Talk

Flip

Join our Sleep forum for tips on creating a sleep routine for your baby or toddler.

Sleep

8 month old has never slept through the night, need help!

10 replies

Tiredmummy06 · 02/08/2015 20:20

Hi this is my first post here and I'm really in need of some advice. My 8 month old has never slept through the night. He goes to bed at 7 and puts himself to sleep (he has a dummy) and usually sleeps ok until about 2am. That's when the trouble starts.

Every single night he cries on and off from about 2.30am until he eventually goes back to sleep about 5.30am.

I've started feeding him again at night and usually he will guzzle a bottle down and go back to sleep, however sometimes he won't go back to sleep.

He was breastfed for 6.5 months and is now on formula and solids. He eats 3 meals a day and has 3 bottles a day.

He has also started pooing every night around 4am and so needs changed every night. His poos don't seem quite right either, they're very soft and really stink. I can't really leave him to cry as he wakens my 2 year old.

I'm back to work in 2 months and could honestly cry at the thought that this will still be happening. I'm getting about 4 or 5 hours broken sleep a night and I have headaches and feel quite sick every day from lack of sleep. Does anyone know what's going on with him? I'm at a loss!

OP posts:

Report

FATEdestiny · 02/08/2015 22:14

The first month or so of weaning often do result in digestive changes. These should settle in time. Smelly nappies is just because he's now on solids - very different to breastfed baby poo smell.

You could try varying the kind of food you give for dinner. I believe too much protein can lead to night tie poo issues.

For now, I'd just feed and try to settle. You may have some teething issues being added to the mix.

Report

MrsLeighHalfpenny · 02/08/2015 22:17

Some kids don't sleep through all night every night until much later than 8 months. I don't think there's anything to worry about. It's probably pooing that wakes him up.

Report

CoteDAzur · 02/08/2015 22:20

You will soon get a lot of debate on this thread, but you basically have two options:

(1) Wait until baby decides to sleep through the night, taking his sweet time. This might not happen before he is about 2 years old.

(2) Sleep training. This will involve cutting out night feeds and some crying for a couple of days, until his metabolism adjusts to eating/feeding only in the day.

Report

SweetAndFullOfGrace · 02/08/2015 22:21

My DD has never slept through the night and she's 19 months. I've been back at work full time since she was 5.5 months - it's tough. She just gets hungry in the night, so we give her a bottle, no point in fighting it. Cosleeping helps too.

Good luck. Path of least resistance helped us. Forgetting everything you've been told about what babies "should" do helps as well.

Report

jessplussomeonenew · 03/08/2015 08:09

If you have a partner, sleeping in shifts really helps to ensure you both get at least some uninterrupted sleep.

Report

Tiredmummy06 · 03/08/2015 12:29

Thanks everyone. I suppose I know there's no real answer. I was very lucky with my first who slept 12 hrs a night from 6 months. I was expecting the same again and boy was I wrong!

Teething is definitely playing a part. Last night he was hysterical at midnight. His tummy was rumbling so I fed him and he then slept for 6 hours! He'd had a bottle at 7 before he went to bed. Can he really be so hungry at night? I could hear his tummy rumbling again when he woke up at 6am this morning.

OP posts:

Report

mariposa10 · 03/08/2015 13:03

I don't think the rumbling means he's hungry, it's more likely to be digestion or wind? Perhaps he's uncomfortable because of gas due to something he is eating? He's not used to the formula? Maybe ask the HV for advice if you're not sure.

Report

Jellylorum · 03/08/2015 18:31

I had something similar and what improved things for me at nine months was stopping night feeds and ditching the dummy. A few tough nights but we cuddled instead and didn't leave alone. things soon got much easier.

Report

Rosegaia82 · 04/08/2015 15:09

The poo and screaming, it does sound like teeth. My l/o was up every 45 mins/hour from 3-10 months and then suddenly settled down a LOT. Teeth always bring it back though.
It's BLOODY HARD but hang in there.
Being gentle and empathetic with them is the best way to go, it's a long-game not a short one and these nights will fade in memory quickly, but being kind will be the basis of your relationship with them.

Of course do recruit help though, that's extremely important if it's available.

Report

Tiredmummy06 · 04/08/2015 19:32

Thank you Rosegaia82, you have reassured me. Nothing else for it but patience I suppose.