Advice needed please!!!

[Rosebud1302]

My DS (14 weeks) is going through wonder week leap 4 and possibly also the sleep regression early as he is waking up every two hours at night and not entering deep sleep easily at all.

For the last week and a half the only way i can get him to nap or sleep is nursing (EBF). He won't let me rock him or carry him like he used to and won't let DH either. He just screams until I latch him.

I know this is a normal developmental phase obviously but I am getting concerned that he will now only ever go to sleep again with nursing (previously good self settler and rarely nursed to sleep). Do you think I should try somehow and break this before it becomes a habit or roll with it for now? How do I know when it's no longer the leap it's just now what he expects?!

Does anyone have experience of a LO who became like this but did revert back to not needing nursing??

Thanks all for reading.

My baby was like this during the 4 month regression, and it was a nightmare. But I just went with it, coz it was the only way we could get any sleep. And eventually it stopped, and he went back to settling in the cot and sleeping longer stretches.

I think it's hard to change things up in the middle of a leap and/or regression. My choice has been to just keep things consistent as far as possible but go with what works until they are through it. But they are all different, and sleep still isn't great with us, but think we might be in the 6month regression/growth spurt/another leap - who knows!

I'd say whatever works to get the sleep for now. If it goes on for ages and ages, reassess. Good luck, it's so hard! Xx

Thank you for your reply. It is good to know things got better for you. Isn't it just soul destroying!!! I did manage to get him to sleep with lots of cuddles and rocking just now but it was hard for him and he was very upset but he did do it. Which shows he can do it! I might try and see if we can do that instead as I feel that is easier to manage but of course if he needs it I will go back to nursing. Poor thing! Hope you get through the next regression ok. It is always something!!

Dummy?

He won't accept a dummy :( but I am pleased to report that yesterday and today were ten times better. I cuddled and talked to him and rocked him but didn't let him nurse to sleep and he soon got the idea. He slept better than he has in weeks both during the day and at night. Here's hoping it wasn't a fluke!

That’s good news.

Good luck and be patient as always.