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Original poster

8.5 sleep.....

49 replies

sparker22 · 14/11/2013 15:51

I have an 8.5 month girly, she doesn't yet sleep through the night (Ive tried all sorts I'd things, currently trying the banana before bedtime as Ive heard amazing stories about bananas helping babies sleep through...not currently working though :-( )
Any tips on helping baby to sleep through? She cries the moment she starts to wake and is on her feet (in grobag) before her eyes are open!!)
Also, is kalms ok to take to help me drift off to sleep whilst looking after a baby as I gave terrible trouble getting to sleep these days.

Thanks :-)

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Middleagedmotheroftwo · 14/11/2013 15:58

I have news for you...some babies don't sleep through until they're about six years old! I think you just have to put up with it, assuming you've checked that she's not waking because she's cold, uncomfy, etc.

No idea about kalms - but they're herbal stuff aren't they, so probably pretty useless anyway!

Original poster
sparker22 · 15/11/2013 01:52

anyone? after any helpful hints ir tips?

I know that not all babies sleep through the night, I was just wondering if there was anything I could do/try that might help.

DD used to only wake once for a feed at around 3am. she usually goes to sleep around 8/9pm and can wake around 6/7.
the last few weeks she's been waking 2-3 times a night and I'm not sure what set of this change?

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Original poster
sparker22 · 17/11/2013 12:33

this is the first time on mumsnet that no ones replied with any helpful tips Sad

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Middleagedmotheroftwo · 17/11/2013 20:47

You could try ignoring her when she wakes to see if she goes back to sleep by herself. But I think 8 months is early to expect a baby to sleep through.

bellablot · 17/11/2013 20:58

I agree with middle aged, I've been through this, some babies sleep through, some don't. I've not had a full nights sleep in 6 years. Sorry I've got no tips but its a pipe dream I'm afraid, maybe try accepting this will be the way it rolls for a few years and start finding coping mechanisms.

purrtrillpadpadpad · 17/11/2013 21:03

I for one refuse to accept that my child will not sleep through until she is six and I think that is terribly unhelpful 'advice' to offer.

Op, I know you said you've tried all sorts, but what have you tried?

Kalms are fine by the way :)

dannisilvester · 17/11/2013 21:05

do you feed when she wakes up? my boy is 7 1/2months old and im having the same problem. ive started giving water instead of milk but i only started this last night so cant give you any result of it. i also go in..do what i need to do, dont talk to my son or kiss or cuddle him and go out. that way he doesnt want to wake for cuddles etc. hope this helps for u x i get you on the sleep thing as well. its like my body has become used to being awake at night so i struggle to catch my sleep x

Bobsmyaunty · 17/11/2013 21:06

My DD has a bit of trouble sleeping whenever she hits a growth spurt/developmental stage/teething/cold and then goes back to normal.

Sleep deprivation is awful so I totally sympathise. I would see how it pans out in the next week before worrying too much - it's probably a phase that won't last long!

Mine is 9months and doesn't often sleep through the night if that helps! I do feed her a lot and try to be consistent in the way I re-settle her which seems to help.

Hang in there, I bet it gets better soon and try not to send yourself crazy thinking about it (talking to myself more than you there - sorry!). Oh and meditation CDs are great for getting a sound night sleep yourself.

Good luck!

Original poster
sparker22 · 18/11/2013 05:09

I've tried resettling her with her dummy, stroking her back/head, quick cuddle and rock, giving her a banana for dinner, bath before bed (though shes not keen on baths so don't give her one every night), tried adjusting how many layers/thickness of layers, fleecy blankets on the mattress as not as chilly to touch as cotton sheets.

I was wondering whether she was thirsty rather then hungry at night but have yet to test that out so I'm interested to know your night went danni!

She used to sleep so well, waking once for a bottle, now she wakes 2/3 times :-( usually only have 3oz a time.

Bob, I dont think it could be a growth spurt or anything like that as this is around the 3/4th week in a row shes been like this.

Thanks to the helpful and sympathetic mumsnetters that replied.

Oh, and I would NEVER ignore my baby if she was crying!! I do not agree with that middleagedmotheroftwo!

