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Original poster

Anyone up? Baby won’t settle at all

36 replies

Candle81 · 07/02/2025 01:11

DS 9 months is usually a fantastic sleeper but he will not settle at all. We’re away from home visiting family, we’re keeping everyone awake which is worse. What can I do? He’ll fall asleep on me for 10 mins then wake up screaming. Any ideas?

OP posts:
theduchessofspork · 07/02/2025 01:13

Try walking them around the house for a while - or if that doesn’t work quickly then I’d go out for a drive

Movement usually does it -

Sorry you’re having a crap night

Original poster
Candle81 · 07/02/2025 01:15

I’ve been pacing around for a couple of hours, he’ll fall asleep but then wake up again!

Had a couple of glasses of wine earlier. Do you think it’s safe to drive now? I stopped drinking at 9.30.

He usually sleeps 7-7 this is very unusual! I’ve checked nappy, given several bottles, given Calpol in case its teeth.

OP posts:
theduchessofspork · 07/02/2025 01:16

… if you’ve got any calpol you could also add that for belt and braces

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

Babies & sleep Children's sleep Families
CornishTeaTime · 07/02/2025 01:18

Sounds like teething. My DS whenever he was out of sorts for no reason and like yours a great sleeper 6.30pm till 7am and wouldnt settle was always teething.
I would put him in bed with you and coluddle and pat co sleep for tonight

minimama2boys · 07/02/2025 01:20

I second calpol and also if he's teething apply some teething powder/crystals etc to help baby. Mines is similar age and currently driving me insane so you have my sympathies

Chuchoter · 07/02/2025 01:21

A someone else soothe baby as baby may be picking up on your anxiousness?

theduchessofspork · 07/02/2025 01:23

Sorry cross posted on the calpol

Well rather than casually say oh you’ll be fine to drive, I just had a google and the alcohol info sites all seem to say up to 3 hours for a glass and 4.5 hours for half a bottle - so unless you are tiny you should be fine - so go for a drive is what I’d do if you feel awake enough -

https://action-rehab.com/how-long-does-alcohol-stay-in-your-system/
I am not suggesting you have a drink problem, it’s just sites like this that have the info…

How Long Does Alcohol Stay in Your System?  - Action Rehab

Alcohol consumption is commonly a rapid activity. Without control, one glass of wine can turn into a bottle, one pint of beer can turn into a binge, one How long does alcohol stay in your system is a commonly understated question. See how long it reall...

https://action-rehab.com/how-long-does-alcohol-stay-in-your-system

Original poster
Candle81 · 07/02/2025 01:23

The only other people here are my parents who have work tomorrow! So I don’t want to wake them up. I tried putting him in with me but he just rolls around the bed. Currently sat on the sofa with him over my shoulder but he’s still crying every 10 mins.

OP posts:
Original poster
Candle81 · 07/02/2025 01:28

minimama2boys · 07/02/2025 01:20

I second calpol and also if he's teething apply some teething powder/crystals etc to help baby. Mines is similar age and currently driving me insane so you have my sympathies

He hasn’t got any teeth yet so it could be teething. I’ve given Calpol but will have to try and get some teething powders tomorrow. If I make it to tomorrow!

OP posts:
Chuchoter · 07/02/2025 01:28

Your baby sounds unwell more than teething pain. Can you tell if they have a high temperature?

Can you look inside mouth to see if gums are red or sore?

Chocoholicnightmare · 07/02/2025 01:29

Oh I'm so sorry you're up with an upset baby. My guess would be something like an ear infection- they can be so painful. Is he pulling his ear at all? Is he a bit snotty? Could it be tummy ache? If he's up at this time and not even sleeping when cuddling you, it sounds like he's got some discomfort xx

Original poster
Candle81 · 07/02/2025 01:30

Chuchoter · 07/02/2025 01:28

Your baby sounds unwell more than teething pain. Can you tell if they have a high temperature?

Can you look inside mouth to see if gums are red or sore?

No fever and he has seemed fine in himself all day. He’s not off his food at all. The only thing I can think of is he strained for a poo earlier and has been doing a lot of farts. I’m wondering if he has a bit of wind that’s bothering him.

