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strange evening sleeping habits at 6 months

6 replies

StuckOnARollercoaster · 13/12/2013 21:40

Our DD has in the last 2 week's lost her good nighttime routine and I'm not sure what's going on and what to do next.

After her last feed we have a routine of a little play downstairs them upstairs for a nappy change, into sleepsuit, bedtime story then lights down and she can usually fall asleep in about 30 mins with me sat next to her with a little stroking.

She used to stay asleep then till 11/12 ish when I'd feed again and then sleep till 6am.

We had a period of I think teething causing eczema flare up about 2 weeks ago and since then she seems to wake after about half an hour crying. But when I go in it doesn't help as she gets herself into an agonising crying fit. Eventually after singing, patting, hugging she will eventually calm but the slightest thing will set off the tantrum again. It's almost impossible to get her to settle herself and so will eventually fall asleep in my arms and I can put her down.

But the cycle of only staying asleep for 30ish minutes keeps repeating then for rest of night. It only seems to stop when we go to bed and feed her. We might then get a longer stretch till 3 or 4ish but again she wakes and is in a tantrum quickly thats not eased by me cuddling her.

I can't understand what's bothering her and causing her to wake up so upset. Have tried giving a feed but doesn't work as she's so upset, tried an extra feed in the day in case it was hunger but also hasn't worked.

Could it be something to do with digestion? We never used to have evening poos but we also have to do a clean up at some point around 9pm ish.

Starting really get me down how much she's upset and it's really making evenings impossible. She's now so tired that she's sleeping more in the day (when we don't get any drama) but I would rather she slept at night than in the day because she's exhausted.

Anyone had similar? Any ideas on what I could try to get back to a better evening routine?
Thanks (and sorry it's so long to read all this)

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Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Flisspaps · 13/12/2013 22:08

Teething? Was a major cause of nighttime disruption with both of mine.

The only thing that helped was ibuprofen.

Teething can cause issues with poo too.

drawohamme · 13/12/2013 22:24

Marking place, we have the same problem. It's like he's forgotten how to stay asleep Confused

Icedfinger · 13/12/2013 22:41

We had this a couple of weeks ago with my DD who is 6 and a half months.

I don't know if it's coincidence but I spent a couple of evenings in her room and put a hand on her chest when she started to wake and handed her her comforter. Suddenly she remembered how to resettle herself and I have my evenings back!

emblosion · 13/12/2013 22:45

My 6 month old is very similar - he's not been well and I think he's teething also (currently dozing on my shoulder) t's a right pain but like everything else its a phase. Sorry I know that's no help!

cupcake78 · 13/12/2013 22:50

Similar issues here and it began with teething and/or tummy ache, leading to cold then tummy bug. I think its scared dd and she seemed frightened to sleep and needed more comfort and affection.

Last night and tonight are so far seeming a bit more normal but for how long is anyone's guess!

StuckOnARollercoaster · 14/12/2013 05:12

Although it's not great for you - it's a relief to know other people are going through the same - thanks for the replies.
Teething makes sense although I had hoped it had eased a little. Will have a think about giving some pain relief at bedtime.
Might try an evening where I stay with her and see if I can help her remember to self settle or at least comfort and calm her before we get the full on tantrum in the hope that it will pass and I won't need to do that every night.
Anyway looks like she's properly dozed off on my arms now - let's see if I can put her down and get back to some sleep myself...

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