8 month regression killing me

[Esb2807]

Hey. Just after a bit of advice.
My 8 month old daughter was sleeping through the night 12 hours straight. About 4 weeks ago she started waking through the night, screaming crying, for no reason, she was fed, dry bum etc. Just wanted a cuddle. Waking up to 6 times a night. The neighbours have even been banging on the wall (not sure what they’re gaining from this)
Anyway, just wanted to ask how long its going to last? Im living in some kind of hell and im at my wits end. Ive tried everything. Lullabys, cuddles, medicine incase of teething, cry it out. In the end i end up crying it out.
Any help would be a life saver

• one exhausted mother

I literally could have written this same post at Christmas. I really feel your pain. My (now) 1 year old went through the same thing, she was waking up every 2 hours, it was worse than when she was a newborn. I was so exhausted. It turned out to be a combination of teething and the switch from milk to consuming more solids was causing her some gastro discomfort at night. I found giving her some gripe water at bathtime after her evening meal helped a little bit. The health visitor also told me that whilst they might not be showing teeth coming through, all of the teeth are moving round in preparation of coming through so can cause discomfort. I also started safely co-sleeping on and off as it was the only way I could get any sleep. It probably doesn't feel like it now but it will end. I tried to keep myself sane by just telling myself she doesn't have anyone else in the world that can comfort her except me and also that it will end. It will end. It is a tough time but it will pass xx

Sometimes this is a sign that you need to change the routine. What are her naps like currently?

She sleeps 1.5 hours at 9am and then 1.5 hours at 2pm

Bed time at 7pm and she wakes for the day at 6/6.30

Thanks @Elzibells in a way its nice to hear im not the only one, i’ll try the gripe water and see how we get on.
Im so surprised at how long its going on for, i thought it would pass after a week or so, but here we are. Hopefully i’ll wake up to a little toothy peg very soon

I think she is having a bit too much daytime sleep which is compensating for the broken nights.
At 8 months I would do this routine
7am wake and milk feed
8am breakfast (porridge)
9.15-10am nap
11.30 lunch including protein with yoghurt for dessert
12.30-2.30 nap
3pm milk feed
5pm dinner, carbs based no protein
6pm bath
6.30pm milk feed
7pm bed
I would expect max one night feed at this age with this type of routine.

Thank you @LapinR0se thats super helpful! Going to give it a try and see how we go. Currently doing bedtime, praying for a better night

Just to check @LapinR0se im cutting the day time sleep by 15 mins? X

You are cutting the morning nap by 45 mins. That’s when they do the catching up on lost night sleep. Overall day sleep you can aim to max at 2h30 - 2h45

Right ok, makes sense :)
Thanks so much @LapinR0se

For me personally, the expectation that my baby should be sleeping through the night just piled on pressure and stressed me out more. It really made me feel like I was failing as a mum when it didn't happen. I decided to just go with the flow, respond to her, comfort her until she goes back to sleep, this worked for me. My baby still wakes 1-2 x a night now as 1 year old. Not sure how you are feeding your baby and don't expect you to divulge this but if you are BF it is more common for them to wake at night time for a feed/comfort. I'm interested to see whether the change in nap routine works. I hope it does for your sake🤞. Being sleep deprived is a real struggle x

Also having similar issues with my almost 10 month old. Could I ask please @LapinR0se, would you stick to the same routine timings you suggest at almost 10 months or vary? I have been unsure when I should be getting her to nap. Also, can I ask why you recommend protein at lunch but none at tea time? Thanks

Hi @turquoisegirl6. At 10 months you can reduce the morning nap further so it’s 30 mins but keep the nice long lunchtime nap.
Protein takes longer to digest and can stop your baby having a decent milk feed before bed. After your baby turns one this is less of an issue and you can do protein any time of day.

Thank you @LapinR0se, I'll try that.

I’m not sure that cutting naps would work for all babies. My little one wakes more if she is overtired. She is almost 1.5 and still has two 1.5 hr naps a day at 9.30am and 2pm. Bed at 7.30pm and usually sleeps through until 6.30am. We did go through a month or so of horrendous nights at around 8 months but it just got better with time.

I am not suggesting to reduce total napping time by much. Just organising it better

Hi just jumping on this thread as I’m in same boat! @LapinR0se - getting crap naps from my nearly 9 month old 30 mins max previously excellent napper, thought issues were relying to the need to drop third nap, since doing this the naps aren’t consolidating as expected. Following wake windows and doing absolutely everything. Having to bring bed time super early like 6.15 but feel this is causing early wakes. Baby also teething. Anyway wanted to ask routine related, should I stick to set times of the day or keep following wake windows? Currently 6am wake, first nap 9 second nap around 1.30 and then bed time 6.15

Hi @Ameli86 does she self settle?

@LapinR0se thanks for reply. Yes she does, was napping 1.5 hours previously for 2 naps but as of last 3 weeks she just doesn’t want to sleep past 30 min mark, have tried giving it 10 mins before going in giving her a chance to settle and also controlled check ins. I know she needs more and can but just won’t ! Surely way too early to drop
To one nap she’s only just turned 9 months. Night sleep is ok with occasional wake up but never to feed

It might be hunger. What centile is she on?
I would do this:
Wake 6am: milk feed
Breakfast 8am: porridge or scrambled egg and fruit like blueberries or banana
Nap 9-9.30am
Lunch 11.30am including protein followed by full-fat Greek yoghurt
Nap 12.30-2.30
Milk 3pm
Dinner 5pm plenty of carbs eg pasta with veggie sauce followed by avocado and banana purée
Bath 6pm
Milk 6.30pm
Bed 7pm