Need Help with my nearly 5 month Old - She hates sleep!

[alana555]

Indiana has never really been a great sleeper during the day or night. During the night she used to sleep 2-3 hours and wake for her feed but during the day she would only ever catnap, she would only ever have about three 20-35 minute naps. I was never able to settle her during the day after the catnaps either. And then by the end of the day she was overtired and usually screamed until I was finally able to get her to sleep for the night. She fights sleep like you would not believe.

However the last 2 months have been hell, she started waking more often during the night but was usually easy to settle. It then got worse and worse. She now wakes about 10 times a night!

I was able to get into a sleep school that helped me with a few techniques to help her sleep better and re-setlle herself. Unfortunately the sleep school didnt work and sometimes she even wakes up to 2-3 times in an hour!! She is no longer swaddled however being swaddled never really made a difference anyway. She is now in a sleeping sack. She also has a dummy that is only ever used for bed and naps. The sleep school said it was fine to continue using the dummy as she is using it efficiently.

She is a reflux baby and is on meds (losec) but the sleep school have said that the issue is not reflux it is behavioural. The bizarre thing is I never really rocked or patted her to sleep. Getting her to sleep is not the problem its staying asleep. Its so fustrating because when she is waking all these times during the night I cant feed her every time, so I just have to keep re-settling her until its time to feed.

I just want more than 1-2 hours of solid sleep. God I hope this doesnt last for much longer

Any one else out there with a baby that doesnt want to sleep???

[SpecialPatrolGroup]

I don't have any answers for you, just wanted to offer some .
Just some random things that have occurred to me

• Is the head of her cot elevated at all - the reflux could be causing her some discomfort that the milk soothes
• Is she over tired when she goes to sleep. I find the when I get my DD down in the brief window when she is a just tired enough to go to sleep but not too tired, she sleeps more soundly
• When you go to her, does she get picked up and cuddled each time, or do you just pat her and shush her back to sleep - she might like the cuddles
• Have you tried co-sleeping? It's not for everyone, but she might sleep better close to you.

Good luck, I hope you get a full night sleep soon!

[the girls mum]

• Is the head of her cot elevated at all - the reflux could be causing her some discomfort that the milk soothes
• Is she over tired when she goes to sleep. I find the when I get my DD down in the brief window when she is a just tired enough to go to sleep but not too tired, she sleeps more soundly

I think these 2 are definately worth looking into - esp the first one - I had reflux when really pregnant and I would wake up in the middle of the night gagging on burning hurty refluxy vomit (sorry if TMI) - so maybe elevating the head of the cot might help???

I know how hard it is when bubs wont sleep - my DD was a wake 10 times a night too until about 6 months

[bindy01]

My bubs sounded just like yours. Had reflux, was on Losec, would cry and cry and cry for hours. She wasn't sleeping neither was I. Sleep deprivation is just horrible and you need to look after yourself, as I think frequently mums forget about their own well being.

Anyway here is what I did, take from it what you will, but worked for me.

Elevate the mattress, I but some phone books the cot legs.

I did controlled crying and this was a lifesaver for me! Most of the time she was crying because she was so overtired.

I put her on a reflux formula so it would stay down and keep her full.

I had a bedtime routine and stuck to it like clockwork, so she knew what was going to happen each night - bath, massage, bottle, cuddle time and bed.

I ditched the dummy as this was another thing she would cry for when it fell out, she self soothes by sucking her hand.

As I said this is what I did and it worked for me, it gets better trust me!!

[Clannad]

My DD has reflux & we bought a wedge that she sleeps on - it's a 30 degree angle so she is strapped in. Best product I ever bought (apart from my ergo which also helps DD sleep). Ever since we got it she sleeps soundly at nite. Catnapping during the day is a reflux thing, are u sure it's not the reason?