Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Sleep

Join our Sleep forum for tips on creating a sleep routine for your baby or toddler. Need more advice on your childs development? Sign up to our Ages and Stages newsletter here.

Original poster

Losing the will to live....

10 replies

DetentionGrrrl · 27/10/2006 05:52

My 18wk old has gone from waking every 4 hours at night, to being all over the shop. Before last night i'd had 10 hrs sleep in 3 days. Last night was slightly better to start, but he woke at 2.30 and i couldn't get him down until 3.30, and he got up at 5.30 this morning. Is it ever going to improve again? He seems constantly hungry, and i'm so tired i'm amazed i'm not dead. (and i find it impossible to sleep in the day)

OP posts:
ludaloo · 27/10/2006 07:20

Oh no things not getting better?
Poor you...
This might be the last thing you want to do but have you got a relative or a friend who could have him for a couple of nights?(or dh/dp who could get up to him)
I think waking in the night becomes a habit more than anything...maybe if he has nothing to wake up for (i.e you)he won't wake??????????
(I only suggest this because my dd1 was a terrible sleeper...I was away from her for three nights when I had ds and when I returned, she slept better...)
Have you tried feeding him before he goes down?I used to give mine weetabix just before bed.
I can't think of what else to suggest...try and get some rest if you can...hard I know...does he nap in the day??

ludaloo · 27/10/2006 07:22

sorry...didn't read it properly...are you weaning him?...were you the poster who was asking when you should start?
Maybe now might be the right time???

Original poster
DetentionGrrrl · 27/10/2006 07:30

Yes, that was me re: weaning. I think i may offer him food and see what he does. I b/feed him just before his bedtime (6.30) and goes off that way. DP works, so i do all night stuff, and no family to help really.

OP posts:
ludaloo · 27/10/2006 07:41

hmm...I was in the same boat...It is hard...bfeeding kind of rules out other people helping anyway doesn't it. I have to admit...all of mine were in my bed until they stopped breast feeding...I could just roll over..flop it out and then we would all get some peace. With my dd2 I put the cot right next to my bed with the side down..stuffed cushions in the gap, and then we had more room. She stopped bf when she was 12 months...and is now ready to go in with dd1 (she's 14 months now.)
I know there was a bit of controvery over when you should start to wean...When I had my dd (now 5)and my ds (now 3) the professional advice was 4 months....now it is 6....I don't feel I was harming my kids...it was what I was told to do...they are fine...I myself was weaned at 4 months...and I'm fine (IYSWIM)It does seem he is waking out of hunger....
I hate to say this for fear of being blasted..but I would give it a go...you can mix breast milk with baby rice (mine hated that though...I went straight to the heinz jars..they do their own baby rice pudding)
I don't know...it is your decision. Or you could try having him in with you?????????
I don't know whether that might be worse or better for you. I have always had all mine in with me until they were about 1- 1 1/2 It just seemed the best solution for our family.

jambot · 27/10/2006 08:02

I started solids at about 18 weeks due also to the fact that she was getting hungrier and waking. Tried cereal, which DD hated, but loved pears. People can go on about this 6 month weaning business all they like, but if you're life is becoming unbearable, I would try him with solids and see if it helps.

Original poster
DetentionGrrrl · 27/10/2006 08:10

Well i asked my mother and gran about it, and they said try some baby rice. I understand the advice about 6mths, but he's so hungry, and so well developed in other ways, i think it's worth a try.

I'd be loathe to have him in bed now that he sleeps (usually!) in his cot in his room next door to us. I was weaned at 4mths, as were my brothers, and there's no history of allergies in either of our families.

Am so tired Got a driving lesson later, and it's my graduation tomorrow. I look like poo

OP posts:
Original poster
DetentionGrrrl · 27/10/2006 10:27

Have given him a spoon of baby rice made with formula (i have no breastmilk left to give!) He seemed to enjoy it, and it all went in too! He's asleep on the floor now- Hoorah! Will try him with another spoonful this time tomorrow.

Would baby massage help him sleep better? Don't know much about it- any ideas?

OP posts:
ludaloo · 27/10/2006 10:34

ahh you tried it.....hope things improve for you!!!!!!!! good luck tomorrow too.....drink plenty of cola...might perk you up!!!!!!!!!
no nothing about massage...but you never know.....might be worth a go!

swifter · 27/10/2006 14:17

Hi there- sorry to butt in just wanted to add that I used to give formula just before bed as my breat milk was so rubbish at that time of day and that combined with weaning really helped. I weaned my little boy at 17 weeks as he was 10lb born and soooooooooo hungry!! It does get better xxx

dcb · 27/10/2006 14:33

Things started to get better with our dd (now 16 weeks and BF) with giving her a dream feed of expressed milk at about 10.30 after going to sleep at about 7.30. She was waking up just at 4 but currently 1.30 and then 4. Hopefully this will settle again. I'm sre the extra feed at 10.30 is helping - it was 3 times a night before. I didn't believe you could feed a baby without waking but it does work - my dh does it and he loves it as well. Could this work for you?

New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Swipe left for the next trending thread