Help me, what am I not doing right? Sleep/bottle problems

[EmmieA]

Little boy is 13 weeks old, born 10lb and is noe 19 so he is a very good weight. From 8 weeks he has gone down in his cot (in our room) at 7pm and slept until either we woke him for a feed or he woke hmeself, usually between 10-11.30. He is a model baby in the day but not great at napping, not a rigid pattern. Just lately he wakes every single hour in the night. He will settle/sleep on me but soon as try to put him down or within 30 mins he wakes screaming. He seems to quite like his cot so can't fathom it out. He is exclusively BF and a very happy baby is every other way. What am I doing wrong? There may be a chance that he is teething and he definately has a cold but he used to only wake at 3am and 6am before.

Other issue is he now wont have a bottle! He had an expressed one every night since 3 weeks and is now refusing. Tried all the obvious.

I had one hours sleep last night, and the few before, please help!

Is it the 12 week growth spurt that people talk about? Ds2 is 11 weeks and is feeding every 1-2 hours through the night too (he's ebf). We co sleep though so once he's fed I'm just popping him down beside me and going straight back to sleep myself. I know it's hard when you're exhausted but I promise it will pass. The one thing I have learnt from ds1 is that EVERYTHING is a phase.
Sorry I can't be of more help. Trying to type this on my iPhone while feeding ds2 again! Just know that you're not alone :)

Thanks Tamdin, I do hope you are right but it's been about 5 days now and am worried I'm doing something or not doing something that I should be. I never know whether after putting him down at 7pm should I wake him for a feed about 10.30 or wait till he wakes himself, wish they came with a manual!

I've been feeding on demand so don't do a dream feed but wait until he wakes. It really does sound like a growth spurt to me. Kellymom is an excellent website for advice if you haven't already been on it. You could also re post this in the breastfeeding topic as they're are some very experienced mnetters on here whom I'm sure will be along to help :)

Basically what I'm saying is I'm no expert! :o
I worried and fretted about all sorts of things with ds1 and now he's 5 and I can't remember any of it! I'm going with the flow with ds2. Following his lead and enjoying him so much more. Hence I'm crap at any practical advice!
I'm sure though that no sooner have you worried come up with a plan he'll have come out the other side x

Not sure about the sleep issue - could be a growth spurt.

My DS started refusing the bottle around the same age - maybe a bit later. Could definitely be teething and the teat might be hurting his gums. I think this was an issue with my DS, though it coincided with a growth spurt so could have been either.

When my DS goes through one of these phases he just seems to need a bit more comfort boob than normal, usually for his bedtime feed. It's usually a phase that passes.

Do you give him the bottle? If so, try getting someone else to do it. If you usually give him it, stay well out of the way and see if he'll take it from someone else if he thinks he has no other option.

My DS did this at 15 weeks - growth spurt - can last a week or so. Try feeding as much as you can in the day.
The cold will also be upsetting him so he'll be wanting comfort from you more.

You could try a dream feed at 10.30pm and see if it makes a difference. EBF if he takes a bottle or you can do a bf dreamfeed. Just carefully pick him up out of the cot with low lighting and gently put teat/nipple to his mouth. It can take a few mins but don't force anything. Then put him back in cot (don't change him unless you really have to)

Try expressing a feed and get DP to give it to him so you can get some rest (even during the day)

It will pass honest!

I would get him checked by the doctor - you say he has a cold and he could be waking from ear infection discomfort.

That aside, I agree with what everyone else said about growth spurt, but would also check that he's not gassy and waking as he has tummy ache from that - colic - and I would also see if you can rub some baby bonjela on his gums to relieve the teething.

What a big healthy boy though otherwise - how lovely!!!

Another thought, teething gels only last 20 minutes or so. You could try the homeopathic teething powders you can get from Boots. I use Nelsons. They last up to two hours and many people swear by them.

I have the gels and powders and do use them and they help in the day but just can't work out why he wont sleep. He has his jabs tomorrow too, oh the joys!