7mo staring for hours at night

[Spider5]

Hi! First post on mumsnet and it’s for advice about my 7 month old.

He has always been a poor sleeper but since moving him into his cot he has started waking at random times during the night for 2-3 hours. I wouldn’t mind so much if he was happy...but he stares into one spot without moving, just blinking. Doesn’t even cry. I’ve tried going in and comforting, holding, feeding but nothing works. As soon as he’s back in his cot he starts the staring. It goes on for hours until he must be so exhausted he finally closes his eyes.

I’d happily co sleep but he was waking so much and just wasn’t comfortable.

I don’t think the staring for hours is normal sleep behaviour and I’m concerned being so tired all the time is affecting his development. He doesn’t nap well...30-40 mins x3 a day and wakes crying every time but won’t let me help him go back off. I Just don’t know what to do to help him :( my HV suggested controlled crying...not helpful when he doesn’t really cry during the night and he’s exhausted enough as it is!

If you have any experience or advice I’d love to hear it :)

[LouiseTrees]

How many hours is he getting at night if you deduct the waking? Also what time is “bedtime” in your house? Nothing wrong with your day naps.

[superram]

Are you sure he’s not sleeping with his eyes open?

[Xiaoxiong]

What's his breathing like when he is staring, is it slow and regular? Could he be sleeping with his eyes open? DS1 did that as a baby and still does sometimes. DS2 never did.

I do it too and when my DH met one of my exes, my ex was like "just to warn you, she sleeps with her eyes open sometimes" and DH said "oh yes I had noticed" and they had a good laugh about how freaky it was