Middle of the night 'chatting'...

[WorrisomeHeart]

Hi all

I have a 3.5mth old DS who has just discovered his voice! It's lovely during the day to hear his cooing/screeching/raspberries etc, but not so much in the middle of the night. Up to now, he's been good in the night and has gone back to sleep quickly after the feed, but over the last three nights he's seemed very awake and has started 'chatting' to us.
I feed/change in a darkened room with no telly and try to avoid interaction, but he seems to not be bothered about having no audience! So what I've been doing is popping him in the cot to chat to himself and gone back to bed. I've listened to him on the monitor and if he grizzles I go in and shh and give him the dummy, but do you think I should I should be trying to ssh/pat or PUPD before this? He doesn't cry and has only taken about 15-20 mins to drop off to sleep, it just seems so mean to leave him to it. Am I being too soft? Is there a different/better way to deal with this?

Thanks!

you are dealing perfectly with him!
they go through a slep regressiion around 4 mths when they have a growth spurt and also when they become aware of the world in a big way.
it will pass, esp as he has been a good sleeper.
if he is not grizzly then yes, it is fine to leave him to it. sounds like he self settles well - lucky you

Thanks nicky, I must admit I'm waiting with trepidation for the 4mth sleep regression to hit! He does settle well, which made me think this was possibly ok, but as I said, it just seems wrong to leave him alone like that! I AM too soft!

try not to worry - my ds1 sailed through most sleep regressions.
ds2 on the other hand is a NIGHTMARE sleeper!
and you are not too soft at all - you just love your wee boy!

Lucky you!! My 4 month old DD just discovered her voice and has the sleep regression, and as we're co-sleeping, the 1am and 5am feeds that used to take 10min she will now be awake up to two hours screeching and talking and smiling.

Glad to hear DD is not the only one screeching, it always sounds to me like i have a completely crazy daughter ;-).

My LO is exactly the same. She did it for a few nights - me and DH were trying not to laugh at how cute it was! She always went back to sleep so don't think interaction would be good as it will stimulate them too much.

It was hilarious the first time....we were so tired and all we wanted was to go to sleep but equally it was so lovely listening to her chat away.

Gotta love em!

if he's not upset and can get back to sleep do not change a thing!

Thanks folks, last night was brilliant - he only chatted for 7 minutes before grizzling and going to sleep with the dummy! Wahay! [WH ignores fact that 4 mth sleep regression is hiding behind next corner]