20wks and waking every hour at night. HELP!

[likklemum]

I know this is a similar thread to quite a recent one, but I didn't want to hi-jack it.

My ds is 20 wks old and, until last wk, was excl breast fed. Now I have started to wean him and he has solids twice a day. Since he has been eating solids twice a day, he has been sleeping for 4/5 hours when first put down in the eve - which is normal for us, but then wakes every hour until morning.

When he wakes, he won't stop crying unless I feed him and then he will feed for a fairly short time (but a normal night-time feed length, for him)and then he is straight back to sleep...for another hour!!!

He is not sleeping excessivly during the day, in fact sometimes I dont think he naps enough. He doesn't use a dummy either.

Read with interest the book recommendations, but was wondering if he is due a growth spurt/teeth or if anyone had any advice?

Sorry this is just a normal thing babies do!! Sometimes when they are weaned they need more fluids, so could be waking up thirsty.

DOH! Why didn't I think of that?! So obvious, as he is not taking so much in the day. Thank You.

How much longer can I expect to be waking up this frequently and do you think we will go through this again when I up his food to 3 times a day?

Im assuming that I don't give him water?

Does he hasve water with solids?? Found that when we weaned DS we needed to give him water with his food as it made him thirsty - particuarly in this hot weather.

No I haven't been giving him water. I have topped up his meal with breast milk, but he hasn't taken much (probably too stuffed?!). I tried giving him a little before meals aswell, but it hasn't helped.

Did you give water straight after a meal?

It does get better! My eldest is now 3 3/4, for the first 13 months I breastfed religiously every hour throughout the night, I didn't want to change to bottle and couldn't ignore him - too upsetting. I loved feeding him myself but just after his first birthday it started feeling odd if anyone knows what I mean? He didn't seem that bother, didn't want milk, he was just using me as a dummy so I stopped over the next month or so. He still woke 4 or 5 times a night until he as 2 and a half and we'd put a gate at his door to stop him sneaking into our bed. So hang in there girl it will get better - eventually!

Have you tried a dummy? (forgot to ask)

Just gave Ds a bottle of water after his feed but he didn't take it. . Wonder if he could have been too full...or maybe he knows his mum has got the good stuff!. As I was trying to give him a bottle he was looking at me like I was Crazy (what are you feeding me this muck for?!). But it could be that he isn't used to a bottle.
Dp reports that he fanny's about when he's taking EBM from a bottle when I'm away and thats only been 3 times

Paula Bell; DS won't take a dummy, he just spits it out...believe me I've tried. 13months?! Guess I'm in for the long haul! Thing is; he was only waking 2/3 times before the blasted solids!

my dd did this and I Stopped the solids - read somewhere that their digestive systems may not be quite ready yet and that the solids can cause probs at night. She has been better since I did that. Will try again with solids in a coupel of week and hope her system has matured enough to take them then.

otherwise, if you don't want to take that approach but also don't want to feed til 13 months every hour (hats off to you btw paulapell, just couldn't do it myself) you could take a look at dr ferber and his sleep solutions - have done a wee bit of this too and know others who've done it to great effect

Glad I'm not the only one MP. Anxious to stop solids as in all other ways he seems ready and he is already 5months.

Sorry to ask the dreaded poo questions,but...he isn't going as regularly and it is still the same as breastmilk poo, but a bit 'stickier' if that makes any sense. Could that be that his system isn't ready or is that normal (neurotic new mum alert!!!)

my DD's poos went like that too - he may be a little constipated which could be causing tummy problems and waking him up more.

Why not stop the solids for a day or two and see. Recommendation is to start at 6 months now anyway so you won't be doing any harm.

good luck whatever you decide

Hooray!!! DS slept from 8:30-8:30 only waking once at 3:30. This is a break through for us!

Is sugar water supposed to help with constipation?

LM. You didnt say what you changed, did you stop the solids? or give water? my 5 month old sounds exactly the same was fine until I started to introduce solids ( he loves solids BTW) now he sleeps initially for apprx 4 hours then wakes every hour!

To be honest I think it's just the luck of draw. DS1 was a nightmare DS2 has been just about OK. He's nearly 1 now and has been sleeping through most nights from about 7pm to 5.30am ish for the last 5 or 6 months, up until then he was in our room and waking 3 or 4 times a night - which after DS1 we thought was great - where does your tot sleep? In your room or in a sep. one? I found DS2 slept much better in his own room - we were disturbing him.

DD2 also sleeps much better since we moved her into her own room - or do we just not hear her as much

I think I was responding far too quickly with the boob every time she stirred, thus building up a bit of a dependency. Was terrified of her waking DD1 up you see.