9 mo screaming and crying hysterically in sleep...lots!

[MissRatty]

Is this the dreaded 8mo sleep regression? For the past three weeks, our LO has started screaming and crying in his sleep, and won't calm down unless picked up and rocked back to deep sleep. It's happening about ten times a night on a bad night, and five or six on a good one.

He's also started drinking less in the day...but feeding more at night, no matter how hard I try to get him to take more in the day.

Up until this period, he was only waking once (sometimes not at all!).

Solidarity, advice, experience, hints, tips, anything welcome!

Miss ratty I could write this post my DS nearly 10 m and the same . We get a few good nights then this . Hardly has any milk on the days but then 9ozat bedtime about 7oz three hours later and maybe another one ! Keeps waking crying etc tonight been every hour. Can't seem to get comfortable restless .

Rubbish sleeper in day to fights it all the way had less than hour today and now up all night . My 3 y old DD will be up in less than an hour now I could cry . He is in with me DP in spare
When will it end

My DS never gone through in whole life

Have you tried bed sharing or keeping him next to you? There can be lots of reasons to start to wake, and it's very common and normal to do so. Sweet Sleep is a lovely new book discussing what is normal and outlining how to sleep together safely and meet a baby's need for closeness. And an old one which helped me many years ago Nighttime Parenting. If day time has become stressful with more separations, or even just learning exciting new skills this can cause being too busy to eat and drink, and then they can be waking from hunger and excitement or teething discomfort. It will pass! Hope you get more sleep soon.

It is probably teething and feeding for comfort. If he is drooling lots etc... then you can try prophylactic paracetamol or ibuprofen around 10/11pm to see him through most of the night.

Thanks for your responses! Last night was appalling...and daytime naps are just the same. I have brought him in with me a few times as a last resort. I feel too heavy a sleeper and get very vivid dreams so don't feel comfortable doing it, but I would love to be able to cosleep properly. Interestingly he still woke and screamed when in with me this morning.

His top two teeth are just about to come through, and we did try both calpol and ibuprofen, with lashings of anbesol liquid, calgel etc...but it has made no difference.

I really do hope it passes soon...we're on week three!

I'll take a look at that reading material though, thanks for that.

Even the dog is finding it hard...he usually sleeps in LO's room during the day (little dog so can't get near LO) and he's moved downstairs for some peace! X