Please help - this can’t just be because of teething, can it?

[Levithecat]

DS2 has just turned 9 months and for about the past 6-7 weeks his sleep has been awful, but it’s getting even worse - it feels like he’s in pain. I’m nearly at breaking point and have had to take a day off work. DH is doing his share (we split the nights and have another DS to care for) but he’s not coping well either.

Can anyone shed any light? DS2 was great up until 7m, woke up frequently to feed which was tiring, but could self settle. I was amazed!

He’s now waking frequently (around 6 times each night), and takes a long time to settle. doesn’t want to be put down but doesn’t want to be held either. He screams, arches his back, bangs his face on us. He only sleeps when he’s exhausted himself and then wakes again shortly. Shush patting isn’t working and even if he comes in to my bed that isn’t helping.

We are giving him pain meds every night now, using anbesol and a teething anklet. I’ve simplified his evening meal in case his digestion was problematic. He has a full bottle before bed. We haven’t changed his formula. He has a dummy usually but hates it at the moment.

In the day he is generally very happy and settled and naps ok alone in his cot. He’s bottle fed and has around 6-10oz through the night, eats well during the day. He’s definitely going through a big developmental leap and is much more aware, so I think that’s part of the story. At night he switches to an incredibly unhappy unsettled baby.

Please can anyone help? It’s having a real impact on my job and mental health and just can’t go on.

Sorry it’s such a long post, I just wanted to give as much info as possible.

Just bumping for the evening crowd - hope someone can offer some advice (or just tell me it’ll get better!).

No real advice as my 14 month has never been a great sleeper, though there have been big improvements over time (though also dips - teething/new developmental stages). Might be worth talking things through with a health visitor?

Is the room cold?
Are his pyjamas too small?
Maybe try a night light?

Can you get his ears checked? That can keep them up in pain.

My first thought were allergies with introducing solids? DS slept well until 7 months then it all went to pot. Waking loads, awake for long period in the night, nothing helped, co-sleeping, patting, sleep training.

He did have reflux from allergies so getting in top if that helped. Eventually worked out he was allergic to eggs (among other things). Big sympathies. It was really awful time.

My first thought were allergies with introducing solids? DS slept well until 7 months then it all went to pot. Waking loads, awake for long period in the night, nothing helped, co-sleeping, patting, sleep training.

He did have reflux from allergies so getting in top if that helped. Eventually worked out he was allergic to eggs (among other things). Big sympathies. It was really awful time.

Thank you so much. I hadn’t thought about allergies but it does coincide with weaning.I’ll have a chat with the HV, and get his ears checked too.
I think everything in his room is fine, he doesn’t have a light but I’m worried that would keep him awake?

Hi we recently had this, no other illness symptoms just continuously waking and screeching every time. Nothing I usually did would settle DD so in the end a trip to the GP diagnosed ear infections in both ears!

funtimes, can I ask - was it only at night? I hope your DS is fine now.

Another vote for ears - thank you Roses, I’ll get them checked out.

I think a small night light would help, they become more aware at this age so might be scared.

DS was fine in the day, happy, smiley contented - everyone would comment and say how lucky I was but he was terror at night. Would scream the place down all night long.

Reflux was definitely a bit part of that and the back arching is a sign of reflux. He was in pain with that and tummy ache. He's 7 now, still has allergies and often complains of stomach pains if he's eaten something he shouldn't.

Ds teethed badly,it was hell and sounds similar.

If it coincides with weaning, I would strip weaning right back and try it differently. Your baby is mainly relying on milk before they turn one and it’s important to rule out any food issues.
The biggest headaches for my dcs were green vegetables (peas or brocolli would be awful for ds), onions (again awful), and some fruits like pineapple/citrus which were very acidic for them.

So I had to be careful. I didnt give him what we had but made tummy friendly versions.

If there is any reflux (which can be caused by dairy intolerance), teething can make it worse. Try lifting the head end of the cot - a couple of books under the feet is enough.

Thank you all so much, you’ve helped me feel like there may be ways out of this. We have lifted his cot, and I think I’ll strip weaning back - he has eczema too, so food intolerances might be playing a part. Definitely teeth too I think - DS1 was nothing like this when he was teething so it’s taken me by surprise. Thank you all X

This sounds like my situation. My DS is waking every hour and his cry is awful, like he’s in pain. Teething and eczema too. I’m desperate to resolve it, but nothing works. No advice - just someone else going through the same. All the best x

Hi Chester, solidarity! I’m sorry I didn’t notice your response until now - how are you doing? We’re still much the same here. Sometimes though he is definitely just awake and messing around. He’s managed to pull himself up to standing in the cot for example. So we may try some gentle sleep training. It’s exhausting isn’t it.