Sleep regression hell?

[Pearlg]

DS is 5 months old next week & for past 2 weeks has been waking up every 1.5hrs (or less) I've been breast feeding him back to sleep then trying to get some sleep myself before the whole cycle starts again & I am beyond exhausted.

Past few nights out of sheer desperation I've brought him into bed with me & DH & he settles down but wants to breastfeed constantly, I've now got an extremely sore neck & can hardly turn my head to the left from co-sleeping but I did get slightly more sleep.

My question is does this sound like sleep regression? How much longer will this last? If I co-sleep just for now until regression is over will he be used to it & never sleep alone?

I'm an emotional wreck due to lack of sleep & can't parent him & 3yo DD very welI today bcos I'm just so drained. Also I feel like I've brought this on myself by feeding to sleep until now but I've never been able to get him to sleep any other way!!

[Reb1986]

Hi Pearl,

How’s your family doing today?

That does sound extremely tough on you, but also as though you are doing a terrific job.

How was your baby sleeping before this stage? Was there a longer stretch?

From what I understand, there is a lot going on developmentally around 4 months (3-5): growth spurts, developmental milestones and changes to sleep. All of these can contribute to massively changed sleep at this time. But, it’s not permanent!

Are you managing to get some naps in the day when you’re feeling particularly tired?

[Reb1986]

Also wanted to say, despite what some people trying to sell you sleep programs will tell you, feeding to sleep is natural. You haven’t done anything wrong!

[PutOnYourRedShoesAndLetsDance]

Two years l breast fed.. no set pattern.. sometimes every hour sometimes 2 hours sometimes half hourly.. 24 hours a day.. can't your partner put baby to breast and cuddle up to you.. my hubby did this.. when she slept l slept .. day or night.
BF babies don't have routines.

[Pearlg]

@Reb1986 thank you for your reply & kind words I really appreciate it.

I'm feeling a good bit better thanks, I've co-slept another 2 more nights so have got more sleep than I have in weeks, & the pain in my neck has eased.

Prior to this DS could have gone 4-5hrs straight, quick feed then back down for same again so past few weeks have been a shock!

I'm having counselling at the minute for health anxiety centred around the children & co-sleeping worries me re over heating / suffocating etc so it's trying to manage that & get sleep - co-sleeping is not something I've ever wanted to do!!

@PutOnYourRedShoesAndLetsDance

2 years breastfeeding is amazing, well done. You are correct is full on & there is no routine, sometimes I need reminded of this. DH does help me massively with baby but at the minute he's helping me more mentally get through this as I'm finding it so tough!

[Reb1986]

Pearl, I am so glad that you have been able to get some help. I think these thoughts are so natural, and working through them with someone will be brilliant.

For what it’s worth, I wake up almost every night convinced that I have lost my son in the covers feeding him, but there he is safely in his bed where I put him! Definitely you’re not alone.

I’ll be thinking of you! Keep going! It will get easier!

[Pearlg]

@Reb1986 thank you, it helps me to think when I'm feeling low in the middle of the night there are others out there doing night feeds & going through the same thing. I think sleep deprivation sometimes sends my mind to funny places & I spiral.

Hopefully this stage passes soon & decent sleep returns!

[AngSey]

I have a 5 month old and we had about two weeks of really terrible sleep before it reverted to exactly how it was before. We also co-slept during that time as there was no other way.

[Pearlg]

@AngSey that's reassuring to hear, I think we are 3 weeks in now and no change whatsoever. He actually fell asleep himself on my bed last night. As soon as we transferred him over to his cot instantly woke up, its soul destroying at times.

I take it your LO went back to their own bed okay? & you just kept trying them in it? I'm just worried this is me now until he's 3 and a half!!!!