The sleeping subject at 5 months old . . .

Logan - posted on 02/14/2010

what i did was try to make her active and get out doing things that wouldnt allow her to sleep all day so when he came bedtime, she was ready. My girl has been eating baby food as wel since she was about 3 months. the more they eat during the day the more it will hold them over the night. i also give her a warm bath about an hour before its time for bed. if my girl does wake up at night which is really rare, i just stick her suckie/nookie/passie whatever you call it, in her mouth and she falls right back to sleep. if you take your baby out of bed when he/she wakes up they begin to think its natural that if they cry, you will come and take them out. try to avoid that :)

Caron - posted on 02/14/2010

hello tessa well as for the sleeping thing every baby is very different some need sleep some dont i have 3 my 8 year old didnt sleep well for nealy a year and a half but slleps like alog now my 2 year old has only just started to sleep properly and my 5 mth old is sleeping all nit e from 3 days old and i did nothing different with them all they routine extra feeds no naps extra naps nappy cahnges bigger nappies at night no sugar storytime relax time you n ame it trial and error and luck is wat it comes down to take advice from whoever and wereever you can and something will eventually click it all just takes time. good luck

Tessa - posted on 02/10/2010

Thank you all for your comments and suggestions. I have been seriously looking into the CIO (cry it out) method. Talking to Doctors and Professors recently they all agree on; all babies are different, individual, they are born as such. If you have a child who is settled and sleeps through the night, yes you will get your z's. But do not think there is something wrong with your child if they wake up as often as every 2 hours, there are many reasons as to why a child may 'seem' unsettled; hunger, wanting a cuddle, wind, cold etc. They also suggest the CIO method is a very outdated practise, there is conclusive evidence of it creating imbalanced children, who then grow into adults with emotional problems. The research has been running for over 3 decades now.
Personally I do not want this method for my child at this early age. But I think more research is needed.

So now, she has dinner, bathtime, story, cuddle, bed. She's winded well, she has a warm bottle and nappy changed. Sometimes she sleeps for over 4 hours and wakes up only 3 times a night, others every 2 hours. Either way, I'm doing my best and that will have to do.

Angela - posted on 02/08/2010

Hi there my 5 month old is sleeping from 7pm - 7am and has been from 4 months old. We have a really strict bedtime routine which consists of a bottle at 5.30pm, his dinner at 6pm, bath, story, bed. we have been doing this routine from the day he was bought home from the hospital (less the dinner which has only been in recently). I read the book called The Baby Whisperer which really, really helped me get him in to this routine. Also I am not sure which country you are in, but I also went to sleep school for the week - HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT! I went when he was 3 months old & sure enough by 4 months we had all this spare time. So, if you have access to a sleep school - definitely go along its awesome :-)

Jackie - posted on 02/07/2010

my little guy is the same way, he goes down at 8 with a nursing, wakes at 10:30 because he's uncomfy, 12 for a nursing, 2:30 for a diaper 4 for a nursing, 5 because he's cold, 6 because he's hot and 7 when he stays awake, he used to only nap for 30 minutes and still does occasionally but hes moved to napping for 2 hours every 2-3 hours. Mine has acid reflux and torticollis so I know this has a lot to do with it but man am I one tired mamma, not to mention my 3 y/o DD wakes at 4:30 because the boiler for our in-floor heat has kicked on and scares her so DH deals with her and I deal with DS. Soooo frustrating and tiring!

Alexis - posted on 02/02/2010

My son has been sleeping through the night since he was 1 month (5 months now). He does however, wake up multiple times through the night to eat when he goes through growth spurts.

Jessica - posted on 02/01/2010

at the time my little girl has her nights and days mixed up...she will sleep through the night if she was on track because she did before she got sick earlier this month...she was still waking 1 or 2 times a night so at 3 months i started putting cereal in her bottle at night and giving her more at one time so her stomach was full for a longer period of time...she started sleeping all night right away...until she got sick here recently and that messed her up again but we are working on it and getting her back on track

Catlin - posted on 02/01/2010

OK, I'm not trying to piss anyone off, but... there is research against the CIO method. The AAP is against the use of Babywise.
http://www.ezzo.info/Aney/aneyaap.html
http://www.askdrsears.com/html/10/handou...
http://www.mothering.com/discussions/sho...
Now, why is it so important for a baby to be sleeping through the night?? I'm not understanding. (My daughter is almost 6 months old, she still wakes up 3-4 times a night to eat and cuddle. I don't mind at all, it's my special time with her. During the day she is either with my mom while I work or at home surrounded by 2 dogs, daddy, and her crazy 5 year old brother! At night I get to sit in the quiet, listen to her eating and "humming", cuddle with her, and all without distractions.)

