6 month old sleep

[Cheeseandwineandgin]

My lovely boy is 6 months old. Pretty bad reflux and on max dose treatment. EBF but introduced solids at 23 weeks due to weight loss with reflux. Daytime naps always been a nightmare. Occasionally fed to sleep but would wake if transferred to cot. Mostly slept in sling which on reflection was likely due to the reflux.

Used to be an excellent night time sleeper. Feeds to sleep every time. Since 4 month sleep regression night time sleep not been great. Wakes multiple times. Feeds back to sleep. Recently cannot even be fed to sleep. Will ooccasionally tolerate rocking with dummy but on a few occasions my husband has taken him for a walk in the sling as we have been so desperate. Just tried moving him to his own room. Not helped. Did previously co-sleep after multiple wakenings but this is less effective now.

I suspect problem is a bit of overtiredness and also not learning to self settle due to feeding to sleep. Will not tolerate pram or buggy and carseat results in purple sweaty screaming baby.

I feel guilty that I have essentially slept walked into making my baby a poor sleeper but I don't know how to break the habit. I dont want to do CIO. Any advice?

Given the feeding issues I would suggest the primary reason behind poor sleep is lack of calories.

Early weaning foods tend to be low calorie and it is calories baby needs. If you feel baby isn't getting enough from just your EBFing, could you try formula and mix feeding? It will probably be more successful in getting more calories into baby.

You are simply never going to get a hungry baby sleeping well or settling easily. So you cannot begin to tackle sleep issues until feeding and calorie intake is adequate

Might also be worth looking into cow's milk protein allergy, or other intolerances. They can often be a cause of reflux.

You have not done anything wrong with your baby. It's really normal for them to wake frequently in the night even up to a year old. You will find it goes up and down and even if you 'do something about it' now you'll find there'll be a growth spurt/regression or something else about a month later. Promise, it's all normal and it will get better

Thanks. He does have cows milk protein allergy so already dairy free. Reluctant to introduce formula now. Weaning is going well. For example has a whole weetabix with fruit for breakfast. Think I probably just need to ride it out.