Help please! He just doesn’t sleep anymore 😭

[Phoebelouu96]

Hey my son is 6 months old and I just can’t convince him to sleep at night. I’ve tried everything from feeding him to cuddling him. I’ve even sat up all night (he still didn’t dose off) in the hope that he will fall asleep naturally.

He drinks roughly 36oz of milk, 18 oz of squash or water and 3 solid meals a day.

Has two naps both lasting no longer than an hour.

He was in a perfectly good routine. Starting his routine at 6:30, in bed at 8 and asleep before 9, I know that sounds late but believe me for the sleeping patterns of the children in my family it’s really good. He wakes once at 3 for a bottle and usually stays in bed til 8.

I’m completely stuck and don’t know what I’m doing wrong

So is he awake all night or does he sleep at all? Does he nod off easily in the day? How long has he been on solids for?

I would maybe have a chat with your health visitor about his diet. That’s an awful lot of water/squash for a baby that should have only just started solids. It’s not really recommended to give squash at all to such a little baby. It might be that his little tummy is sore having gone from just formula to three full meals and lots of water/squash so quickly.

We introduced solids fairly slowly but my daughter still seemed to stop sleeping around that time. Of course it might have been a coincidence.

At 6 months he shouldn’t be having squash at all. It’s really not good for them, even the sugar free variety.

Agree with the above poster, at 6 months he should be having milk as his main source of food and maybe one or two small meals on top. Food is just for fun until one - it shouldn’t be replacing milk just yet. Can you list what he’s eating at every meal? May give a clue as to why he’s not sleeping.

I have spoken to my health visitor due to him refusing to drink his milk. He was gagging every time he drank it. So they told me try new things and make sure he stays hydrated. The juice is literally the tiniest amount of squash to the rest water.

He started weaning at 5 months, what was I meant to do if he was refusing milk? Both his doctors and health visitor are content with his diet. He also shouldn’t be talking but he is so

This has only been for the last week since his dads work shift has changed. Probably should have mentioned that. He calls for his dad in the morning and his dad has already gone to work hours beforehand and whenever it comes to bedtime he just shouts and whines because he’s in bed. Yes I understand “he’s a baby” “he doesn’t understand” but you don’t know my son. So just take my word for it

Tealandteal, he will sleep but it won’t be until 4/5 in the morning and he’s up again like clockwork at 8, he must be knackered. In the day he falls asleep easily and just over a month, he loves his food he really does.

Ok so you’ve answered your own question haven’t you!

Do stop giving him squash, if it’s the tiniest amount then what’s the point? Water is fine.

Crikey that's a heck of a lot of fluids! I don't think even I drink that much liquid a day! If he is fully weaned e.g. eating 3 full meals, he really doesn't need 36oz of milk as well, in fact he probably only needs around half that amount. He might be sleeping badly because he is overfed and its messing with his digestion. Maybe try reducing the milk and see how he goes?

I agree with others about the squash. He is drinking lots of won’t be dehydrated. Are you offering milk 30 before food? Early weaning food has a lot less calories than milk so the more food he had the more he will wake for milk durring the night. No a bad thing in itself but tiring for you. My DD almost refused all milk durring durring the day at this point but had plenty durring the night so it was all good for her.

There is a big sleep regression at 6 months. We started cosleeping at this point and it was much better for us.

You need to forget about being a family of good sleepers your baby is doing what babies do.

This advice is once weaned 17-18oz of milk a day is whats needed.

He’s offered the milk first and if after half an hour he doesn’t want it I give him food. He can easily drink three bottles at night and barely one during the day.

Reguarding the squash may I ask what’s wrong with it? It’s recommended from 6months on the bottle? It was in the baby food section?

Thank you for the last few tips everyone

TeddyIsABoy....get lost, you’re just here to criticize and be sarcastic. I only came her for advice not to be told I’m a terrible mum, I already feel like that. So thanks

I haven’t said you’re a terrible mum! Just to not give squash. No one here think so you’re a terrible mum.

He will be drinking the squash because it tastes good rather than being thirsty.

The bottle recommends from 6 months because there is no law against it and they want to make money. Companies sell products to make money and there are lots of dangerous product being sold eg cot bumpers and cigarettes.

That's a very big intake of fluids and food for a 6 months old. Could he be struggling to digest it. Is he sitting up? Does he have a tummy ache? How's his pooing etc? If he's talking, ask him!

I agree with pp, offer sips of water with meals but maybe try without the squash. My DS is also 6 months so I know it is hard with the lack of sleep. Have you tried white noise to help him sleep?

There’s a massive growth spurt/sleep regression at 6 months. I know it’s hard with such little sleep but if it’s a recent thing I’d try and ride it out for a bit. It may well pass before you know it. Baby sleep isn’t linear in the first years- it goes up and down.

He’s had no digestIve problems at all, I’m hoping it’s a phase was just wondering if there was any tips to settling him, sorry if I was intense and angry it’s just the sleep deprivation talking

Sorry to hear you're having a hard time with sleep. I would echo concerns about the squash. My daughter is 2 and I don't allow her squash or fruit juice - it's sugary stuff that she really doesn't need. Could the sugar from this be keeping him awake?

Yes it is a phase and will pass, just keep on with your routine and don't make any changes if it was working before. Baby sleep is indeed linear- can change just as you think you've got it cracked! Good luck