Of all the things that moms strive for, this one seems to be the most important. I say enjoy your night time feedings! Have dad get up with the baby first thing in the morning after eating so you can catch a little extra sleep, lay down once baby falls asleep at night ( the laundry will still be there tomorrow), enjoy it while you can it won't last forever

Stacey - posted on 02/01/2010

My 5 and a half month old starting sleeping through the night at about 6 weeks without getting up to eat at all. Then at 4 months he wouldn't sleep. Most nights he wouldn't go to bed until 6 am and he wouldn't hardly nap during the day. After a month of this he started sleeping all night again. Now the only time he stays up until 4 am is when I don't give him his cereal at night. When he gets his cereal he goes to bed at about 11 or 12 depending on what time I feed him. Then he sleeps until about 10 or 11 in the morning.

Sara - posted on 02/01/2010

I know it can be tiring to be up with a baby all night. Some helpful info someone passed on to me....Babies are made to be up in the night. One- it is a fail safe method to let you know they are ok. Babies are just tiny people. Would you wake up in the night if you peed your pants? Do you wake up in the night if you cant get comfortable or are thirsty? Just something to keep in mind. I had one who was only up once in the night, one that was up 6 times a night no matter what until he was 2, and my youngest is up about 10pm, 3am, then 6am. They are all different.

Jessica - posted on 02/01/2010

I have just read all of these comments and wow we should all catch up, i havent yet met ANYONE my way who has my problem they all sleep and r bottle feeding, nice to hear I am not alone with breast feeding and sleepless nights....Puts my mind at ease... Cheers gals for cheering me up....

Jessica - posted on 02/01/2010

Hello, I am just letting you know that I have the same drama's as you.....Ur not alone AT ALL.....Everything you wrote is EXACTLY the same as us and we are 2nd time parents. I have tried letting her cry I have tried everything also, with my son i went to sleep school 3 times and still no luck, some babies just arent sleepers I figure well thats what is helping me get through it again. And no 2 babies comment is a lie cause I am soooooooooo going through it again right now!!!! My son who is 4 yo just slept through recently and my daughter 5 months wakes at least 3 times or more still also, I am breastfeeding and have even giving formula thinking that i may not be filling her up, I do not have any answers I wish I did but I do know that u r not alone.....Regards jessica who is hearing your sighs 1am 3am 5am Im with u girl lets cross our fingers and pray for sleep tonight LOL

Jessica - posted on 01/31/2010

You are definitely not the only one with this problem. My little guy will be 6 months in a few weeks and I was a bit concerned about his sleeping patterns as well. The Doc told me he should be sleeping at least 6 hours straight. Yeah right! He is up every 2 1/1-3 1/2 hours to be fed. Which means I am up with him at least 2-4 times each night, not to mention that I am still breastfeeding. I've tried a bottle with formula, but even that doesn't help. Don't worry and don't give up! Us moms are in this together, here for support and advice. I am sure when your baby (and mine) are ready, they will sleep ALL night!! Good luck!

Kristy - posted on 01/31/2010

im sorry but im unable to help as my 5 month old has been sleeping through the night since he was 2 weeks old, but prehaps ur little one hasn't gotten rid of all her wind befor settling down for the night, sorry i cant help you out anymore than that

Sarah - posted on 01/31/2010

I'm encouraged. My son just turned 5 months, and he's no where near sleeping through the night. I was up at 2am crying with him, because I was just so frustrated. I've tried it all, routine, bedtime, cluster feeding, cry it out, family bed/co sleeping, putting him in his own bed, etc. we're not going to start solids until 6 months, and my doctor said that won't make much of a difference. i don't have much advice, but know that i'm right there with you, sleepy, exhausted, and no clue what to do!!!!!!!!!!

Brittany - posted on 01/31/2010

My son wakes up 5 to 6 times a night. He is not hungry I just have to put his paci back in or sometime change his diaper. It is so frustrating I AGREE!! I wish I could help you but I have had not luck either.

