16 week growth spurt/fussy phase - how long will it last?

[Kathryn1967]

DS is 17 weeks and for the last week has been moody by day, and waking four times a night for a BF and/or a trump! Makes me look back to the old days of 2/3 BFs a night with misty-eyed nostalgia, I can tell you...

Am prepared to accept that going onto solids is not going to help, and DS's only experience of a bottle at night 'to help him settle' led to a night of grumbling - both from DS adn his little tummy, so that's not going to happen again, but can't help wondering how long this phase is likely to last... Any views?

Me too me too! So glad to see your post ifyswim.

I've been beside myself as it started day after jab no three three weeks ago and alongside a cold too. DS is 19 weeks. Have been asking around like mad and it's starting to sound standard. Everyone wondering if it's teething, jabs, colds, needing solids. Yet common thread appears to be age - sleep disrupted, fist sucking, discovery of body parts with hands, change in pooing patterns, more vocal, massive wind issues with us too. I reckon it must be growth spurt/standard developmental thing, but will watch this thread with great interest. It's been driving me bonkers, partic as he's learnt to squeal too and the farting, wind and pooing is now often accompanied with vast amounts of noise.

Menat to add I also agree on the stroppiness too, it's almost as if he's a different baby to the one we used to have. Think he's really finding his feet, less of a blob and more of a baby, with HUGE attidue in our case! On theplus side he's starting to giggle which does make up for some of the other stuff. I just hoe this phase passes quickly.

The one thing I know it isn't jabs, because we're only having number 3 a week on Wednesday! So, 3 weeks for you so far and still counting? Poor you! And me....

Hmmm sounds familiar! I don't know if I can help much but just thought I'd say I know how you feel

My 6 1/2mth old ds has always been a bit like this I'm afraid. In the beginning he would only wake once a night for BF, and I was desperate to get him to sleep through, thought it could only get better but it got worse around 3mths when he was often waking every 2hrs! Now he wakes on ave 2-3 times a night, only to be settled by BF. Started solids around 5mths, didn't help at all. I know we should wait till 6mths (and I wish I had now as he still isn't taking much) but I caved in to outside pressure, i.e. well-meaning people telling me I was cruel for not "feeding" him!! And tbh it was the only thing we hadn't tried yet so I thought that if there was a possibility it might help him then I had to give it a go. I have just got used to the fact that ds may not sleep through for a long time, and I think if you have tried everything to encourage it but it still ain't happening then maybe he's just not ready yet.

As for the daytime grumpiness thing, snap. If you aren't already doing it then go out for walks! I really find fresh air helps my ds (even though I don't always feel like it!)

Hope things improve for you, sure they will

Are these kids getting enough sleep during the day? If my ds does not get enough sleep in the day, he sleeps terribly at night (presumably because he is over-tired).

Just a thought.

This is like reading my life!! Same here - ds 17 weeks. BF , jabs, faring, snot and general loud crying. Soooooo relived to read this - was just starting to worry. Must be a phase they go through.

I'm sure sleep during the day is an issue - any magic tricks for getting them to do it though? No don't answer that I've already tried everything! My ds is attached to my breasts as it is trying to get him to nap, and when we're not doing that I'm taking him for a walk. Those are the only ways he will fall asleep, and even then it's a battle. I'm lucky if he has 2-3 naps of 30mins each! So it's not as if I'm not trying, but if they won't sleep or stay asleep then you can't force them to do it.

OMG, that is so spooky!!!! That's exactly the way DS naps. I have walked miles in an attempt to get him to sleep longer than 30 mins at a time. Actually, yesterday we went to visit friends 80 miles away and he had two good long naps in the car - over an hour each. Sadly, last night was as bad as ever. Worse in fact... only up twice but for 45 mins and then 2 1/2 hours. So I'm still searching for the solution...

daytime sleeps can be a real struggle
TT - what have u tried? - your tips might help the rest of us

Thought I'd cracked the daytime naps last week. Just put her in her cot with the mobile on after being awake for 2 hours. Result! 2 to 3 hour sleep. But this week is half-term so can't just stay in for 2 to 3 hours each day. And she's started waking at night - after sleeping 7 til 7 since 11 weeks

She's 5 months not 16 weeks but am assuming (hoping and praying really) that this just a growth spurt too.

you're scaring me now tinker.... my dd is, ummm, 17 weeks, but loves her mobile & sleeps through really well. i don't want anything to change!

It's frightening me hc. This isn't in the script.

bugger, tinker, hope things improve soon. mine also goes off to sleep when she's had enough of her baby gym, just lying there. hurrah for thumb suckers!

Mine's a thumb sucker as well...

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