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Original poster

7m.o. waking up for 2 hours an hour after putting him to bed. Why? Can anyone help please, I'm losing it a bit..

9 replies

mammainlove · 10/01/2013 21:38

D.S used to stay asleep from 6pm, only waking up for feeds, recently though he is fully awake after an hour of putting him down,+ wants to play,be held for another 2/3 hours! I have been bringing him downstairs when this happens, but I am suffering with stress at the moment+am desperate for a couple of hours to myself in the evenings now, so I need him to stay asleep in bed. I have a 2y.o dd too who is demanding. We co sleep so I can't just leave him on his own as he would fall out the bed. I wouldn't want to leave him crying either. He has a bit of a cold now too, so is extremely clingy. I just don't know what to do. Tried just nursing him in the dark but he is stil loud and active for 2 hours. I find I am getting really angry, even have visions of hurting him, though I wouldn't. Please can anyone help us it's really getting me down. Thanks..

OP posts:
teacher123 · 10/01/2013 22:09

What is his daytime routine like? Could it be that he is treating bedtime like a nap as he's not quite tired enough? 8mo DS has a 6pm bedtime and I don't let him ever sleep past 3pm and try to have him awake and knacker him out from 2.30pm. I know that she who may not be named is very unpopular on here, but her book has good timings advice for how long and when babies should be awake. With regards to the co sleeping thing I don't have anything to suggest as DS point blank refuses to sleep in our bed with us.

With regards to what you said about feeling that you might hurt him, sending you big hugs. Babies are hugely frustrating creatures, and it's just so hard. Is it worth trying to get him into his cot, for at least the first part of the night? as then at least if he wakes up you know he's safe.

This is another very unpopular view on here but if he is crying and you feel overwhelmed, put him in a safe place and go downstairs and have a cup of tea for 10 minutes. As long as you know that he is clean, fed and dry he will be ok. Sometimes your immediate needs are more important than your babies. I know that feeling of immense frustration that comes with them not sleeping, and it's soul destroying. The best bit of advice that someone gave me about settling babies for naps (that was the nightmare in our case) is to put them down and then go and do a job (hang washing out, put kettle on etc etc) something that is easy to interrupt if necessary but distracting enough to take 10 minutes of your time. Then if they are upset by the time you've finished, go and comfort, and try again.

This probably is no help and makes no sense but I wanted to reply, I really hope it improves x x

munchkinmaster · 10/01/2013 22:20

Is 6 too early? My baby used to want to get up at 4am for 2 hours (I.e she was tired again). Sounds like he's treating it as a nap and maybe taking him out reinforces this. We sorted our 4am party time (lots of other sleep probs left to sort) by working on her self settling abilities and leaving her in the cot. Does your son have a cot for naps he can sleep the first part of the night in?

It will get better.

munchkinmaster · 10/01/2013 22:21

Oops she wanted up for 2 hours (I.e. till she was tired again)

Original poster
mammainlove · 10/01/2013 22:40

Thanku. He naps every 2/3 hours in day. He doesnt really have a routine as such. I have to look after DD1 so things just happen when they happen. I stretched his nap today from 3 though, didn't let him sleep after then but he still woke up. If he does think its a nap, any suggestions on convincing him it's not!? Def don't wanto leave him to cry, and don't have a cot.

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munchkinmaster · 10/01/2013 22:49

Sit with him in the dark and don't let him up? Dd was 4 months - husband would sit in bed reading on phone ignoring her. It really helped when we knew she could settle herself to sleep. Before we were rocking her, getting her up. I assume your son will roll around etc. where does he sleep during day?

Original poster
mammainlove · 10/01/2013 23:13

he sleeps in sling, buggy or bed. he really moves a lot though, difficult to ignore him, he climbs on me, getting louder if ignored, then cries.

OP posts:
teacher123 · 11/01/2013 08:19

How about a travel cot?

teacher123 · 11/01/2013 08:21

Also-keep night times mega boring-lights off, quiet voices etc etc. if you take him downstairs again with toys and the the tv and lights on he probably does think it's a nap.

Original poster
mammainlove · 11/01/2013 17:08

Thank u. Yeh I tried that, only for one nighy though. He still stays awake exited for 2 hours..x

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