My 4 month old won't settle. Any tips please?

[Lexingtonlala]

Our DS has never been the best sleeper but things seem to be getting worse. We're really having a tough time. Whereas he used to settle between feeds at night now he wakes more often and screams like he's on fire. We used to get a few hours off between 7.30 and 10 but now it takes ages to put him down and it seems he could wake at any time. We're trying reflux antacids and cranial osteopathy but at the moment these don't seem to be having much effect. Are we missing anything? Any advice humbly received. Thanks.

16 weeks is classic huge-growth-spurt, huge-developmental-spurt and babies that have seemed like they're settling down into a nice rhythm tend to throw it all out the window at 16 weeks! Are you breastfeeding? If so he may want to feed and feed and feed to boost your supply, and will probably want to feed more at night too - every two hours would be standard. There's also a lot going on in his little brain and he'll be more unsettled generally for a bit till he learns to cope with the new stuff.

yep, 4 month sleep regression...hang in there!

Thanks so much for that - even though we're going slightly out of our minds, it's hugely encouraging to know this is normal. I am breast feeding and things are just as you say, Octaviapink. Hopefully things will settle down again soon, but you've both given me hope!

Info on 4 month sleep regression here, here, here and here.

Try co-sleeping, lying down feeding and making bedtime earlier.

It does pass, but it's horrible while it lasts.

Thanks for the tips, AngelDog - I was wondering if bringing bed time forward would help. And you're right, feeding lying down is a trick that's saved me on many occasions. It's really reassuring to know this sort of hiccup is normal. Still, hope things settle a little again soon.