OP posts:
Original poster
Candle81 · 07/02/2025 01:32

And yes he’s been snotty for over a week! I’ve got the Calpol plugin in his room but that doesn’t seem to have helped him.

OP posts:
Chocoholicnightmare · 07/02/2025 01:32

I found the baby ibuprofen hit the spot better than calpol with teething. Get him something to chew on. Yes- could be discomfort of wind. Does infacol help with that? Hope your day goes better tomorrow x

MrsJHernandez · 07/02/2025 01:34

Candle81 · 07/02/2025 01:30

No fever and he has seemed fine in himself all day. He’s not off his food at all. The only thing I can think of is he strained for a poo earlier and has been doing a lot of farts. I’m wondering if he has a bit of wind that’s bothering him.

Show quote history

Could he be constipated? That can be very painful in your stomach.

I hope he goes to sleep soon! 🤞

hereismydog · 07/02/2025 01:38

I’m up too with a colicky/windy 6 week old 😞 he’s finally dozed off after screaming on and off for hours, I got two big burps and six farts out of him before he fell asleep so I’m hoping he is feeling a bit better!

coxesorangepippin · 07/02/2025 01:40

Does he have a dummy?

Feel your pain op, up with a crying baby is no fun whatsoever

☕

Original poster
Candle81 · 07/02/2025 01:43

He usually has a dummy but he’s refusing it atm, or spitting it out. Hes been asleep on my shoulder for half an hour or so now, so I’m thinking of trying the transfer to cot so I can get some sleep… he crawls so I’m reluctant to put him in bed with me.

OP posts:
anonhop · 07/02/2025 01:44

Also up with a baby who always sleeps through until tonight! Do you breastfeed? I'm just feeding for comfort atm.

No advice just you are not alone on the nightshift!! You're doing great x

Original poster
Candle81 · 07/02/2025 01:46

No I don’t breastfeed, to be honest he’s down to only two bottles now although I’ve given three since 7pm in the hope I could get him into a milk coma! It’s 10000 times more difficult when I’m not at home as I’m worried about waking everyone up and at the same time, my DH isn’t here to do a shift. I think this is the worst night I’ve ever had with him, including the newborn days.

OP posts:
martinisforeveryone · 07/02/2025 01:48

Sympathy from someone who survived nights like these and who now has insomnia.

https://www.babycentre.co.uk/l25014847/how-to-massage-your-baby-aiding-digestion-photos

I would lie mine across my lap on their tummy and massage their back, or pulling their legs up and down as on that link.

Otherwise it would be teething or earache. Usually there were the telltale signs with those though.

How to massage your baby: aiding digestion (photos)

Does your baby suffer from tummy troubles? These easy-to-follow massage techniques can help relieve your little one's symptoms.

https://www.babycentre.co.uk/l25014847/how-to-massage-your-baby-aiding-digestion-photos

Catpuss66 · 07/02/2025 01:59

Sometimes if they have tummy ache lying them on your legs & rubbing their backs can help. The warmth from your legs helps with the pain or you could ring
https://www.cry-sis.org.uk.

The Cry-sis Helpline | Support for parents with crying and sleepless babies

https://www.cry-sis.org.uk

ImDoneOnceAndForAll · 07/02/2025 02:02

If he wakes again, lay him on his back and do some bicycle kicks with his legs. Try get that wind moving

Difficultwill · 07/02/2025 02:17

Baby massage helps sometimes as does laying baby on his tummy on your arm head in your hand legs by your elbow. I think it is called sleeping tiger or something similar. Very good for wind.
Good luck. Hopefully he will sleep more today so you can get some naps

Waffle19 · 07/02/2025 02:45

Is it your first night away from home of the trip? The new surroundings may be unsettling them.

Sometimes it is easier to just let them get up for a bit and then go back to bed rather than just get stressed trying to constantly rock them etc.

From someone who has been up since 1am with their 20 month old who is a terrible sleeper…. I am jealous of your normal 7-7 sleeping baby but also know how frustrating it is when they just won’t settle so you have my sympathies, lots of coffee all round tomorrow.