At one milk (bm or formula) should be most of their diet (70% iirc) but as long as she is having milk during the day i'm sure she'll be fine.

Ime while sleep does improve over time it doesn't do it in a steady line of progress iyswi...more two steps forward one back. But then we have chosen not to do any "sleep training". Have heard good things re no cry sleep solution.

[bibbitybobbityhat]

9/10 months is the stage with both my dc when I decided to try controlled crying. Am so very glad I did!

[TheHouseofMirth]

Conversely, 9 months is when I started co-sleeping wih DS1. Knocked the problem on the head in one night.