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615752 tn?1361867986

Baby sleep problems - any advice???

Hi guys,

I'm from June 09 Babies and since hardly anyone comes thought I could try to get some advice from you guys.

My little girl was born June 9th 2009. She was sleeping quite well until about a week ago. She gets really fussy and clingy now when it comes to sleep time. We had a routine and was working and I've tried to re-implement it again and when I put her in bed she gets hysterical. CIO is not an option, she can't self-soothe much. I don't know why it has chainged all of a sudden and she has been waking up frequently nights to nurse and soothe on my nipple (we co-sleep). She could sleep 5-6 hours but now wakes up much more frequently but usually goes back to sleep within 5 mins of being on the breast or after a feed. I used to put her in bed and say good night, music on and she would sleep but now it doesn't work.

Did anyone go through this when their babies where around 6 months of age? Did they get out of it? My MIL and friend of mine think she's teething by observing her. Did anyone have the same probs with their teethings bubs?

Any advice or response would be GREATLY appreciated. I'm practically going nuts here :-(
9 Responses
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615752 tn?1361867986
Controlled crying involves leaving the infant to cry for increasingly longer periods of time before providing comfort e.g. 5 minutes, then 10 minutes, then 15 minutes and so on

The “cry it out” method is where the baby is left alone to cry in the hopes that he or she will eventually stop.
Helpful - 0
94902 tn?1330479667
What is the difference in controlled crying and CIO?
Helpful - 0
572254 tn?1297189358
Alister has only slept through maybe twice since hes been born, aince been weaned and a strict bedtime routine (well as strict as i can be lol) he sleeps so much better, he still breast fed, goes to bed at 6.30pm sometimes he wakes for a feed around 10pm and than sleeps till 7.30am.
its only got better though since a bedtime routine was introduced and like your lo he used to cry so much when we put him down in his cot, but i had to resort to controlled crying and thankfully it worked after 2nights!!
Helpful - 0
615752 tn?1361867986
Thanks guys :-)

I think breastfeed babies are more restless, as since I have posted this question I have spoken to alot of BF mums who have the same problem. Yes the breast is her form of comfort but what I don't understand is the sudden change in that she just doesn't want out routine anymore. I have a routine and am consistent, also during the days she usually takes her naps on time. I'm guessing it will get better with time but letting her wail is not an option.

She is breastfeed on demand but usually drinks every  3 hours which is I guess normal. She eats lunch, so about 3-4 ice cubes worth (I prepare her food) so about half a tub/jar, usually I go on how hungry she is. I will start to introduce some pureed fruit as desert. In the evening she usually eats fruit, e.g. the last few nights was mashed banana and she eats about 1/2 - 3/4 which I think is quite good.

The other recent problem she is also having is turning onto her tummy which has ben waking her up a fair bit. Sometimes she sleeps in that position, most times she is complaining.

I will try all increasing some food intake and remain consistent with the routine. Sometimes it is OK but other times it isn't. I'm guessing it's just a phase she's going through. Poor baby.

Thanks Mums for your input. Much appreciated :-)
Helpful - 0
998387 tn?1257864128
This sounds a little familure :)  My daughter was born May 21 09 she is also bf and a co-sleeper...... the last month she's been doing th same thing.  She is VERY clingy when bed time comes she only wants to be with me, not even giving dad a chance~! At first it was really sweet, then i started thinking maybe something was wrong?  She was only sleeping about an hour before waking up and nursing a few min, back to sleep.... over and over and over.... just restless.  So..... we tried the whole "more solids" and she ended up getting dehydrated and then upset tummy b/c of consitpation.. man we had  amess for a while.  THEN she bit me....  i got an infection and was forced to feed only on one side and pump every couple hours on the other.  She was falling behind on the milk so i cut out the noon solid meal and replaced with just a little snack and a sippy cup of breast milk........... NOW we are on track.  I believe NOW that the restless clingy nights had to do with teething for sure, and definantly a growing spurt in there.  She was so goofed up for about a month.  It's taken MANY sleepless nights and days to get to where we are now but shes much happier.  as are we :)  Not sure what the true cause is, but it does pass in time.   I think all in all it was teething, a growth spurt and just the comotion of the holidays and travel.....  hope things are better for you
Helpful - 0
143123 tn?1274300825
I'm sorry I didn't see this earlier.  Our Reece is a little different.  He prefers to sleep on his tummy and because of this, we kept him in our room until he was well enough to move his head around and stuff because he's our first and I was scared something would happen to him in the middle of the night in his room.  We moved him to his bed in his room at 5 months and he's been sleeping through the night ever since.  Reece is on a schedule he is ready to go to bed between 7:30 and 8:30.  We put Reece to bed and he goes to sleep.  We don't rock him to sleep because we wanted him to know how to soothe himself to sleep.  So, when we see that  he is getting sleepy we lay him in the bed and turn his mobile on and he goes to sleep.  The only time we have a problem and have to go back in and give him a paci or pat his back is when he is teething.  But, we never have to go in more than once.  I also agree, up the solids.  Reece wasn't a breastfed baby, so I don't know much about that, but do know from my SIL that supplementing is usually an option because they just aren't getting enough to eat.  Good luck!
Helpful - 0
562884 tn?1279632334
CIO?? Is that cry it out? I agree that is not an option she is too young for that, the thing is consistancy it really does work, my Addy has been in her nursery in her crib since 2 weeks, she was not breast fed, so that Im not sure of. She went through a spell , still sometimes where she will want to pull herself up and cry, I would just go in and tell her good night, lay her back down and leave the room again. If she gets back up the following time I just lay her down and pat her tummy but not say anything, repeat it as many times as neccessary without speaking, although it might be exhausting she will get it, Addy is now back on track and rarely do I have to go in more than twice. I am very fortunate, I have followed all the "bedtime" rules with her and she does SO well!

I do agree with Mandy, up her solids that might help, and she is at the age of teething, try to stay tough and as much as possible stay with a routine, it may be tough but in the longrun well worth it. Good luck to you!
Helpful - 0
570184 tn?1257544392
I'm afraid I'm no use to you as my baby is nearly 8 months old and has never slept through the night... in fact the longest she has slept is probably 2 hours!  She wakes constantly to be fed and is also breastfed, I think that's breastfed babies, they use the boob as a comfort.  Either that or she is on a growth spurt and needs more food.  My little one is on 3 meals a day now and 2 of them have a desert with them.  So maybe up your solid foods and see if that helps!  Good luck!!
Helpful - 0
615752 tn?1361867986
Any advice?????
Helpful - 0
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