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4:30 fucking AM!!!!!

25 replies

HelloSquirrels · 30/09/2017 06:14

My 17 month old was once a brilliant sleeper. From about 10 weeks he would sleep 9-7 And from 7 months 7-7 in his own cot.

He goes to sleep like a dream, put him down awake in his cot and he will say bye bye and roll over and that's it.

He will usually then sleep, sometimes he'll wake up for his dummy but as soon as he's got it back he's back asleep.

Just recently he's been waking up and turning into a screaming banshee and it's always fucking 4:30am. I usually just do the go in, give him back dummy/comforter and leave thing repeatedly until he sleeps.

This has now stopped working. Dp will go in, pick him up and then put him down say 5 mins later when he's calmed down from his screaming fit. This no longer works either.

I would totally understand if he wanted to get up because he was wide awake but he's not. He's exhausted. His eyes aren't even properly open half the time. He's not wet, not hungry and not in pain (he stops crying as soon as you pick him up).

It seems to be more and more frequent and I can only assume it's separation anxiety? Is this just something I have to accept and come to terms with the fact I may never sleep past 4:30 again?

We're both at the end of our tether and both work full time so no chance really to catch up on sleep except we both have one lie in each at the weekend.

I've got up with him today after 1 and a half hours of us both trying to settle him. I've got to the point where I just do not know what else to try!!

Can anyone help or at least relate?

OP posts:
jbiscuits · 30/09/2017 06:25

I have no advice, but my 15 month old has been awake since 4:45, so I feel your pain! My eldest used to sleep through to 8am at the same age, so I am completely clueless as to what we're doing differently!

HelloSquirrels · 30/09/2017 06:34

I'm not alone then!

He's so moody now. He's had his usual cup of milk but he's whinging because he is so tired!!

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FusionChefGeoff · 30/09/2017 06:44

What's his daytime routine like?

BeingATwatItsABingThing · 30/09/2017 06:45

There are stages of sleep regression. Every time we thought we’d cracked it, DD would suddenly go through a regression and we would lose it again.

feebeemee · 30/09/2017 06:46

Teething? My DS used to get like this in the weeks before a new tooth made and appearance, then as soon as it broke through he was back to his usual 12hours a night.

SevenDwarfWharf · 30/09/2017 06:50

I'd guess teeth. Molars are awful. Try giving Calpol as soon as he wakes then don't try to put him down for another 20 min to give it a chance to work...then pop him back in the cot and see how you go. The trick will be to keep in sleepy in a dark room.

LoveProsecco · 30/09/2017 07:19

I also think teething or sleep regression. My one year old is similar is now waking and screaming and it’s coincided with several new teeth and some are his first molars.

He’s also going through a growth spurt I think as some days eating more than usual and also trying to have much longer or increased naps.

HelloSquirrels · 30/09/2017 09:13

fusion very hit and miss. When he's with us on a weekend I enforce naps (usually 2 x about half hour) otherwise he's very stroppy. At nursery they try to put him down for naps but the amount of sleep he gets ranges from literally none to about an hour!

Could well be teething I suppose. He's never been bothered by his teeth in the day time at all. Not a chewer either but it could well be waking him in the night I suppose. I will keep an eye on his teeth.

We've just cuddled up on the sofa and had a nap. He's woken up a lot less moody and so have I but I'm lucky it's the weekend really for mine, his and everyone at nursery sake!!

OP posts:
FATEdestiny · 30/09/2017 10:47

1h daytime sleep isn't enough. I would make it one nap rather than two, from about 12pm. Then make a concerted effort to resettle and expect nursery to aswel. You should be expecting at least 2h at this age.

So as well as the 4.30am wake being due to accumulated over tiredness, i wouod also suggest separation anxiety at this age. I would do all of your settling in the cot, but stay there throughout - from baby first waking through until fully back to sleep. Lots of in-cot touch reassurance So baby knows you are right there.

FusionChefGeoff · 30/09/2017 14:02

Agree - not enough daytime sleep. Abandon all plans for the next week (!) and put every ounce of your being into creating a routine with a post lunch 2h sleep - ideally no later than 1-3pm. And then try 6.30 bedtimes. It's likely to be overtiredness and seeing as he won't catch up in the morning, you're going to have to try to make it up everywhere else until he's back on an even keel.

Good luck 💐

HelloSquirrels · 30/09/2017 16:04

Thanks! I did think it wasn't enough but he's such a nap refuser. I can't abandon all plans as he's full time at nursery and .starting a new job! I will try go for the one long nap when I'm at home tho for sure!

OP posts:
HelloSquirrels · 01/10/2017 08:27

He slept in until 8 this morning..... but he was up for an hour between 12-1am!

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vukse · 01/10/2017 09:44

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

HelloSquirrels · 01/10/2017 10:32

What did that say? I missed it?!

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ladyvimes · 01/10/2017 10:36

After looking after my nephew last night who was up at 5am and several times in the night I am reminded that, although I’m sometimes broody, I definitely don’t want to go through that stage again. I feel your pain!

HelloSquirrels · 01/10/2017 10:37

Haha thanks! No more for me either....

Love him to bits but we're all struggling at the minute...

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FusionChefGeoff · 01/10/2017 17:10

In that case, have a chat with nursery and try to get them on side to push for the nap. Most settings seem to put everyone who has naps down after lunch anyway and that might help if everyone / most kids are also doing it

HelloSquirrels · 01/10/2017 17:49

Yes they do put him down after lunch and he will sleep just not for long at all. Id say he averages 30 mins. They are trying - most of their children have two hours but mine just won't :( I will mention it anyway though!

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HelloSquirrels · 02/10/2017 06:06

5am this morning. He's still very tired and so am I what a great day to start a new job
I'll speak to nursery this morning and hope he has a decent sleep there!

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TwatteryFlowers · 02/10/2017 08:30

Is something waking him up like the heating clicking on or neighbours making :s noise? Could he be getting cold at that time on a morning (or, if the heating is on, too hot)? Could he be hungry or thirsty? If you don't already you could try giving him a supper before bed and see if that works?

Handsoffmysweets · 02/10/2017 09:17

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at the poster's request

HelloSquirrels · 02/10/2017 12:37

I don't think he's too hot or too cold he always feels a nice temperature. Nothing noise wise should be waking him up we live in a terrace but the walls are thick so we don't hear much.

He doesn't ever wake up and want milk he seems happy to take it or leave it but I will certainly try it, and the socks!

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HelloSquirrels · 03/10/2017 06:24

6am this morning! He's still tired. He had just over an hour nap at nursery yesterday.

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otherdoor · 03/10/2017 06:29

Similar issues here OP, no idea what is going on!

For your own sanity, I recommend taking the odd day of annual leave when he's at nursery and using the time to catch up on sleep. It's all that's keeping me sane at the moment Grin

VinIsGroot · 03/10/2017 06:37

I shouldn't comment ..but I will!!!!
Been up since 2:30 am with DS 8 who is disabled ...this is how s morning...unless he's ill..he might go a bit longer.
Imagine doing that for 7 years ....(he didn't nap as a baby !!!)
Your agony will end soon and you can reflect on how terrible those years were!!!
I've got two other DC ...don't stress ...it will end up promise !!!!

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