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Is it possible for a good sleeper to turn into a terrible sleeper?? What do I do?!?!

11 replies

Aloha31 · 13/11/2011 07:20

DD 5.5 MO (EBF), and within the first few weeks was a fantastic sleeper at night most nights - didn't cry, self-settled at 7pm, woke quietly for quick feeds between 7-7 3 times, then quickly twice, then only once. It was great for the first 3 months. A day time rhythm slowly emerged too, napping and feeding were fine.

At around 11 wks she started teething, and we had a month of awful nights, then a couple of weeks of improvement, then 4 month sleep regression - awful again! Things got a bit better - she slept through once, then started to drop night feeds altogether by herself - stirring once or twice rather than waking and being soothed (hand on tummy or shussh) within seconds (if it took linger/she was upset I would feed her but never really needed to). Last 2 weeks have been awful again! She feeds LOADS all day and takes at least one huge feed through the night. Going on longer than a growth spurt. Doesn't coincide with her trying solids either (she was over 2 wks late and big so started solids already). The clocks going back was totally fine. Have tried everything (bar CIO/CC - although sometimes I have done EVERYTHING and all that is self is to cuddle her, but she is still crying). I've tried: co-sleeping (not really poss in our bed and doesn't work anyway), shushh, stroking, feeding extra, nappy, temp.... She still wakes lots between either 2 and 7 or 3.30 and 7, won't settle back and wakes up for the day at 4!??????????

Can anyone take a look and see if I have missed something? We doesn't really have any sleep props, we keep nights low key etc. Shall I try her in her own room? Thank you!

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Aloha31 · 13/11/2011 07:33

PS for past 2 weeks she will also only nap for one sleep cycle through the day! Instead of her usual 1.5 hour morning, 2 hour lunchtime and catnap in evening, she will only have two or three half hour naps! So basically she is hardly sleeping much in a 24 hour period. And I've little energy to enjoy her through the day :(

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Gincognito · 13/11/2011 07:42

Hello, I think it's probably temporary! Check out The Wonder Weeks.

It explains the major cognitive leaps that all babies go though at predictable points. There is a big one (leap 5, which I've linked to) at 26 weeks. Either your DD is just entering this, or from the sound of it (wild guess) was she overdue? They pass.

Gincognito · 13/11/2011 07:46

Sorry that was a bit cryptic - the 'leaps' are calculated on due date not actual birth date. So a baby who was a week overdue would enter the critical part of this leap at 25 weeks.

Aloha31 · 13/11/2011 08:24

Thank you! I have the book and she is definitely in, and I hope close to the end of, leap five! She was over two weeks late, so time wise it makes sense. I was so smug at the start, and all the sleep tips are no help because we already do them all!

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Gincognito · 13/11/2011 08:29

It's great, isn't it :) DS's sleep regularly goes tits up and once I have ruled out teeth, new physical skill and cold/bug I turn to this and it's always right. They should hand out this book at the hospital!

Aloha31 · 13/11/2011 08:39

How old is your ds? And do they sleep well again after the leap? Am I doing the wrong thing by feeding her more frequently through the night again? Ie am i reinforcing a new confusing routine? Should I keep things consistent for her?

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Aloha31 · 13/11/2011 09:06

And yes, it's a great book! My baby is very sweet natured but is really affected by these leaps regarding her sleep!

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Gincognito · 13/11/2011 20:14

He's one, and his sleep has always improved after a leap (thank goodness!). TBH I belong to the extremely lazy path-of-least-resistance school of parenting so I would totally go with the flow and feed her - I think she's too young to be very attached to any particular routine.

beckieperk · 13/11/2011 20:31

No practical advice just feeling your pain. I'm a little behind you having been in the 4 month sleep regression period for the last week or so!Sad Lucky to get a full sleep cycle day or night. Not always for a feed to be fair....but disrupted sleep nonetheless. I keep repeating the MN mantra "this too will pass". Good luck....can't wait for all the other challenges of motherhood and all the sleepless nights they bring too. (NOT!!) Oh boy am I grouchy on little sleep. Poor dh. Grin

Aloha31 · 13/11/2011 21:04

It's a good job they're worth it! And well done us, still functioning after 4+ months of broken sleep! :o

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Aloha31 · 15/11/2011 06:48

Up again around four!
Am I making it worse by feeding again through the night? It still doesn't settle her for longer than an hour and a half. Worse than a newborn!

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