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3 month sleep regression??? Help!

2 replies

JSinCY · 24/02/2015 06:08

Clueless first timer here so apologies if this question is covered elsewhere or otherwise kind of dumb, but my 13 week old DD was previously a good sleeper giving us 4-5 hour stretches and occasionally even 6-7 hour ones. Then in the last two weeks or so she's suddenly started waking every 1-2 hours most nights. I've read about the 4 month sleep regression and this sounds similar to me, but she's only 3 months. Is it possible to have a sleep regression that young? If so, how long is it likely to last, and most importantly, is there anything I can do to get her to sleep longer stretches?

A bit of background: she's breastfed and otherwise a super cheerful, active baby. She takes 3-4 short (20-45 min) naps a day -- can't get anything longer out of her. Settling her isn't the easiest thing in the world, but not the hardest either. Usually 20-30 mins of shushing and patting her while holding her does the trick (lately I've been feeding her 2x a night and just resettling her the other times she wakes). If I don't hold her however she gets utterly hysterical, so it's not a case of 'just give her a minute to settle herself'. And finally, my OH works a demanding job (though helps as much as possible) and I'm an expat with no family or really close friends nearby so don't have a ton of support (and therefore feel like a complete zombie!) Any and all suggestions very much appreciated!

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
FATEdestiny · 26/02/2015 23:14

12 to 14 weeks is a massive growth spurt.

I would place good money on the wake ups being because of hunger. I'm one of these been-there-done-that Mums of many. I wasn't prepared to deal with the hassle of growth spurts disturbing everything and so I started mix feeding my DD (now 5 months) at this 12 week growth spurt.

Feed more frequently throughout the day. I would be aiming for at least 2 hourly full feeds through the daytime.

You're also not getting baby enough sleep. If you work on a 2 hourly routine, then aim for one full feed and one nap every 2 hours. Repeat through the daytime.

Missingcaffeine · 27/02/2015 04:27

The same happened to my baby at 3 months. I think it was a growth spurt, so I nursed him back to sleep each time. Unfortunately this became a habit and he decided he preferred feeding at night as was so interested in the world during the day. He is nearly 6 months and I'm still trying to break this cycle which is very hard as I'm knackered and the quickest way back to sleep is to feed. My advice would be to try to get as many calories into your baby in the day as possible and try to only lift out of cot or feed when you are sure your baby is truly hungry. If your baby is reluctant to feed in the day (as mine was), stay close to home and try to feed away from distractions. Whatever it takes to get your baby to feed so that you know baby shouldn't be too hungry at night.
I read somewhere that the 4 month sleep regression can happen as early as 3 months.
Good luck!!

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