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Struggling to cope with 8 months old.. help!

5 replies

LoveRainbow · 02/05/2020 19:57

I feel incredibly guilty for even typing this but things are getting pretty tough with my 8 months old. Since the beginning everyone has commented on what a happy and smiley baby he is. I’ve had strangers and nurses stop me to say he looks so content and happy. And generally speaking he really is. But it feels like everything has gone pear shaped. He’s always woken up for a few feeds at night (1-2 on a good night, absolutely fine) goes straight back to sleep. We have never co-slept as he has always been really independent and does not like sleeping next to us at all, he prefers he’s own bed. Loves his food and prefers veggies to anything else, does not like sweet things at all. Perfect baby. But now he wakes up crying and getting hysterical at night. And during the day he is just grumpy and crying. He has never been like this. I suspect he is teething and I can see a small tooth has begun to shown on the surface on the gums. But I just feel so down.

He is miserable and unsettled all the time and that makes me feel rubbish. I can’t be my usual upbeat self for him when I’ve barely slept and cried all night and day now too! It’s obviously harder now that we can’t just go out and break the day up. We’ve never any help as family is far and distant and grandmothers are elderly. But I just miss someone else cuddling him while I had a couple of tea. DH is absolutely fantastic and very helpful in all aspects (he has taken over the nights so I can sleep) but baby gets so difficult sometimes we’re bkth just up. And the days we try to take it in turns but it’s just really hard work and I feel really low. I’m not sure what I’m expecting by posting but I just feel quite alone 😢

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Wolfgirrl · 02/05/2020 20:11

I couldve written this, down to not having any family around!

My daughter is 9mo and for the last few weeks has been just the same, previously she slept through very reliably and now she wakes once or twice every night screaming. Sometimes she just wants a cuddle, other times a drink or even to get up and play 😑😂 she has 5 teeth now with her top ones and a canine coming through so I've put it down to that and just a sleep regression.

Its totally normal for babies to go through a phase then have a bit of a setback.

Could you try teething powder and bonjela before he goes to bed? We also make sure our daughter has a good 3 to 4 hour stint of being awake before going to bed, we try to play with her as much as we can and tire her out a bit. Good luck!

HappyGoLuckyHippo · 02/05/2020 20:16

Oh OP, I feel for you! I also have an 8 (nearly 9) month old who's not been sleeping that well the last few nights.
However, I've been through the sleep thing with my first and I absolutely promise it passes. Sometimes these phases only lasts a short time and then it gets better again. Hang in there, deep breath and focus on getting through just now. Hugs!

SomeoneElseEntirelyNow · 02/05/2020 22:03

Sounds like he's in pain. What are you giving him for the teething? Have you tried anbesol?

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CPParenttoDD1234 · 02/05/2020 22:18

Try giving regular calpol and if needed ibuprofen too. Teething for some babies is really painful. And use teething gels. It will get better. My oldest is 10 and I have to wake her up now!

Temple29 · 03/05/2020 22:42

My 12 month old is also a really happy baby other than when he is teething. Just miserable all day and cries when eating when his teeth are at him. Can only give him liquid foods at the time like soup/yogurt/purée. Regular paracetamol and ibuprofen are the only things that work. For night time I usually give him a dose of Calpol 15 mins before putting him down and have it on my nightstand to top up once in the night if he wakes. If I don’t give it before bed he’ll wake a few times.

Usually only lasts 2-3 days at a time for my baby. Does your baby sleep with a soother? DS seems to like biting on it when when his teeth are sore.

Hope that helps and I feel your frustration.

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