Waking Every Hour!!

[Bubbasuf]

My nearly 5mth old baby generally slept very well at night waking only once maybe twice... now he is going to bed between 7-8pm and generally waking at midnight and then every hour after that.... we have since started him on some solids and a new formula which is thicker to try and combat his regurgitation problem... and also wondered if he might be teething... the new formula & solids were both after the night waking started... im not also trying to get him off to sleep without his dummy incase this is the reason that he is waking...im not sure how long i should let him cry for... or how to re-settle him in his cot when he wakes... patting and forehead rubbing only makes him more upset.... does ANYONe have any suggestions?? do u think 2 weeks of this its time for sleep school?

[TLCC]

Hi bubbasuf,

I'm sorry to hear you are having so many problems with your little one.:hugs:

It could be a few things. Cold certainly does it. Try a heater and see if that helps. Taking the dummy away could be it too. I know its a case of go in and have to put it back in or have them screaming because its not there..either option isn't great. Maybe you could help him find his thumb to self settle.

Its up to you how long you let them cry for - if you think he's just cranky you can let them go longer than if they seem genuinely distressed.

Is he looking for food at the midnight waking, but falling asleep again only to keep waking looking for food. Are his day sleeps okay.

You can try pick up and put down if your up for it. Pick them up, cuddle if they stop crying and settle put them down again. You stay in the room with them until they are drifting off to sleep and then hopefully you can leave. Can take and hour or so at least the first night or two but generally works pretty quickly if your consistant. You can talk to them calming words etc ie time for bed, have a good sleep, just relax etc.

Sorry this seems a bit long winded. Hope its of some help.

[wild at heart]

about two- three weeks ago our baby boy (6 mths today) was having same issue. taking away dummy worked well with the constant waking but he wakes up to be fed either 10am and 2am or sometimes just 2am. he is down for bed about 6pm. i don't know how to settle him without feeding as we have the same prob of agitating more if we try shhhh/ patting/ talking/ playing musical toy etc.

i have routine sheet from private sleep clinic who suggest that you settle without feeding from around 4mnths but i have no idea what you are supposed to do (esp when whole house is awake!!!).

my advice with dummy is to take away and not return so bubby is not confused. within a week bubby will not want it. even if still unsettled you have eliminated one of the sleep issues and you don't have to worry about getting rid of dummy later down the track.