Sarah - posted on 01/31/2010

We have a bedtime routine and I think that really helps. My 5.5 month old still wakes one to three times a night but is doing much better than the every 2 hours it was for a long time. He has been on solid for about a month now. We had to move him into his room before he started sleeping better. In our room he would wake at every little sound and once we moved him into his room we both sleep so much better. I also dont run to him at every little sound. I try to let him fuss/cry himself back to sleep. Sometimes he does and other times he really is hungry so I get up and feed him. Giving water instead also really helps if they just want the comfort and you want to break then of eating so often. You will be able to tell when they are really hungry or just need some love and rocking from mommy. Good luck!

Marina - posted on 01/31/2010

So relieved to know that it is not only mine that does not sleep through the night! Mine gets up every 2-sometimes 4 hours. He is so hungry, teething, restless, clingy, etc., depending on the night. We did start rice cereal solids in the evening and I have been adding 1/2 tsp. to a mid-morning bottle and an evening bottle and he does seem more satisfied, but not sleeping better...Obviously, I don't have the answer or my husband and I wouldn't be so exhausted, but at least we know we are not alone....stay strong and hang in there!

Kay - posted on 01/30/2010

OMG!! I am on child number 3 ( 3 under 3 1/2) I think to a certain extent you get what you get!! However you can help yourslef out as much a possible. Good routine so baby knows it is time to sleep. Full tummies I feed weetbix and bottle (followed by breast). If you are busy as I am your milk quality( thickness) may be low and not as filling so baby will get up for more....every decreasing circles!! When my boy gets up, he doesn't leave the room. Dark and quiet and staright back in bed...he won't self sooth so only pop him in bed once asleep. Also found that he WILL NOT sleep on his back, and if I don't put him down on his front he wakes straight back up!! Like him mum....good Luck with the sleep!! Try to get you head down in the day when he sleeps xx

Kira - posted on 01/30/2010

I am sure glad to know that i am not the only one and that my daughter is normal. Because she is 5 months old and is still waking up 2 to 3 times a night to feed! very tried!!

Mindy - posted on 01/30/2010

Omg, first so sorry to here that your daughter is keeping you up but I am glad that I am not the only one in that boat. My daughter will be 6 months mid febuary and she is not sleeping through the night either. She gets up every 2 hours or so. I am exhausted as well. I am nursing and talked with the dr about it, and she said at this age my daughter should be going 4-6 hours at night w/out eating. She told me to have my hubby help out and try and get her back to sleep. When you feed her are you in a dark room and not talking? My dr suggested that I feed her in dark quiet room with maybe a dim light and do not talk or anything and than put her back down to sleep once done feeding her. The only problem is that my daughter will eat sometimes for 5 minutes and than I lay back down and than fifteen minutes later she will want more and we end up being up for an hour at at time. I tried cereal with my daughter too and she would not take it. She is a boobie girl and does not want anything else. I am scared when she turns 6 months I will have a hard time starting other foods with her. Good luck and if you need anything I am here. :)

Lindsey - posted on 01/30/2010

i dont have a cure, but my 5 1/2 old waked up once at night to feed and then again about 4 or in the morning and stays up anywhere till 7 to 10. i know they say routine is a must but its hard when you got grandparents strung all over the place who only get to see her once a week. just letting you know from one exhausted mom to another i feel your pain n your not alone

Keysha - posted on 01/30/2010

We did a lot of travelling and this messed up my daughters sleeping schedule. But when we got home I stuck to a routine and started giving her cereal before bed. I found this helped. But I know babies that are 12 months and still don't sleep through the night. Good Luck

Helen - posted on 01/29/2010

My son is 5 months today and he gets up 3-4 times a night sometimes we kinda have a schedule he is usually asleep by 9:30 then wakes up at 12, 3, between 5-6 and then sometimes at 7 just to eat alittle then he goes back to bed usually the 5-6 feeding is alittle longer but we have tried different things to help sleep. the past 3 nights he has been stayin up to almost 12 after his 9:30 feeding not going to sleep and he still wakes up 2-3 time and he is up by 8 every morning no matter what, so just hang in there but a bath before bed helps and using the bed time body wash helps alot too. Good Luck!!!

