We're 5 weeks in...

[FebMama]

...to the 9 month regression and I'm shattered ☹️

DS2 is now 9.5 months old and was sleeping through 7pm - 6.45am ish.
Regression hit and he initially started waking up hourly. Thankfully the hourly wakes have stopped and he actually went back to 3/4 nights of sleeping back through again! But that was short lived.
At the moment, there's no rhyme or reason to our nights. It varies every night.

He's in bed around 7/7.15pm. Wake ups can start around 10pm although the other night our first wake up wasn't until 1am! I never know what I'm going to get with him.
Resettling him when he wakes is proving very difficult. Unless he is picked up, he will scream the house down. The issue then is trying to put him back in the cot just fails as he wakes instantly. We end up doing a dance back and forth of pick up/put down for around 30 mins and then in the end I give up and he comes into the bed with me.

Then he's so very unsettled from 4:30am onwards. But will generally wake fully for the day for 6.30am.

In terms of him going to sleep, he can settle himself. I put him down wide awake and say night night! I get big smiles and he nods off himself with no issue. Why has he forgotten to do this overnight?! I want my good sleeper back 😢

Any thoughts please?

Sorry I don’t have any great tips really!
But I wanted to reply as I have a 9 month old. She’s never slept through… always woken up every 1 1/2 - 2 hours. Is always a contact/sling napper. I co-sleep as it’s the only way to get some sleep.
I honestly don’t think there is a magic solution with baby sleep. I think you just have to support them through it. There is always a reason - regression, developmental leap, teething, separation anxiety etc. But I try not to focus on them and just think - whatever the reason she needs me in the night!
All I can say is try and get some support in the day if you can - a partner, family member or friend to watch your baby if you need some more sleep/a break/a rest.
It’s all temporary and you will get through it x

Agree with pp! Sounds pretty much identical to my nearly 10 month old. For us it's just teeth, colds, developments etc as previous poster says. I'm just grateful we're through the last round of hourly wake ups. I'm practising radical acceptance that yes it's hard but it's entirely normal, babe's getting enough sleep within a 24 hr period and is happy and cheerful and developing and a delight, trying to go to bed early, partner does wake ups before midnight and gets up in the morning/does breakfast. I decided to stop stressing about sleep after the 4 month regression and deciding I didn't want to sleep train. I do have the odd grumpy night, but just trying to lean into it and knowing it won't last forever and noticing any slight change/improvement each week etc has made it easier for me. (Our babe can't put himself to sleep so you are doing really well there!!)

@Brightandbreezey @cossmoss thank you both for your responses.

I seem to go through phases - one day I'll have a "it is what it is, let's roll with it" attitude. Other days I'll be so utterly fed up and exhausted that I just feel at an absolute loss.

I know it won't last forever but it's so hard to see past it!

DS1 was the same - he was terrible for the first 11 months and then like a switch, suddenly started sleeping through.

I think it's the torture that DS2 will occasionally give us the odd night of 12 hours of sleep then the following night could be an absolute shit show! Massively keeping us on our toes and ever know what kind of night we are in for. 🤷🏽‍♀️

@FebMama - I absolutely agree!! Sometimes it’s easy to think “it will be what it will be”. Other days it’s not so hard especially when you’re exhausted!
That is very reassuring that your DS1 suddenly switched at 11 months. Maybe DS2 will do the same 🤞🏼
yeah the not knowing is hard isn’t it? They keep us on our toes!!
@cossmoss - good to hear others are in the same boat. It does help to normalise it all!!
we will get through this!!

My son is 8.5 months and just learned to crawl. He's now awake 3-5am, initially playing but then the second hour screaming and crying. I'm sticking with spaced soothing and a cuddle if he's really upset and just hoping it passes soon. I've been going to bed early so I get some zzz before he wakes and then I get an hour or two after he goes back down. It's tough work though I feel you!

I feel a new level of exhaustion today. Even bringing DS2 into the bed when he wakes isn't working. From 3am this morning he was unsettled, wanted me to either tap his back or rub his bum and second I stopped, he would stir again. Eventually couldn't do it any longer so just got up for the day at 6am. I feel broken.

I wouldn't mind so much bringing him in the bed if we both actually got some decent sleep, but that's not working either. ☹️

Oh I feel you!! My little one wouldn’t sleep last night unless she was held or was latched! There is a tooth coming so explains it!
I’m sorry you’re feeling so exhausted! It’s just so hard isn’t it?Are you able to get any rest in the day at all?
I managed to have a contact nap on the bed with mine for an hour which I snoozed through. It wasn’t enough but helped!!