8 month old help to re-settle in the night!

[fairimum]

DD is just 8 months old, she isnt waking hungry in the night, but wakes crying, although not really awake, if we dont go to her she gets in a total state and makes herself sick, if we go in to try adn settle her it makes little difference - have tried shhhing, patting, music, teddy, muslin, never taken a dummy. So what should we do, will go back to sleep if we pick her up, offer bottle and then shhh pat, leaving her still slightly awake! she goes down fine for naps and at bed time (with same routine) - she has never slept through at all, thinking just waking from habit, but how to break it - tried giving water for about 6 weeks but still woke for it! help???

This might not be what you want to hear but if picking her up, giving her a bottle and soothing her back to sleep works for her then that is what you should do. We can all speculate on what makes our babies wake up but we don't know and ignoring them isn't helpful - as you say - she will make herself sick if you don't go to her. She may be hungry/thirsty/scared or just need some comfort and as mummies we should just meet those needs! They do grow out of it eventually and best thing you can do is respond to her and help her to go back to sleep feeling secure and comforted.

the thing is she refuses the bottle and isnt actually awake! when i pick her up she startles awake and screams harder - we are doing as you say but just wondered if there was another way? I am just getting more adn more tired and making myself ill now i am back to work