4 month old still waking every 2 hours

[Rachel1210]

As title says my 4mo is still waking every 2 hours. I know I’m in sleep regression territory but he’s never slept longer than 2 hours! I think since he was born the longest stretch he has done is 3 hours...I know he’s still young and this is normal - but I’m exhausted. For half the night wakings he’s not hungry. It’s like he wakes and can’t get back to sleep so cries out. I then pick him up and feed him - but more often he doesn’t want feeding - just comfort. He’s FF and is being treated for reflux. I know many will say this is normal but I’d really like some suggestions. Or if any of you have been through this - when it got better? It’s like he can’t get into a long stretch of sleep...

Is it definitely reflux OP? Has anyone mentioned the possibility of CMPA?

No no one has ever mentioned that? What are the symptoms? X

There's 2 types of CMPA, one shows immediate symptoms,one is a little more delayed. Have a read of this from Allergy UK and see what you think

How do you settle him to sleep in the first place? According to the sleep books, if they can't self settle they will wake every 2 hours (the length of their sleep cycle) unable to get back to sleep without that same settling method. Ie a babt who is always fed to sleep will need that at every one of his two hourly wakeups, or a baby who is rocked to sleep will need it to resettle etc etc. The sleep regression is really annoying. Thw above poster is tihht though that cmpa (cow's milk protein allergy) and reflux can also lead to frequent night waking, although it doesn't always (my son also has cmpa and reflux). Another thing to check is that the temperature isn't too hot or cold, that the room is pitch black (blackout blinds?) and ideally that there is some white noise playing constantly.

For naps he settles himself - he does the same at night time but he does have a bottle just before so perhaps he’s got a feed association there? Yes we have blackout blinds and a gro egg which shows the room between 18-19 degrees

It sounds like you're doing all the right things and I'm impressed he self settles for all naps - my little boy rarely does! No dummy either? In that case I don't know! I assume he's in a grobag too? If he can self settle it sounds like something else may be bothering him. Worth looking into things like silent reflux although my son has that and he sleeps all night so doesn't always follow (thank god!!) X

Was the article of any use OP?

Yes the article was really helpful. He does have some of those symptoms which have been attributed to reflux. With CMPA I understand there’s no test they can do?

There isn't a test no, but your GP can prescribe a suitable formula and refer to a Paediatric Dietician