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baby doesn't sleep - at breaking point!

19 replies

Hope42 · 11/10/2021 09:16

I'm hoping someone can offer some advice that we have not yet tried. I had about 10 hours sleep all last week and could cry!

Since about 5/6 weeks old, my 4 month old has barely slept 45 mins at a time in her cot and that's a good night. We have had random nights where she has done the odd 3 or 4 hours but I can probably count on two hands how many times she's done this.

I am convinced it is linked to tummy troubles. She goes into the cot sound asleep and within 10 mins she is writhing around pushing her belly out and lifting her legs up. She cries often in the day when she has a poo but this normally starts with red eye brows and moaning around an hour before she poos. I have been on three sets of antibiotics since she was born and I'm guessing this hasn't helped either so have started on a smaller than the recommended dose of probiotics for her and some actimel for me to see if this helps.

We have followed a routine since she was born and she clearly knows day from night. She doesn't just drop off in the day (we rock her) but at night we can just hold her and she will go to sleep. We do book, bath, massage and feed then transfer to cot when she's sound asleep. We have tried 'drowsy but awake' but that doesn't work. She only really wants to feed twice at night so isn't waking for food.

I have cut out dairy - 3 weeks so far and general poo consistency has improved. Also one week in to dairy free, she did 5 nights in a row of 2-4hour sleeps so it can clearly happen. Last week she literally woke up every time her head hit the cot. The whole settling process then has to start again. I usually try getting her into the cot til about 3/4am then give up and have her sleep on me. We have tried cosleeping but she hates this too. She sleeps easily on her own on her belly but obviously this isn't advised.

Spoke to my HV she was at a loss and said she'd not heard anything like this. My little girl is a very happy baby. She stops crying once you go to get her at night and rarely cries in the day unless she's going to poo.

I've been falling asleep with her on me recently so now have an added sids worry. Has anyone else been through anything similar or can spot something we haven't tried. I'd be so grateful!

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
NavigatingAdolescence · 11/10/2021 09:18

4 month sleep regression.

RainyDayzs · 11/10/2021 09:19

Sounds like she's constipated op.
I can't remember the name of, useful I know but GP gave us something for DS to help.
So I do think it's worth a phone call.
Have you gave her gripe water aswell for any gassy pains?

Hope42 · 11/10/2021 09:20

Hi @NavigatingAdolescence this has been happening since 5 weeks old. I wish it was a regression!

OP posts:
Hope42 · 11/10/2021 09:22

Thanks for your reply! Smile We have tried various things like gripe water, infacol and massage.
Would you say she can be constipated if she poos regularly? 5 or 6 x a day!

OP posts:
RainyDayzs · 11/10/2021 09:24

Ah I missed she goes that often!
What are her stools like?
As it seems she's having a hard time getting them out

Hopefulbride18 · 11/10/2021 09:25

My DS was like this. Utter hell for 6 months. You have my full sympathies. I never really found anything that helped, that I could do for him. Can she roll yet? Once he could roll himself and sleep on his tummy though he was soooo much happier! Is she having plenty of tummy time during the day? That seems to help those with poor digestion sort of get it through quicker. Really hope this passes soon for you Flowers

ADreadedSunnyDay · 11/10/2021 09:27

OP, speak to your GP about lactose intolerance .... my DS turned out to have lactose intolerance and sounds very similar. It wasn't even considered by the HVs. I used to get told things like he's very windy but seems OK. I also spent a lot of time doing baby massage and DS would mainly only sleep on me or in co-sleeping arrangement. It became clear at 6 months after a viral infection there was an issue, and my lovely GP prescribed a lactose free formula so I could see if there was any change. Within three days we saw the situation improving.

Meantime let her sleep on her tummy but make sure you are monitoring her well

FATEdestiny · 12/10/2021 22:13

Do you give baby a dummy? Sucking can help reflux and tummy issues.

Ginevere · 12/10/2021 22:17

Have you tried sleep training OP?

GiltEdges · 12/10/2021 22:19

Appreciate this is controversial but I'd imagine it's far safer to let her sleep on her tummy than to have you fall asleep whilst still holding her...

MilkywayMonarch22 · 12/10/2021 22:25

The only things I can think of are:

Lactose intolerance
Colic (my DD had it to 3months then 4month sleep regression hit!)
Food allergy affecting her if you're breastfeeding

Are you on ABs or her? ABs can really mess up their tummies so if she's been on 3 sets or you have and are BF maybe that's affecting?

Do you use white noise, blackout blinds etc and following sleep/wake windows for her age? X

stillsleeptraining · 12/10/2021 22:32

My DD wouldn't sleep on her own until 5 months. We both absolutely hate cosleeping, but it's what we needed to do for a long time. She just needed to be held constantly - and then suddenly it stopped.

And second dummies!

I'm really rooting for you - it's hell.

olderthanyouthink · 12/10/2021 22:38

Daily and soya can be linked so watch out for that in your diet and possibly eggs too.

ChuckMater · 12/10/2021 22:40

Fourth trimester

Followed by 4 month sleep regression

DS1 was similar with reflux added to the mix too, it feels like it'll never end but it will pass. Sleep when you can, even if that means napping at your inlaws while they watch the baby for a few hours. It makes such a difference.

SnackSizeRaisin · 15/10/2021 04:09

Could it be a breastfeeding latch issue? Just with you saying there are 6 poos a day. Are they green or yellow? Latch problems can seriously affect sleep. It causes tummy pain and gas We had this and it was easily sorted - made a huge difference.

Other than that I would just let her sleep on her tummy.

Flittingaboutagain · 15/10/2021 04:53

Have you been prescribed infant gaviscon? I'm half asleep here sorry if I missed that.

Flittingaboutagain · 15/10/2021 04:55

Rather than let her sleep on her tummy we have still been doing shifts here between us and using the gaviscon. At 5 months it'll be so much better as your baby's digestive system will be over the biggest hurdles.

Bigeggsinapackoften · 15/10/2021 05:00

That sounds like it might be lactose intolerance to me. I’d go back to the gp for advice.

FTMbg · 15/10/2021 05:51

Does she seem bloated? Does she burp after feeding ok? Roughly how many hours is she sleeping in 24?

Things like tiger in the tree hold and googling different burping methods (leaning forward was her one) helped us. Along with a lot of other things you've already tried. Hope you find something that works for you.

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