Confused - Sleeping issue or teething??

[TinyStar]

:confused:

I'm not quite sure what has come over my 5 month old dd.

She has never been the greatest daytime sleeper, although after a visit 6 weeks ago to our local "family care cottage" we were self settling and having naps of 1 - 1.5 hours during the day.

The last couple of days however we are back to the bad old days. No self settling, no naps longer than 30 mins. when I return to the room to give some comfort (patting susshing etc) and then leave dd screams like I will leave her forever. (obviously I cave in and pick her up)
She will only sleep when totally exhausted, and I "feed her to sleep" On that note I even tried cosleeping (works well at 5am, but not in the afternoon) but still had a struggle.
She is ok in a sling (when I get desparate she is 7 Kg) but not in her pram.

So I know I have a sleeping issue, but do I also have a teething issue???

DD is showing "signs" dribble, chewing etc and she has begun to suck on her lips.
She also is bringing up the tail end of her feed more, and seems more windy.

Any ideas?

[poshBecks]

It might be teeth.... is so hard to know though!!
Try not to give bub mixed messages when settling. stick to what you want to do do & try not to cave in (hard - I KNOW!!). Otherwise she'll learn how to manipulate you. She needs to learn that you are in charge not her!!
It's amazing how young they start to learn that sort of stuff!
I like the self settle thing too. I used to close the door & turn the t.v up so i couldn't hear him crying, then after 10 mins i'd check on him. It's soooo hard to listen to them cry!!
one thing i have learned though is that baby's don't die from crying! :o Although they do sometimes sound like they will!! LOL!

Good luck...

[TinyStar]

:)

Thanks for the support Becky

I think settling seems harder on the weekend as there always seems to be someone else around, who doesn't understand the whole process.

[poshBecks]

no worries tinystar!!

I hope you got through the weekend ok!

[JAK05]

Tinystar - we are going thru the same thing at the moment. DS is just over 5 months - has gone from self-settling to screaming unless fed or nursed to sleep & then doesn't sleep for long. Last night he didn't sleep thru either - woke and wouldn't settle unless fed. I don't know if it is teeth, not getting enough food or what???? So, to cut a long story short - I sympathise with you!!!!

[Bronte'sMum]

Hi Tiny star!

We had a very similar problem with our DD when she was six months. I did lots of posts then! It lasted for about three weeks and I was exhausted. Previously she had been a really good sleeper and didn't require a lot of support to get to sleep. I guess we put it down to a few things...a huge developmental growth spurt where she was suddenly aware of missing Mummy, being really hungry but still not quite liking solids enough to be full, and adjusting to a new room as we had just moved house. Our only solution was to see it through and keep being consistent every time with our settling techniques. I found it hard to let her cry so just gave her lots of cuddles and sometimes just skipped the sleep altogether and went for a long walk.

It was soooo tiring those few weeks but she then snapped back to her normal self suddenly one day.

Will be thinking of you, and hope it settles soon.
:o