Sleep Help!

[BucketandSpade]

My four month old son is waking every hour through the night and has never slept for more than two hours in a row at night since he's been born. He has a good daytime routine; short nap in the morning, long two hour plus one in the middle of the day. He feeds regularly and well and settles himself easily for day naps and when he goes down for the evening at seven. I lay him down, kiss him goodnight, he smiles and then goes to sleep without a peep. He's breast fed, growing well and healthy, smily and adorable during the day. But the nights! I am completely at a loss. He isn't madly hungry, he only feeds for a minute or so when he wakes up and will sometimes go back to sleep with stroking alone, but will cry hard if he doesn't get either of these things. I think the problems started when he had his first cold at four weeks, then another, then another and then a horrible chest infection over New Year. He got used to waking every hour or so through the night when he was ill and hasn't learnt to go any longer now he's well. How can we get him to sleep longer at night? Is it too early for controlled crying? I have a 2.5 year old dd as well and I'm completely exhausted after four months of waking almost every hour. Beginning to feel like I'm not being a good parent to 2.5year old because am so tired. She was almost sleeping through the night by now. If anyone has some magic advice, I will hug them!

[BITCAT]

Sounds like he's not hungry so perhaps, leave to cry for while see if settles himself or have already tried that!! I was told bf mothers have unique smell to babies and this will comfort them so maybe thats what he's after, especially as you say feeds for minute then goes back to sleep. I know some people don't like the idea of dummies but if it alleviates the problem so you may get some sleep, and you have a 2.5 yr old to care for too!! I feel for you my ds1 used to want to be near me all night for 1st 3mths, i had no sleep or very little. My hv advised me to put a jumper or t-shirt of mine that i had worn in cot with baby, i had my reservations but believe me it worked, did it for 2-3weeks and he slept like a dream. Just getting them used to sleeping with out the comfort of mummy!!!