How can i get my daughter to sleep through the night?

Krystal - posted on 12/09/2009

my 6 year old didn't sleep through the night untill 18 months; and my 6 month old is up every 2 hours. I've tried all the little tricks with both and agree just wait it out ;it will happen eventually and be thankful they are healthy and beautiful. Good luck

Melissa - posted on 12/09/2009

Yeah So I've tried the cereal and bath thing.. and the crying it out thing isn't going to work. People have been telling me it might be because she's teething so i think that may be right. I just saw her first tooth coming through today. I don't want to force her to eat more during the day because a lot of times she doesn't finish her bottle as it is. I guess what Belinda said is the best that i should just let her continue to do it until she's ready to sleep through the night. Another reason is she still takes quite a few naps during the day. I try to keep her awake longer so she'll sleep at night but I don't want to deal with a cranky baby just because I know she doesn't feel good and I want her to be happy.

Erinn - posted on 12/08/2009

Do u give her cereal?

Iysha - posted on 12/08/2009

I thought my daughter was hungry when she woke up once. She would sleep from 8pm-2:30am, eat and wake to our alarm at 5:15. Turns out she just wanted something to suck on. One night I was just too tired and stuck a pacifier in her mouth. That did the trick for a few days then she just stopped waking up. maybe she just wants to suck on something? At 6 months she can just be doing it out of habbit.

Denver - posted on 12/08/2009

I've began bathing my son before bed time, using a soap with a lavender scent (suppose to help with bedtime), and I would get him really exhausted. I didn't have to up the amount of formula for him before bed time. Also look at how often your daughter's eating. My son didn't sleep through the night until he began eating every 4-5 hours. When he ate every 3 hours, he was hungry every 3 hours all day/night long, right on the dot. I read your first reply, and I would definitely try feeding her more formula during the day. Extend her feeding times if need be. She may scream during that hour that you're extending her feeding time (like switching from 3 hours to 4), but that habit won't last for long. One trick I've learned in knowing how much I should be feeding my son throughout the day is to take his current weight, times it by 2.6 and divide that by 5 or how many times he eats throughout the day. That will tell you approx. how many oz. per feeding your daughter should be eating. Sometimes it's not always accurate, and if it's a big change, work your way up to it. If she spits up a lot, then you're obviously feeding her too much. I hope I've helped in some way, and good luck!

Andrea - posted on 12/08/2009

I just got the book called the "No Cry Sleep Solution". It's got a lot of common sense solutions in it that don't involve making your baby scream and cry for you, like the "Cry it Out" method.

Belinda - posted on 12/08/2009

Learning to sleep, espcecially learning to sleep through the night, is like any other skill a baby learns. All babies are ready to do it at different times. In my opinion, there is nothing safe and 'negative consequence' free, that you can do to force your baby to sleep longer. She will do it when she is ready. Some babies roll, sit, talk and walk early and some late. The same goes for sleeping. You can do some gentle, caring things (eg, betime routine, sleepy time cues etc) to encourage your baby to sleep but I don't think you can force it. When it gets tough, ask yourself some simple questions: Where do I see my babies sleeping in 2-3 years time (the answer will be sleeping through), Do I want to do anything I will regret later (CIO - no!). It's a hard one. I should know I have a two year old that can wake anywhere from none to 4 or five times a night and a 4 month old who is feeding every hour and a half. Hang in there. It's not forever. Just let our babies be babies and grow into these milestones when they are ready.

Melissa - posted on 12/08/2009

i try to just give her the pacifier and she'll still cry with it in her mouth and she gets real excited when she sees the bottle she gulps it down like she's really hungry.. she eats like 4 ounces when she wakes up.. but she eats baby food 3 times a day and bottles in between but she's never drank much milk when i see most babies drinking almost a full bottle at her age she has smaller more frequent meals only 3 oz. usually during the day.

Melissa - posted on 12/08/2009

I would try more food throughout the day. My son is 9 months now he started sleeping through the night at 4-5 months but that didn't last. When he reached 8 months he quit. Which I've found he has a growing appetite. I give plenty of water, fruits & veggies, and snacks throughout the day. I've heard that if you continually wake up at night with them that it turns into a habit rather than a true need for food. We try to let my son cry it out or comfort him with his pacifier or rubbing his back.

Lianne - posted on 12/08/2009

have u tried just giving her a little drink of water she may just b thirsty,

wot does she do if u dont give her anything during the nite ??

my daughter is 21 months and still doesnt sleep thro the nite!! but she doesnt want milk she jus plays/scream/crys!!