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Original poster

Confused - 5 month old waking at 4 am for 'no reason'?

7 replies

Joshuasmum · 15/09/2004 11:39

My DS has always been a great sleeper (I can hear all the groans from those of you who suffer with poor sleepers - sorry!)
In the last week however, he has taken to waking up at 4 am (you can set your watch by it!) for what appears to be no real reason. Other than just before I started weaning him 2 weeks ago, he has slept through from 3 months.
He doesn't seem to be too upset when he wakes, we can hear him gurgling and playing with his toys. The 1st couple of times I actively tried to settle him with a short cuddle, a dummy, a drink of water, a bottle and he didn't seem to want any of these and I semed to make things worse. Last night I ignored him for 20 minutes and only went in when he started fussing a bit. He seemd to be fussing mainly because he was tired (rubbing his eyes and whinging). I gave him a dummy and he went back to sleep????????
I should add that he takes a dummy at night, but usually spits it out after 10 minutes so I can't see a dummy issue? Could it be teething? Am I putting him to bed too early (7- 7:30 pm)?
Any ideas?

OP posts:
Original poster
Joshuasmum · 15/09/2004 11:42

I should add that he is also waking out of naps early and seesm restless at night...

OP posts:
Easy · 15/09/2004 11:44

I suspect it is the dummy. He probably half wakes, and wants the dummy to settle off again. I'm afraid you might need to get into the habit of working on auto-pilot to stick the dummy back in each night, until he is capable of putting it back himself (can't remember how old when this happens, sorry), you could fasten his dummy to him on a (short, no strangling pls) ribbon to help him find it himself.

fefifofum · 15/09/2004 13:33

My 5 mth old ds is the same - altho he has just started trying to crawl (much too soon for my liking!!) and seems to be compelled to practice in the middle of the night. I also use the dummy at night, but he often manages to put it back in himself and still sing and grunt for a couple of hours -3.30am to 5.30am- every night for the past week. I go in about twice and just stroke/pat his back and let him know I'm there. Like everything so far, I'm sure it's just a phase that they will grow out of, they are learning so much at the mo, their little brains must be spinning!!

kbaby · 15/09/2004 15:55

Glad im not the only one. DD who's 4 months has developed a habit of waking at 4am. She doesnt cry but will lie in her cot playing and talking to herself. Even if I go in and settle her she lasts 5 mins before shes back awake. I hope it is just a phase.

Sandi102 · 15/09/2004 15:56

joshuamum, we seem to be having the same troubles. As soon as one problem sorts itself out, another one starts!

My ds too was sleeping thro at 12 weeks and is now in his 3rd week of weaning. He used to get up at 2.30am and coo, then he'd go back to sleep himself. But in the last 2 days he is getting up at 2.30am and starts fussing. He won't re settle himself, so i end up giving the dummy.

Last night though, the dummy didn't work, so after an hour of ds fussing i came down and made a feed, which he gobbled down! BUT he didn't re-settle until 4am and then got up at 6am, whigned for 15min and went back to sleep and then got up at 7ish.

I thought maybe he's having a growth spurt? But today he has been esp. restless. Only taking 30min naps when he would usually take an hour or more. Do you think i should try leaving him to cry until he learns to fall asleep himself, instead of always giving in to the dummy?

Sandi102 · 15/09/2004 16:33

joshuamum, try this thread. could be the answer to our questions:

\link{http://www.mumsnet.com/Talk?picid=4&threadid=4256}

Original poster
Joshuasmum · 16/09/2004 16:25

Thanks for your thoughts - reassuring to know that it may just be 'a phase'.
I was wondering about the dummy use. He doesn't seem completely addicted, since he spits it out after 10 minutes and then sleeps till 4 am but who knows what is going through his head!
The HV had another suggestion to make - that he might be thirsty. In fact he did take water on 2 occasions..? Apparently the excessive dribbling and of course the addition of solids can make them more thirsty. On top of that my por DS seems to have some diarrhea from medication he is taking so perhaps that is it?
Hello again Sandi102! How is the feeding going?
I can't access that link by the way...can you try again?

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