7mths baby - waking more often

[mel_g20]

Developmental stage

Both of my 2 did the same thing. In my opinion they were simply more aware of their surroundings, could roll and were learning to sit, and had not yet learnt to put themselves back to sleep. So it was a developmental stage. They wake up and shout for mum (or dad). Best thing if you can is to try and encourage them back to sleep without nursing, or picking up. Saying that - I did both of those things until they were abit older. Not tough enough I am afraid, but my friends who were willing to use controlled crying or some other technique had more sleep than me.

 

[fennho]

thanks mel
for the life of me, i dont think i will EVER be able to let my baby CIO or any form of controlled crying. I'll do with the sleep deprivation for now. Tat's a mommy's sacrifice.

 

[motherOF2]

Well Mel, when my baby woke up the other night I tried to pat him back to sleep, even gave him his pacifier but he went on wriggling about and screaming refusing to go back to sleep. I think he wanted to play and after spending some time talking to him and finally giving in, gave him the boob !!! He went back to sleep. What a disaster !!!

 

[adahc]

I tried not to pick him upm as someone here suggested but then what do you do when he decided to sit up and hold on to the rail! I can' see him let go of it and lay down all by himself! Any suggestion?

 

[NYCMel]

I tried controlled crying last month and it didn't work. As most of have said, my 7 month year old now crawls up and down his crib and can even stand. He definitely was teething, but occassionally he would have complete outbursts, but still be asleep which leads me to believe he was having some sort of nightmare. I would just pick him up and shush him back to sleep.

I am weak and have failed miserably at any type of crying down techniques. At first, I am very into it, but then by the 3rd night I just cave in....

I figure my son will sleep through the night when he's good and ready - - i hope it's just not when he's 3 years old!

 

[fennho]

OMG, for the past 3 nights, have been having panda eyes. The worst was yesterday night. My gal kept flipping back and forth in her cot. She'd flip and then do push-ups on her hands and she kept trying to sleep again. So i pat her and she went back to sleep only to wake a few mins later. Around midnight, i picked her up and brought her into my bed. She snuggled close to me and slept next to me. But barely 30mins later, she jolted awake and it all went downhill from there. She kept flipping back and forth and crying louder and louder. It's like she wants to sleep but her body got a mind of its own, jus flipping over and over and she got so frustrated. Her butt jus kept arching up like she wants to get on all fours. I'm guessing she's trying to sit up on her own (she still hasnt learn this yet altho she can sit pretty well now if we lift her up). Or maybe she's trying to crawl?

I dunno...all i know is finally, she only went to sleep if i carry her in MY arms. Once i lay her down, she'd be flipping and crying again. Even if i attempt to nurse her. But she'd calmed and go to sleep in my arms without even nursing. By then it's almost 3-4am, and i can only sleep sitting up. Only aft she's in REALLY DEEP sleep, that i manage to put her down and get some sleep of my own.

Can anyone tell me what's going on? I really hope it's not going to happen again...
:thanks

 

[carang]

it sounds to me like your girl is in some serious discomfort. she probably has some teeth coming out. my girl was/is always a nightmare for a couple of weeks before her teeth erupt, then she settles down and is back to normal.

 

[LeahH]

Maybe try some baby panadol or baby ibuprofen to see if pain is the issue? If it's difficult getting her to swallow the liquid, you can get suppositories prescribed by her doc that are ok for a young baby. When they are really in pain it can be better to use these as they don't want anything near their mouths (maybe that's the reason she doesn't want to nurse??).

 

[fennho]

thanks carang/LeahH
My fren also suggested it might be pain related to either teething or she even said her baby once cried painfully due to constipation! Anyone of u had this experience? Can a baby be in pain due to constipation?

Also, if it's teething, when do i know when to feed her baby panadol/ibuprofen/tylenol if she's not running a fever? I'm not sure if it's really teething, cos there was a point in time where she cried herself to full wakefulness (before that she was half sleep/half awake), and then she wasnt crying anymore as long as i carry her in my arms. If it's teething, she would be in discomfort either way rite?

She already have 2 of her bottom front tooth out by half, will this continue to cause pain as it continue to sprout? I dont see anything on her upper gum though.

Leah
She didnt refuse nursing, jus didnt root for it. I didnt offer anymore (after the first round where i know she had her fill and it's not hunger anymore) cos she was lying in my arms contentedly but will kick up a fuss by twisting and flipping around her body and crying miserably when i put her down.

Jus now tried putting her to sleep, nursed and fell asleep promptly within 15mins. Her arms are all limp and i tot she's in deep sleep, tried putting her down into the cot, and she quickly wake up, and WAILED! Struggled in the cot, so i picked her up and again she fell asleep in my arms. This repeated for 5times, and at times i can see she was crying with her eyes close. Poor gal, obviously tired. Now i'm wondering if it's separation anxiety? But she's wailing like she's in pain! HELP!

Comments again pls?

 

[carang]

she can be teething and you NOT see it. the teeth don't just spring up out of no where, they can take weeks or even a month to cut.

she stops/slows down the crying because you are comforting her. if she sounds like she's in pain, try a little panadol. it won't kill her and it might ease the pain a little.

fennho... i can tell you something very personal... when i was a child and i was feeling very nauseous, i can remember sitting in front of the toilet and my mother sitting on the side of the bathtub beside me slowly rubbing my back. TO THIS DAY i hate to get sick without my mum there to comfort me. she couldn't take away the discomfort, but she DID help, just her touch. i've talked about this with my younger brother and he has EXACTLY the same memories and the same feelings about it.

it seems to me that your baby is looking for comfort and by picking her up and carrying her, you are providing that. she truly sounds like she is in genuine discomfort and if a little panadol might help, then give it a go!

it is unlikely that it is separation anxiety as such, it's just that she needs your comfort to help her through her pain.

good luck!