Tell me it gets better

[Needsleep93]

Name change because i hate feeling like this :(

DS is almost 8 months. No teeth yet but can see the first 2 under the gum. Teething seems to be causing ear problems. Doctor has ruled out an infection or any other problem.

The last 6 weeks he won't sleep more than an hour unless he's being held or someone is touching him (hand on his tummy etc). He settles fine then this all starts about an hour or so after. Sometimes i can resettle him in his cot but other times he his hysterical until we pick him up to hold him. He seems to be in a deep sleep, try the arm trick before moving him back to his cot, putting him down gently. Then I'm lucky to be in bed half an hour before it starts again, sometimes I don't even get back in bed.

Only way to get any sleep is co-sleeping which I hate because I worry something will happen and I don't get into a proper deep sleep anyway.

Before all this started he was sleeping 10-11 hours with just his dummy needing put back in 2/3 times.

Hes so happy during the day and like a different baby at night. I love him and he is very much wanted after years of trying and mcs. I feel so bad even thinking it but im miserable and exhausted all day. I ended up shouting at him last night. Feel like a bad mum because of that and I can't stop him crying half the night.

DH does help when he can but works alot of hours.

I'm going back to work in 2 months and I honestly can't see how I'll cope if this continues. Please tell me it gets better.

And I tried controlled crying for 2 nights. He cried for hours and hours, never fell asleep and I picked him up in the end. It made me feel terrible and I'm not trying it again.

Personally I did sleep training at about 6 months. Control crying. It's apparently harder as they get older.

I would say because lo has got in habit of you cosleeping lo expects that. Lo simply can't fall asleep without you, whether that's you holding, touching etc. There is nothing wrong with that and a lot of mums embrace cosleeping. There is apparently a safe cosleeping website. For me, I don't like and will never do cosleeping unless there older. I have done it couple times from early hours on bad nights when lo ill and we have spare bed in her room but I haven't slept.

With dummy I pop about 15 in her cot and she was popping them in at that age herself.

It's not much help tbh I'm sorry, hopefully someone will be along to help.

With teething. Touch of nurofen, and gel before bed, that's all we do. My lo ears always effected with teeth.

@ChittyBang1987 I really try not to co-sleep but by 3/4am I just give in because I physically can't be up any longer.

I know its my fault for starting it but he self settles for naps and sometimes during the night he does settle back himself. I can see him on the monitor. We have around 1 night every 2 weeks he can sleep right through then we go back to this. It's so frustrating

He has 10 dummies in his cot but he seems to get in such a state he won't pick them up. He can pick 1 up and put it in during the day if its next to him. I've got glow in the dark ones too but doesn't seem to help.

And he gets calpol and bonjela. Doesn't really help he is punching his head and pulling his ear most nights

There is nothing wrong with cosleeping. It's just not for me.

Have you tried a little nurofen?

Nice full belly? Lots of calories in day?

I would suggest if lo can self soothe for naps then lo can self soothe. Every bedtime and every bedtime do the same thing. Consistency is key.

Grabbing dummy, do u actively pop in lo mouth. I used to move lo hand and let her grab a dummy, and not put it in her mouth.

It's not your fault. Easy life, if it works it works.

@ChittyBang1987 I know there's nothing wrong with co-sleeping I'd just rather not do it.

I've not tried nurofen but will give it a shot. He loves his food and eats plenty. The last few nights he's had milk but thats unusual. I might try giving him a supper if that continues.

I usually just put the dummy in but thats a good point. Will start helping him to put it in.

Thanks for your suggestions