Help

[nimbs]

Hi - my little boy is just 19 weeks old and has never slept through the night. I've got used to waking up once or twice a night but just recently its more like five or six times. We started weaning him at 16 weeks because he was waking every forty five mins or so for more grub - and he's taken to solids like a duck to water! He's also now in his 'big' cot whereas before he was in the carry cot - so he's got more room to move around. I've been breastfeeding him on demand and this hasn't decreased as his solids have increased - he just wants more. He also doesn't take such long naps during the day - so its not that he's swapped night and day around! Is there anyone else who has had this trouble and can you help? I'm just getting so tired now - this has been going on for the past three weeks. help Thanks, Nimbs

Was it when he was moved to the big cot that his sleeping pattern changed? As that may be a reason, that he's not use to so much room compared to his carry cot

is the cot in your room or in his own room because he might be sencing that your not around

Nimbs, maybe it is the daytime naps that are the prob. Good daytime naps equal better night sleep. He should be sleeping at leat a couple of hours or more in the day. Have you tried putting him down 2 hours after he wakes up in the morning or after his lunch time feed? The idea that they will be more tired and sleep better in the night if they don't sleep in the day just doesn't work with babies I don't think. Good Luck.

Hi thanks for your advice- his sleeping patterns changed before he went into the big cot - that's why I put him in there as I thought maybe because he didn't have so much room that was why he kept waking up. His cot is in our room still - I daren't move it to his yet!!! I'll be up and down like a yo yo!!!

I think you're right about the daytime naps Aussiesim - he's asleep at the mo - prob is keeping him asleep - he tends to catnap during the day - anyone got any suggestions to increase these?

Thanks once again for your help -

very tired,

Nimbs

What is your daily routine (sleep, bf & solids)?

Hi Nimbs,

My littles ones have never been big sleepers. I only managed to get some sleep by sleeping with dd in our bed. That way dd could feed & I didn't have to get up. Also my closeness helped her feel settled. I also fed lying down in the day time so I could rest(depending on what other children were upto. When I started solids dds didn't want to cut down on BF. I just fed on demand and gradually - once they could feed themselves well they reduced feeds.

Best wishes

Hi thanks for your messages. Karen daily routine something like this but does vary

7am/7.30am: Up and BF
7.30 - 9.00am: Nappy change, on playmat playing
9.00 - 10.00am: Nap
10.00am - 10.15: Solids - usually fruit puree or baby cereal followed by BF if he wants more
10.15 - 12.30pm: Nappy change, on playmat or playing with me
12.30 - 1.30pm: Walk with dog (if not chucking it down!!) He normally sleeps whilst we walk though
1.30pm - BF
2.00pm - Awake playing with me/ on mat/ door bouncer etc
3.30/4.00pm - BF
4.30pm - Play
6.30pm - Supper - normally veg puree and BF after if he wants - generally falls asleep after this
7.30/8.00pm - awake - bath time - story - quiet play
9.00/10.00pm - BF - put in cot

Then awake roughly 3 hours after this feed - then can be as often as every 1 1/2 hours.

Except today he's now asleep and its only 11.00am as we had terrible night- so as I said very general routine.

Fairy Princess - thanks - there is light at the end of the tunnel then??!!!

My Health visitor suggested an extra meal during the day - which we are going to try today - will let you know how we fare tonight!

Thanks everyone

Hi Nimbs,

Your routine sounds good & fun for ds. There is light at the end of the tunnel !! When I had to be up I'd try to have something nice for myself - something to munch, special tea or coffee, a mag to read...I also used to film with the camera so I can show the evidence when dds are older!! Things like 'It's 3 in the morning & look at dd so happy to play...and here I am completly shattered but still standing' Sort of made sense at the time

Good luck with the extra meal

Hi nimbs, we are in a very similar situation, and you have my every sympathy. My ds is 18 weeks, and although a lovely little boy in every other way, has also never slept through the night. I am BFing, was purely on demand but now has settled into a routine of his own (more or less).

Until recently he was waking very frequently at night. I felt completely destroyed, so much so that I started to 'force' him to sleep more in the day, just to get a break. This was very difficult as he hates to go to sleep in the day, and resisted my attempts. In the end I managed it with various tricks (dummy, mobile, but stroking his head and closing his eyes works best, but it's hard work). I make him go to sleep 2-3 hours after he last woke up. He now has two or three good naps (45-60 mins each) in his cot, and this has made all the difference to his night-time behaviour, and he now only wakes once between 11pm and 7am.

It seems funny that daytime sleeping helps night-time sleeping, but I am convinced of it now.

Best of luck.