10 month old night time waking.

[clema]

My 10 month old dd has never been the best of sleepers as she has always woken up at 5:30 am but about 6 weeks ago she started waking in the night at different times and won't go back to sleep till usually about 2 hours later. She isn't upset or crying but chatty and happy and very loud. I can not sleep while I can hear her and she wakes my ds who is 5 and at school therefore making him very tired. I don't feel comfortable wearing earplugs as suggested by a friend but don't understand how she can survive on such little sleep. She sleeps for approx 40 mins in the morning and maybe an hour and a half after lunch (on a good day). I'm so tired last night I lay in bed crying listening to her chat for nearly 2 1/2 hours. Any suggestions or advice welcome as I'm at my wits end.

Could she be cold or hungry?

I don't think so temp in her room is around 18-20 max. She eats really well and can't think she could squeeze in anymore food or milk. Last night she was up at 9 till 10.30 then again at 3.30 till 4.45.

Ok so it doesn't sound like temperature. What's her routine for milk and food? Could the 9 month sleep regression be the answer?

Thanks for replying, could be the 9 month sleep regression. Her routine as follows

Wakes anytime from 5:30
7am bottle
8am breakfast- ie; cereal, fruit or toast and fruit
9am- 30-40 sleep
10-10:30 rice cake
12 noon- lunch- sandwich or what ever I'm having. She's a good eater, plus fruit or yoghurt.
Sleep usually for 45 mins to 1 hour but sometimes more
2:30 bottle
5pm - dinner - meat & veg or pasta plus fruit.
7pm-bottle then bed

Last night she was up at 2:30am for about an hour. She screamed when laid down in her bed but I placed my hand on her quite firmly as she spins over and after about 5 mins she relaxed. I crept out the room and went back to bed. So was only out of bed for 20 mins but she talked quietly to herself for a while which is better than the screaming. She woke at 6:45am.
Each day or night is different so although I think some of it is habit I now long for the old 5:30am wake up minus the nighttime chats.
I'm keep telling myself it's a phase but boy am I tired!