My 5 month old and his sleep problems!!

[PippaRose91]

Hello,

So I have 2 big problems with my 5 month olds sleep, one of my own making.

Firstly, he wont sleep properly before about 11pm or midnight. We have a routine and he will go down at 7 and needs this sleep but will only go down for an hour tops. I tried moving the time earlier and later but this didn't help. He's just incredibly active and wants to play and screams the place down if you try and settle him back to sleep between the hours of 8pm and 11pm. Not really sure how to fix this.
Also tried making his naps shorter in the day, and getting him up at the same time everyday, this also didn't help.

The other problem (of my own making) is he won't go to sleep unless he's breastfeeding. I tried to do otherwise and he absolutely screamed and screamed until I caved and reverted back. Im talkong 45 mins constant screaming everytime. It was too much!
Does anyone have any tips for either of these issues that doesn't involve controlled crying or any variation of it.

Thank you! I'm panicking more now because I go back to work in 3 months and currently he won't settle on anyone else but me. Even his dad can only settle him a bit.

Honestly? This doesn’t sound like sleep problems. It sounds like being 5 months old. This is all pretty normal, and it will pass!

Have a look at the sleep ladder (can't remember name of book sorry) but it might be helpful. Talks about getting them to self settle.

Tbh though my .5mo is an exceptional self settler- breastfeeds, then goes into cot sleepy but awake, asleep within minutes. He then wakes up 8/10 times a night before getting up for the day at 5am...

I think pp may be right, 5month olds are just terrible sleepers.

Yeah this is just usually how 5 month olds sleep! You haven’t done anything wrong at all. Dd was an utter pain until she was about 11/12 months and then we really turned a corner. She’s 22 months now and sleep has gone back to shit, so it’s definitely not a linear thing. Even if they sleep well for a while they can suddenly decide to wake up constantly again for no discernible reason at all!

He sounds like a normal 5 month old! Nothing wrong with feeding to sleep at this age, enjoy it while it lasts.

Remember to things, babies have no concept of time. So sleeping in the evening is not necessary their thing. DS stayed downstairs with us until he natruly started sleeping earlier in the evening. Wish I'd done the same with my first and not stressed about her being in bed for 7pm. (You'll get more time with him then when you go back to work).

Another you are their whole world, milk contains sleeping hormones to help them sleep. Falling asleep while feeding is normal. If your baby isn't with you in childcare they normally have ways of dealing with them.

Oh and 3 months is a long time in a babies life, they will be on food and probably do something totaly different by then. So try to enjoy your time with your baby now.

Thank you for your messages, it's very reassuring. I have so many friends who have similar aged babies who all say how much their babies just sleep through and fall asleep perfectly for every nap and sleep it's very disheartening.
Equally knowing I can't leave him with anyone yet so me and my partner can go out because pretty sure he wouldn't settle is tough. But I'm sure we'll get through it!!!

Oh another tip other people lie about their how their babies sleep. It's like a competition and they don't want to be seen as the ones struggling.