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Sleep

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Original poster

Toddler wakes in winter months

22 replies

Autumnlily14 · 09/10/2022 20:56

Exactly what the title says.

Our now 14 month old hit what we thought was a sleep regression at 4 months where his sleep got worse and worse from October until he wouldn't let us put him down at night.

My mum, after the new year, commented that she wondered if it was the weather and he'd sleep better when it was warm. I wasn't sure how it could be but low and behold come march he started sleeping better.

We thought that was the end of it until recently he hasn't started sleeping well. At first we thought it was covid as he had that but that has since passed. Then we thought it was reflux as he started making sick swallowing noises in the day and being sick but that has also been fixed. I would think it's as simple as he's just cold apart from the fact were following the safe sleep temperature guidelines.

We're really at a loss and don't know what to do as we can't go another 6 months of holding him especially as I'm pregnant and this baby will be due March.

If anyone has experienced this or has any suggestions I'd be extremely grateful. Also forgot to mention that one reason I don't think it's because he's cold is because he's waking every hour until 4 then sleeping straight through until 7?? Which has left me scratching my head.

OP posts:

bananaorange00 · 09/10/2022 20:59

My little boy was the same and a health visitor said to put socks under his baby grow and I thought what a load of rubbish. But we tried it and he started sleeping better 🤣 worth a try x

Original poster

Autumnlily14 · 09/10/2022 21:20

He's got socks on tonight so fingers crossed haha thanks

OP posts:

AperolWhore · 09/10/2022 21:23

My daughter runs cold like I do, she’s currently in her cot wearing a vest, fleece pyjamas, socks and a 4.5 tog sleep suit. Some babies just feel the cold more than others, have you tried a fleece baby grow? We used them until my daughter turned 2.

goblinkinggoblinking · 09/10/2022 21:33

Both of my children need more layers than recommended - they like to be snuggly! Hope extra layers and socks help!

Original poster

Autumnlily14 · 09/10/2022 21:37

I'm definitely leaning into giving more layers a go it's just so hard to not worry about the sids risk. We coincidentally just bought a fleece onesie this weekend so definitely will have to try if socks dont work. He did already just wake for a second and made a cry like he's in pain though??

OP posts:

DSGR · 09/10/2022 21:39

14 month old children wake a lot in the night, it’s not uncommon!

Sunshinegirl82 · 09/10/2022 21:40

What is he sleeping in OP? And what is the temperature in his room? Have you tried something like a Slumbersac with sleeves? Or a snuggle suit from Jojo?

Hiphopopotamus · 09/10/2022 21:40

He’s 14 months - the risk of SIDS is minuscule. Wrap your DS up and make sure he’s warm!

Original poster

Autumnlily14 · 09/10/2022 21:54

@DSGR It wouldn't bother me if he'd always been like that but since about 10 months he'd actually been sleeping better and better and had gotten to just one wake at night time.

@Sunshinegirl82 it's currently 20-22 and he's in a 1.5 tog sleeping bag, socks and a long sleeved vest which is the tommy tippee recommendation.

@Hiphopopotamus so I've just felt his chest to double check and if anything he's actually leaning to the hot side. Is it possible being too warm is making him keep waking as he does sleep better from 4-7 which is when the temp drops.

OP posts:

Sunshinegirl82 · 09/10/2022 22:05

Is he in a normal baby sleeping bag? Does he move about when he sleeps? He might be getting tangled up and waking himself up?

I'd be tempted to try one with legs and see if that helps?

Haycorns4Piglet · 09/10/2022 22:20

He's no longer an infant OP, so SIDS is no longer a possibility. If he gets a little warm the worst that will happen is that he wakes up, but he's doing that anyway! Try the socks, or a thicker tog sleeping bag. You can get weighted sleeping bags which are soothing in the same way a weighted blanket is.

bananaorange00 · 10/10/2022 02:08

When it's 20/21 both mine have needed 2.5 tog sleeping bag with a baby grow under or they get chilly and wake a lot x

bananaorange00 · 10/10/2022 02:12

Also I always thought my LO's felt too warm until i realised I just always have cold hands!

jennyofthenorth · 10/10/2022 02:26

I would try one of those little baby hats. Sounds odd, BUT I was that child, i needed a long sleeve sleep sack, socks, and a hat to be warm enough to sleep. In winter, i still sleep with a hat on

ChittyBang1987 · 10/10/2022 02:40

My lo has a 2.5 tog with legs and feer. Socks. Long sleeved pjs when it's 20 to 21. I think it's recommended for 1.5 but she doesn't sleep as well. Though during the day she has to sleep in 1.5 for the same tog or she's too hot. But at night she gets too cold. Strange eh?

Doowop1919 · 10/10/2022 06:03

We had this problem last year. As soon as we put him in a 2.5 sleep suit from Sainsbury's, he started sleeping through 😅

Doowop1919 · 10/10/2022 06:04

Doowop1919 · 10/10/2022 06:03

We had this problem last year. As soon as we put him in a 2.5 sleep suit from Sainsbury's, he started sleeping through 😅

That should say 2.5 tog sleep suit. I haven't woken up properly yet.

Original poster

Autumnlily14 · 10/10/2022 07:59

Thanks all for your suggestions. He only woke 2 or 3 times last night so I'm not quite sure. I will admit I'm hesitant to add extra layers because of the sids risk and thought it was only reduced after 1 but still possible? But I guess I'll have to take the leap.

unfortunately we can't use open legged ones as before he started sleeping poorly he started fighting sleep and only stopped once he was in a sleeping bag. I definitely didn't know about being able to get weighted ones as I was actually looking at the age limit for weighted blankets so I'll have to look.

thanks all

OP posts:

bananaorange00 · 10/10/2022 16:15

Autumnlily14 · 10/10/2022 07:59

thanks all

I'm obsessive over my little ones overheating at night and I'm always checking them but a 2.5 tog won't make your LO too hot at 20/21 x

Original poster

Autumnlily14 · 10/10/2022 17:40

@bananaorange00 that does make me feel a bit better thanks. I think I'm out of options anyway with what to try really.

@Haycorns4Piglet I absolutely loved the suggestion for a weighted sleeping bag, didn't even know they did them. Unfortunately I can't afford to drop that on one sleeping bag 💰😯

OP posts:

DrCoconut · 30/10/2022 17:04

My kids' sleep always goes downhill in autumn/winter. It's just something about this time of year.

LGBirmingham · 30/10/2022 19:54

Honestly op I think the seasons just combined with the beginning/end of the typical sleep regressions. 4 months, 6 months and 8-10 months.

But now lo could be cold for sure. Mine always needs more than the guidance says. But the could be numerous other reasons causing wakes. Teething and ear infections maybe? Dropping a nap? Recently started nursery? Also is lo still having night feeds?

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