About to drop dead of exhaustion

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My 6 month old has gone back to waking 5777555 times a night and sleeping no longer than 2hrs at a time. I’m dying.

Tried gentle sleep training, worked beautifully and now has no effect whatsoever - he would cry for hours without settling if we left him (obviously I’m not doing this!)

He’s already on 3 meals a day, quite happily goes 5/6hrs between breast feeds in the day. If I try feed him more to make sure he’s full he refuses. Through the night he wants feeding every 2/3hrs if not more frequently and cries and cries if he’s not fed. Tonight he threw his mil back up because he just doesn’t need it with the amount he’s eating!

I don’t know what to do.

So he's feeding for comfort not because he needs it? Honestly I'd stop. He surely can't cry for more than a few hours for a night or two before he gives up and goes to sleep? He's got to be tired too hasn't he?

If he's not hungry what is the reason he's waking up though? Maybe you haven't fixed that.

What about a dummy to suckle?

@SkyHippoOnACloud I have absolutely no idea. He’s warm, full, changed - the only thing he gets annoyed about is when he rolls on his front and can’t get back over but now he can roll from front to back so that should be elfien now.

That’s what I thought - but the last two nights have been horrific. Last night he slept 7:30 - 9:30, then back down til 10:30, back up at 11:30, screamed until 1:45 going in in intervals settling him like usual then up again at 3:30, 5:30 and now 6:30. Even the depths of the 4month regression were nothing like this.

@BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz I’d rather not introduce one just so I don’t then have to wean him off something else but if all else fails…

Elfien?? Should read ‘fine’!

I feel for you, it’s bloody tough. With my 2 (now almost 5 and almost 11months) the waking every two hours has always been a feature of either some developmental thing or a cold on its way. I lift them, snuggle and feed back to sleep and hope they stay that way when laid back down. It’s a killer but has never lasted long (although seemed like a million years by night three when I’m usually ranting “just fing slleeeeep please).

hopefully it will pass and a better night will be here soon. I have no tips as I co sleep despite having a cot bed next to my bed as I can’t lift baby into the cot without waking him!

@Treedecsandtinsel thank you. I normally go in, pick up, settle, put down and walk away but the crying starts as soon as I even begin to put him down now. It just feels impossible.

I just hope it’s short lived - I’m back at work in 3weeks!

Mastering s new skill maybe - crawling, sitting up?

It’s so tough isn’t it! I’m back at work in 3 weeks too and hoping for some good nights!
on really bad nights a friend with the same age baby sleeps on a mattress on the nursery floor so that she doesn’t have to traipse across the landing 500 times. Would that help (I tried that with my first but couldn’t sleep, hence just plonking him in my bed)
Sometimes if baby stirs and starts to cry a hand on his head or tummy will settle him. or if I’m lucky me muttering something. Are you able to lay down close enough to try that on a bad night?

Got no words of advice but just wanted to let you know you're not alone. My son is 6 months old and currently going through the same thing. Its rough

No advice but solidarity. Currently a month in to being up every other hour and wondering if lack of sleep can kill you 😅

Thanks guys, it’s always better to know you’re not alone!! It’s an absolute killer. I’m exhausted, my husband’s exhausted, the dog’s pissed off… baby’s babbling away like he’s had a solid 12hrs.

ARGH.

@Treedecsandtinsel i have a little roll out bed in his room for night feeds but he rolls himself off it immediately (and then cried).

Hand on his tummy used to work a treat now has no effect!

@JammyDodger101 I feel like it definitely will eventually. Was hoping 6 months post partum might be a good time to start slowly dropping the baby weight but currently eating sugar by the spoonful for survival like the alien from Men in Black.

Dummy

Is he teething? Calpol maybe?

Could it be teething? My HV once told me that when they are teething lying flat can cause a lot of pressure in their heads which is painful. She suggested we prop the head end of the cot up with books so they were tilted slightly and it would help ease the pressure.

Have you tried a dose of calpol before bed to see if makes any difference? If sleeps better then can try work out what could be cause of any pain.

Could be teeth at that age, also 3 meals is a lot (depending on quantity/how hard to digest) so could be wind/tummy discomfort, etc. So if teeth then can try gels/powders, etc with calpol/brufen as back up. Then something like a food diary and try see if any connection with particularly bad nights.

If no difference then at least know he's comfortable? Sleep training won't work on a baby that's uncomfortable/unwell. Hope his sleep improves for you.

Yep tried calpol - doesn’t really make much difference, but I do think teething might be a factor.

little runny nose this morning so maybe it is the start of a cold!

Haha, I am right there with you! I had every intention of starting a diet two weeks ago however this baby has other ideas. By the time dinner rolls round, I can just about drag my body to the door to collect a kebab or whatever disgusting pile of grease Just Eat has provided.

So last night bedtime took 90mins of crying but only one wake up at 2 and up at 7! There’s no rhyme or reason behind this at all is there??

@JammyDodger101 my mum brought me a WHOLE CAKE yesterday. Ate a massive slice straight after my carefully weighed out porridge and blueberries- accepted it’s a losing battle atm!