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Sleep

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Original poster

why is my 6 month old waking up in the night!??

18 replies

BronwenC · 13/02/2011 21:06

im going nuts trying to work out why my 6 month old is waking in the night now. from about 6 weeks he was sleeping 12-13 hours a night, no waking, and settling himself alone at bedtime, then suddenly about a month ago he started needing to be breastfed to sleep, then he would constantly wake up, until about 9pm when he would eventually fall asleep properly. i was going up there and staying til he fell asleep again. about a week ago i started letting him scream for 10 minutes at a time before going up, then not picking him up just shhhing him. now he cries for about an hour every night, then wakes up 4-5 times a night and is very hard (ie impossible!!) to settle back to sleep unless i let him come into my bed and feed him. its driving me mad as i know he isnt waking up from hunger!! any ideas? i thought controlled crying was supposed to work!!!! its getting worse if anything..

OP posts:

fostering · 13/02/2011 21:26

Controlled crying does work but taking your DS into bed and breatfeeding does not.

He is also getting used to you staying with him while he goes off to sleep so when he wakes in the night he will wonder where you are and be unable to settle back to sleep by him self.

If you're sure he's not hungry then go back to shhhing him but never, ever take him into your bed, nor feed him.

Of course we did both with our boys, they all sleep through til about 2pm the next day now that they're teenagers, but I foster so we aren't allowed to take the babies into bed and obviously I don't breast feed them. They all sleep through from about 6 to 10 weeks.

Original poster

BronwenC · 13/02/2011 21:34

its so hard though in the middle of the night. im confused with the controlled crying thing, because while there is loads of advice on the initial falling asleep thing i wasnt sure if i was supposed to do the same all night. last night i left him try to settle himself but he cried from 12am to 2am, then i caved and fed him. do i just need to be more consistent?

OP posts:

fostering · 13/02/2011 21:39

Yes I think so.
Babies are very clever, if he knows you're going to cave in then he will keep crying.

Make sure he is not too hot or cold. Nappy is ok. Go to him regularly to shhh him but try not to lift him up. Then you won't be worrying about him.

Try to make sure he has a good day time nap.

2 hours tonight, 1 hour tomorrow and I'm sure it will only be 10 mins the 3rd night.

Fingers crossed.

Original poster

BronwenC · 13/02/2011 21:46

:) yeah defo fingers crossed. does it definately work on all babies though? i read somewhere that some babies dont respond to it and i think thats where the seed of doubt has come from...

OP posts:

Katz · 13/02/2011 21:49

its is quite possible he's just having a growth spurt and needs the nutrition in the night and after a short period of time will go back to sleep well without needing to be left to cry.

Original poster

BronwenC · 13/02/2011 21:56

ahahah my mum just said that exact same thing. i think maybe im stressing to much about it. the only thing i really want is him to go to bed at bedtime without crying for a few hours. i can handle night feeds, just not hours of crying!

OP posts:

Katz · 13/02/2011 22:17

I'd give the feeding thing a go for a while, if he's napping well in the day then take a nap then and repeat to yourself, 'its just a phase, its just a phase'. I'd also add enjoy this stage too, the cuddling/feeding to sleep doesn't last all that long and its sooo nice and also an excuse to not have to move off of the sofa in the evening.

MoonUnitAlpha · 13/02/2011 22:20

I wouldn't let him cry for hours - if controlled crying hasn't worked in a few days, it's not going to work. If he needs to feed then maybe he is hungry.

Original poster

BronwenC · 13/02/2011 22:23

yeah i was thinking the same, if it hasnt worked even a little yet then im not sure it will, and it seems mean to keep doing it. i was thinking maybe he is thirsty? he wont drink water/juice from a bottle or cup and he is on lots of solids now. i might just keep feeding him in the night, and maybe just be a little sterner at bedtime.

OP posts:

MoonUnitAlpha · 13/02/2011 22:29

How often does he breastfeed in the day?

It could also be that he's just starting to experience separation anxiety, so he wants to keep you close at bedtime/night.

Original poster

BronwenC · 13/02/2011 22:30

he breastfeeds 4/5 times in a day, and has 3 meals.

i was wondering about the separation anxiety thing, coz as soon as i appear in the room he is happy. bless him.

OP posts:

malachysmum · 14/02/2011 22:10

Could be the 6 month sleep regression, sllep goes to pot, but then comes right again later don't stress too much it won't be forever.

malachysmum · 14/02/2011 22:11

Could be the 6 month sleep regression, sleep goes to pot, but then comes right again later don't stress too much it won't be forever.

foxy123 · 15/02/2011 10:37

could he be teething?

NinkyNonker · 15/02/2011 16:03

Dd is the same, but I can't advise as we more or less co sleep and still bf at night! Yes, yes I know...hand me the rod for my back. I just can't do crying.

Original poster

BronwenC · 15/02/2011 17:31

haha im the same, he looks so sad, anything to get a good night's sleep...

he is teething i think, but i thought if they settled back to sleep quite easily with a feed the teeth couldnt be hurting that much. i have stopped stressing so much now, just feed him when he wakes up.

OP posts:

Zimm · 15/02/2011 18:07

mine 6 month dd is the same, used to sleep 12 hours, i just feed her back to sleep...

Original poster

BronwenC · 15/02/2011 19:49

is the easiest way isn't it. i guess eventually i can just say 'go to sleep!' and he will understand me and hopefully do it!

OP posts:

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