13 mth old waking since 8 mths has been ill on and off...I am desperate and exhausted!!..anyone help?

[suestar35]

Hello

My LO has had lots of bugs and colds which kicked in at about 8/9 mths when I finished br feeding her. However since a bad gastro bug in Dec she has a number of things. She was taken in to hospital abut 3 weeks ago with chronic deyhration and put on a drip after a chest infection went to another bout of gastro.

She lost about 3lbs so I was concerned about this however she has been eating reasonably well over the last few weeks. What is causing us so much distress is the constant night wakenings now...settling then up a few hours later crying...won't settle if I lie her back down...offer some milk which she takes still often not settling. Sometimes she is up for over 3 hours. Do I make a decision to let her cry it out? She is teething I think but I am worried with me constantly lifting her and often taking her in with us as I am feeling v tired then I have started up a habit. Have another LO at 3yrs and did not have any of these problems as she just slept (unless ill of course) and ate well.

Any help would be most appreciated...thank you.

Have you tried Nelsons teething powders, my DD often settles after those and a nice cold teething ring from the fridge. She may be unsettled because any routine has been interrupted from being ill so perhaps when she is not teething, try gradual retreat, I'd not let her cry it out but thats just my personal preference.

Personally (and I know it's controversial before I get completely slated ) I would controlled cry......just start off leaving her for whatever time feels comfortable then go back in and comfort briefly and repeat. If you think she is teething, dose her up with calpol and a teething powder (ashton and parsons worked for us). Also try offering water first incase she is thirsty. Obviously you also need to be certain she's not ill (has she got a temperature etc etc).

It's not easy but it will help to break the habit she has gotten into.......it worked v quickly for us when we did it on the advice of the HV (our DD was younger than yours though).

If that's too drastic for you then gradual retreat is also a good idea........it worked well for a close friend of mine, although it did take significantly longer.

Thank you both for your advice and support. Very much appreciated.