Vernyeica - posted on 01/27/2010

My 5 month old sleeps during the day & be up all night. I have asked my parents for help & they told me not to let him sleep during the day long. So I have started to wake him up when hes napping. Now I hope he will get the hang of it soon

Andrea - posted on 01/26/2010

Maybe she is getting ready to be weaned? My son is 5months and 4 days and I have started to wean him, as he started to wake up once or twice during the night, this can be a sign that they are getting hungrier and they would have to drink too much milk to satisfy their appetite. If she has always woken up during the night, then she is probably just a hungry baby! Unfortunately some babys are just more hungrier than others and not as good at sleeping!! xx

Tabitha - posted on 01/26/2010

My daughter has slept atleast 5-6 hours since 1 month. Since 3 onths she has slept 7-9 hrs on average every night. I noticed at her 4 month she started to wake up 3-4 hoursa after her bed time, wanting food. I use to put rice cereal in her bottle to help her sleep better through the niht and STILL do at times when she is teething bad especially. My doctor told me OTto cause she needs to build the muscles in her cheeks which is correct but I feed her food 2 times a day veggies and rice cereal mixed with fruit let her finish it off with 2 oz of bottle SHES SOOO MUCH HAPPIER. She lets me know what she wants and doesnt want. As well as lets me know when she is full. I hope I was some help :)

Dalia - posted on 01/25/2010

I'm having the same problem with my baby. I'm breastfeeding and sometimes I think that maybe because of that he wakes up 2 or 3 times every night. Some people is telling me that I should leave him cry but I don't think is ok to do that.

Laura - posted on 01/25/2010

THomas used to wake up at 2am until we started waiting to see if he'll put himself back to sleep or not. It worked and after 4 days he slept right through until 6am. I read that babies will only wake if there is a promise of food and so once you take that away its not worth them waking up. I feed thomas every 2 hours in the afternooon so that he's really full.

Tara - posted on 01/25/2010

My little guy is breastfed, but has only been waking up once to twice a night for a couple of months now. He gets tired so early and goes to bed at 6 pm. Usually he gets up around 12:30, and maybe around 4. He wakes up about 7 am.

Nicole - posted on 01/25/2010

My Daughter she is going on 5 the 27th. she sleeps from 10:30 or 11:30 to 8:30 to 10 the next morning. When i put her to bed i lay down with her just after she has had a bottle and she will play next to me on the bed. after a little bit she closes her eyes and falls asleep and when she is in a dead sleep i pick her up and put her to bed.

Laura - posted on 01/25/2010

my daughter is nearly 6mth old, she was sleeping through until bout 6 weeks ago! she wakes about 2-3 times for a feed. my health nurse said it was nothing to worry about! i breast feed, so i thought she might not be getting enough for her last feed, so i give her a expressed bottle at night for the last feed, the last couple of nights and shes only woken once. i know how you feel. maybe that would help a little.

Marian - posted on 01/24/2010

same with me girl! everyday I go to bed wishing she only wake up once.. but every night my lil girl wake up at least 3 times when Im lucky. Hope I can have the answer, Im really tired.

Lieselot - posted on 01/24/2010

Fortunatly my son already sleeps through the night. In general, you are lucky if your child sleeps through when he/she is under the age of 1 year. And some have said it already, a bed routine is important. Soft light, little noise, a bed song, etc. lets your child know that it is bed time.
Good luck!

Teresa - posted on 01/24/2010

Every baby is different. Through the night doesn't mean 8 hours, either. It usually is four to six. Which is still way good! Try to get your baby on a schedule at night my daughter has an 8:30 bath, then I nurse her and put her down by 9. She wakes at about 10:30 just needs to be rocked then usually sleeps til 3:30 or 4, then sleeps til 7 or 8. It's hard to start the schedule but you just have to be persistent. Also I've heard you can expose your baby to indirect sunlight as much as possible during the day.

Simone - posted on 01/24/2010

hi, my baby's the same age and some nights she will sleep through the night but most of the time she'll wake up at least once. i sleep really good even when she does wake up. my problem is getting her on bottles thats my next thing now.

Robin - posted on 01/24/2010

My son used to wake up twice a night when he was 3 months old. His last bottle would be at 10 or 10:30 pm. He would wake up at 1 am and then at 3 am. I started substituting his 1 am bottle with warm water and did this for a few nights. At some point he stopped waking up for that feeding. Thats when i started doing it with his 3 am feeding and the same thing happened. He is 5 months now and hasn't woken up in the night ever since i did the water substitution. He sleeps from around 10:30pm till 7 am. Hope this helps and good luck.

