Why would this sudden change?

[HerculesParrot]

Why would a previous sleeper-through start waking anywhere between 1 and 3 times a night? Not for a full feed, just for a sleepy whinge or a shout - usually settling for boob, but quite quickly and obviously not hungry. Why? She had a cold just before she hit 7 months which was when this started but that's long gone and she's still up and down all over the place. It's been going on 6 weeks now.

I know 3 times a night isn't 'bad' on the context of baby sleep (I posted about this before and basically got short shrift for having previously been very lucky with her sleep. I know we were, but that doesn't explain what's changed!) I know sleep development isn't linear, but we've gone from her never missing a night through for 4.5 months (we were very lucky) to random wakings, often every 2-3 hours. WHY would this happen? And what do I do?

• suddenly change, obviously. Sitting here while she rolls around doing angry singing and not proofing properly.

As you've said, sleep development in the first 12 months isn't linear. You don't mention how old baby is, I'm assuming 8-9 months? It could be:

• cutting teeth
• gross motor skill development (pulling to standing causes a massive backward step in sleep, likewise being able to sit erself up)
• fine motor skill development and/Or language understanding. Not physically affecting sleep, but the mental stimulation can make the mind overactive.
• calorie intake not keeping up with growth. Maybe it's time for a wider variety in diet and bigger portions?
• thirst. Is fluid intake being maintained in the daytime to avoid dehydration?
• separation anxiety starts around the 12m age, when baby who was previously happy to be left to go to sleep now wants Mummy to stay while they go to sleep.
• moving into own room?
• given we are now at the end of spring, could be too warm and need a cooler bedding sleeping bag / PJs
• noise from an open window? Light mornings?

I probably could think of loads more. Mostly it's about trial an error I am afraid. But be reassured that these regressions are quite normal, so don't worry.

Ugh. I was hoping you wouldn't say that.

It could well be: her grasp of weaning not keeping up with calorie needs, recently learning to roll and sit, bloody blackout lining that apparently needs to be nailed to the wall.

I guess we used up all our good luck in those first 7 months...!

They all sound like good reasons, im afraid.

Regarding blackouts (although the other two are more likely to be the reason, I reckon), I find back out curtains to be better than blinds. I have set the curtain track at ceiling level, much higher than the window. And made the track a good 50cm wider than the window and right down to the floor. Having such a big blackout overlap around the edges stops all light bleeding, I find.

It took me 10 years of parenting to figure that out. I wish I'd have realised sooner. I now but blackout "door curtains" for the kids rooms. They are sold singly and are around £15- £20 for one curtains, so we buy two per room.

I'm going to white tack velcro to the wall and stick the bloody things down.

This should confirm it's being caused by hunger/developmental leap, no doubt...