Suddenly waking three times a night

[Bronte'sMum]

Hi everyone

Our eight month old girl slept through the night from 6pm to 6am until the age of six months . Since then it has gradually deteriorated and in the last week she has begun waking 2-3 times a night and wakes up at 5am ish to start the day. She is generally easy to resettle each times she wakes- I resist giving her a bottle unless she is looking hungry and generally just tuck her in firmly and shoosh her. I am really at a loss as to understand why she is waking so frequently - I do wonder if it is maybe hunger driven as she does take over 200 mls when i do 'give in' and feed her.

The strategies i have been using so far are to try to increase her feeds during the day, to return to a late night feed, to resettle her without giving her a bottle and to wrap her firmly in her sheets ( she does wriggle out though). Her day sleep are fine with two of one hour duration each. Both day and night she is no trouble to settle to sleep ( takes 5 minutes tops) . Its just getting her to saty asleep! Or wake only once ( this would be heaven...)

Any thoughts would be very much appreciated!

Bronte's Mum

Ps No sign of any teeth as yet. Could the loss of appetite during the day be an indicator?

[SugarBlossom]

Hi Brontesmum,
My two month old has just this week, started to wake up 4-5 times a nite!! And no sleep during the day!
The sleep deprevation is starting to drive me mad....... :eek:

[mariafresnel]

Hello Bronte's mum!

I'm Sophia's mum, she's 11.5 months old. She did the same as yours, and if you go to the 'sleep' section (where your post was) and look at (I think) resettling 11month old, my technique (with the wrap so she doesn't wiggle out) is there for you....if youc an't find it let me know, as I really want to help you, as I know that's it's possible to fix....you're doing everything great...feeds etc....at 8 months even though you can't see teeth, that doesn't mean the pain might not be related. I'm not sure if you know, I read that it's at night time when the child is asleep and most relaxed that the bones of the teeth move, and therefore cause the pain......you could try Panadol suppositories (with lots of vaseline) if you think she is in pain, not to mention really tired. ALso Brauer (homeopathic remedies from the chemist) make an 'calm' remedy...they basically stimulate the body to release their natural juices...and the calm one helps with insomnia....it's all natural and wont harm your bub....ok, my email is mariafresnel@yahoo.com.au if youc an't find my answer to michelle with the 11 month....

speak with you soon
Maria

[mariafresnel]

Bronte's mum....sorry, I forgot to mention that loss of apetite is a sign of teething. I also forgot to mention that sometimes the gums are simply very itchy for our children when is irritating and uncomfortable. The other thing I have put in SOphia's mouth which has stopped her from crying(maybe soothes the pain?) is something like bonjela, but this one has two anisethics(can't spell that) so it helps with pain much more effectively than bonjela...it's calle d 'medijel' , not all chemists carry it, but htey can order it. Also brauer make a 'teething tonic' also. If you baby doesn't like medi in a dropper (i.e. spits it out) you could try buying the little medi teat dispensers (mini mini bottle you put hte medication in and the 'independent' baby i.e Sophai can give it to herself)......

[Bronte'sMum]

Thanks for the thoughts... I saw the info re swaddling with the sheet. Do you mean a normal size sheet? Last night she woke 5 times and today i just feel wiped out. She has also refused to eat anything this morning but has taken a bottle. Any thoughts about whether i should give her a day off solids or just keep offering it in case she has a little bit? I am hoping it is something obvious such as teething, though there is no sign as yet!

They're tiring things these babies...but so loveable. When they kick with excitement when they see you all memories of sleepless nights fade away...

Thanks again..any further thoughts, ( or commiserations!!) much appreciated
B's Mum

[jembelina]

I'm inclined to say it very much sound like teething. My DS just popped two more and I had no idea these ones were coming (the last two came complete with a three ring circus :eek: ), but as soon as they did I clicked. We had also has frequent night waking, with no apparent pain and he would drink if offered. Also, went on and off his solids - would sometimes scoff and others seem disinterested. I think the big problem with teething is that it can go on and on; they are not necessariily in pain, but teeth are irritating and wake them; and you never really know till they pop if that's what is going on. So, so frustrating... I wish you luck :)

[mariafresnel]

Bronte is testing you huh!

Ok the sheet is a normal 'flat cot sheet'.

Bronte's off the solids - when Sophia went off them, I could only aportion partly to teething, because I changed what I offered her and she accepted. So I could only come up with 'she was bored with what I gave her day in and day out'. The winner during teething has been little pastina (buy it from italian deli's - Plasmon pasta for babies is the brand) and I boil some water, put a quarter of a vegetable stock cube, some exvirgin oil, and then 3 tbspn of pastina.....it's easier to swallow? Imagine she refused all the food I use to give her i.e. veggies, meat, chicken (all pureed ofcourse), and then I thought 'bugger, she's got to eat', so this is what I've been giving her...I mix a few tblspons of pureed veggies into it (someitmes she notices and spits it out), or an egg yolk (ok for SOphia's age) so that she gets her vitamins...and she loves it with the egg yolk. So I'd say try some other things, just to get her to become interested again...and of course if she doesn't want it she will have her bottle and will eat (when she's hungry and/or when she likes it)....

The other thing is that Bronte is also just as tired as you, maybe that's whey she doens't have a big appetitie. Please try the sheet swaddling, it might not eliminate the night waking, but hopefully minimise to fewere times that you wake. Last nigth I was expecting Sophia to wake up, but there I put her in all her wrapped sheets, top sheets etc, and she went down at 8.30pm and woke at 7am this morning - it was as if she heard my prayers. Michelle, I'm almost positive that it could work for Bronte, but remember, persistence. One thing I remember a midwife telling me is IT TAKES 5 DAYS TO CREATE A HABIT, and 5 DAYS TO BREAK IT! So when I weaned Sophia off her dummy I knew that it would be tough for 5 days....and it was almost the case to the day, and I got rid of her dummy at 5 months as she was waking throughout the night because she lost it, and I was sick of getting up to put it back. Also, it was important that she started to self settle/put to sleep.

ok, i'll check in a little while, if you need any other help.....where do you live? NSW or ?

[Bronte'sMum]

Just a quick reply...
We had a much better night and she only woke once!!! Didn't wriggle out of her bedding. Tried a few things yesterday and these seem to have worked...gave her very mushy bland food yesterday in case her gums were hurting and suddenly her appetite was back!! Also wrapped her well last night hence wasn't able to wriggle, rock, play as she has done previously at 2Am!

I do think there may be some teeth on the way...yesterday she was chewing everything including her fingers, had some diarrhoea and kept chewing the bottle so I guess we will see.

Thank you So much for everyone's suggestions. Mu husband has been away for work the last ten days and it has felt very tiring feeling that I had to get this sleep thing sorted out by myself. Really appreciate evryone's sugestions as they were so helpful.

Until next time...(and I'm sure there will be a next time!!)

Bronte's Mum