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dannisilvester · 18/11/2013 20:17

ive had good results! first night i was up for an hour with him just offering the water and kept putting his dummy in but he didnt wake up again after that which was an achievement in itself....last night he only had a little sip of water at 1am then needed his dummy at 5am but then slept til 7! so i would say it is definately working for me. i genuinely think they wake for that tiny feed not because they need it but more for a comfort and reassurance. u can only try it and see if it works for u x im hoping im possibly 3rd nite lucky and could actually get a 4-5hr straight run of sleep for the first time in 7 1/2months

Original poster
sparker22 · 18/11/2013 21:05

great news for u!
I'm going to try water when she wakes up tonight, I'm thinking she must be thirsty since she has so little milk.
fingers crossed!!
will report back tomorrow Grin

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Alexa007 · 18/11/2013 21:54

If she is having 3 meals a day she doesn't need milk at night. When u have enough resolve bite the bullet, say no more milk. Water and comforting but don't get her out of cot. Should be much better after a week. Honestly!

dannisilvester · 19/11/2013 06:07

well i didnt get my hopeful 4-5hrs at once. he was quite unsettled last night waking every 2-3hours but i still never gave milk. he did have 5oz of water through the night tho x how did your night go? x

Original poster
sparker22 · 19/11/2013 08:54

well, my husband kept me up from 12-2 with his snoring Angry , then DD, woke at 2, 4 & 6. I didn't try the water I forgot Sad with being tired and annoyed from the snoring I grabbed the bottle of milk from the fridge instead of the water Sad will be doing it tonight though!!
sorry you didn't have the same good night as previously Sad
hopefully our babies will get the message soon! lol

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Original poster
sparker22 · 20/11/2013 02:38

well, so far....
shes been asleep since 8:30,woke at midnight and had 3oz water, woke at
2am and had 6.5oz milk.

she felt a little cool to me. shes got on, a long sleeved body suit/vest thing, pair of trousers, and s 2.5tog sleepbag. I'll put another layer on tomorrow night, but what kind of layer? another bodysuit/vest? T-shirt? sleepsuit (one with arms and legs?

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Original poster
sparker22 · 20/11/2013 09:15

after the 2am feed she slept till 6. I don't think the water thing really worked for us. she was still up 3 times, just 2 of those times where at different times Sad

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dannisilvester · 21/11/2013 07:25

im still been woken a few times but still not having to feed milk.he seems to take about 3-4ounces on his wake up at around midnight then either dummy or sips on the other wake ups. he went a bit longer between waking last night so i am noticing results but its just slow going but im going to be keep on with it. its so hard isnt it having broken sleep.i just hope he sleeps through by january because i return to work then x

dannisilvester · 21/11/2013 07:42

my son sleeps in a vest and a sleepsuit and a 2.5 tog sleeping bag plus a blanket and he stays lovely and warm all night x

Original poster
sparker22 · 21/11/2013 10:29

last night I didn't give in and give milk. DD woke countless times between 11 & 3, but only had water (4.5oz) at 3 I needed the good old lumineers hey ho song to get her back to sleep (that song always works!) then she slept till 6, gave milk then as I intended to get up and start breakfast shortly.... but we ended up having a 2.5 hour snuggle in bed!! oops!

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Original poster
sparker22 · 21/11/2013 10:31

last night she wore shirt sleeved vest, long sleeved pj top and long pj bottoms and her 2.5tog sleepbag. back of her neck felt chilly but I put my hand down back of her top to feel her back and it was nice and warm

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Original poster
sparker22 · 21/11/2013 20:38

good luck with tonight! Smile fingers crossed my phoebe got the hint last night that theres no more milk in the night!! Smile

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dannisilvester · 22/11/2013 08:52

how did last night go? thomas only woke once last night at 2.30.had less water than usual as well then slept til 6.40am then we got up. rrrr i wish my kids would let us have lie ins in bed. my 3yr old is like the army of a morning lol x

Original poster
sparker22 · 22/11/2013 15:19

woo hoo! go Thomas! Grin

phoebe was up twice, once at 1:30, then again at 4, had trouble getting back to sleep at 4, took an hour then she was up at 6....heres hoping to another good/better night!! Smile

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Original poster
sparker22 · 22/11/2013 15:36

dont know if it helped, the clinic woman said high fat/protein at dinner could help sleep, phoebe had cream cheese on toast, banana, and yogurt last night for dinner (did also give her Turkey but that went untouched).

tonight shes having chicken, cheese, carrot, and for 'afters' raspberries and extra thick full fat cream!! (as is mummy!! Grin )

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Original poster
sparker22 · 23/11/2013 04:39

phoebe ate all her dinner, except he carrots, but didn't go to sleep till 10pm! (usually asleep at 8!) and so far shes been up at 2:30 & now currently up at 4:30 Sad
these nights of constant broken sleep is really frustrating and bloody annoyingSad Sad Sad

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