Susan - posted on 01/23/2010

Every baby is different, so don't feel left out, and shouldn't feel that your baby is the only one waking up through the night. You must be exhausted though. Babies generally get teeth around now and even if they don't have a temp they can still be experiencing pain. Their little gums are red. Wondering if you have tried baby panadol? Make sure your baby has had a restful evening - not too much excitement and a soothing warm bath, then feed, settle and bed. You should have them in bed by 7.30pm. My key to babies is a regular routine. Don't feed again till at least 2am, then over a matter of a couple of weeks drag that time out till you have them ready for another feed at 5 or 6am. Try to get some sleep during the day (easier said than done I know) but you will be able to cope with the broken sleep a little better and with more calmness too. When you put your baby down always make sure you have burped them well. If they don't settle right away, pick the baby up after a minute or so and pat their back and rub. I like to ask the baby to do some burps (I tell myself this will make it easier). Whatever works... right?

Jessica - posted on 01/22/2010

My mother told me it is ok to let them cry a litte bit at this age. I dont relly have it in me depending on the cry though. I have started a schedule with him try this and see if it works. No late day naps as in if he doesnt fall asleep for his last nap by 4 than he is out of a nap and i jump through hoops to keep him awake and occupied till about 8 than i give him some baby food ( he eats the whole 1st foods jar!!) give him a nice bath get him lotioned, diapered dressed and give him some breast milk hoping for about 9:00 or 930 bed time and some nights he stays till about 530 or he wakes up once around midnight i feed him in the dark in his room so he doesnt try to look around and put him right back down. If he wakes up again i try to just rock him real quick and if he just wants to play i lay him down and let him wine a little until he drifts off.

Joy - posted on 01/22/2010

Actually, Babywise isn't clear at all and contradicts itself. Pediatricians and the AAP do not recommend the book for parenting. Many of the facts and studies in the book are not backed up by scientific evidence. There are several online reviews about the book as well as it is controversial. For some people it seems to work (like the one woman at church who gave it to me and raised 5 kids on it), but others have read it and it doesn't for their children.

Stephanie - posted on 01/22/2010

My daughter who is now 5 months used to sleep for 13 hours at night and now has reverted to night feeding 3 to 4 times a day keep being told it's a growth spurt

Nicole - posted on 01/22/2010

My son is almost 6 months now and he still wakes 2 or 3 times a night for a (breast) feed. Sometimes I wonder if it is needed or if it's just a comfort thing for him. He never has any trouble going to sleep day or night and self settles, so I can't understand why he can't get back to sleep during the night. Maybe he is really hungry. I have only just started him on solids so will give him a little time to get used to that before trying to make him sleep longer at night. My daughter (now 2.5) used to wake once a night for a feed until she was 11 months old. I hope this one gives it up before then!!!

Miranda - posted on 01/22/2010

I love Babywise. People get a misconception of it because they think you just let your baby cry and cry. The book clearly states to check to see if you baby has any other problems before letting your baby cry. You also soothe your baby after 10-20 minutes by patting there back or picking them up and holding them to calm them down. Also, from what I read it just basically wants an eat, wake, then nap schedule. Doesn't have to be 3-4 hours. It does say to listen to your baby's cues as well.

Joy - posted on 01/22/2010

I read Babywise too. I tried it for about a month or two, but then realized that I'd rather my children know I'll come when they're in distress and to learn to listen to what my baby tells me is going on in her world. My family's also not very good at keeping to one schedule for very long given my and my husband's personalities and our jobs. Although I'm no longer using as precise a schedule as Babywise recommends, my daughter will still tend to go between 3-4 hours between feeding.

Cecily - posted on 01/22/2010

She may be going thru a growth spirt. My little one is 5 months and sleeps for 7-9 hour stretches but once and a while will wake up to eat for a few nights in a row I just chalk it up to growth spirts. I did read the book Baby Wise... that was a great help. Sometimes she wakes up during the night and just plays and talks then puts herself back to sleep. I loved the book and my sister who has 4 kids used the tricks for each of her kids and they all are great sleepers and nappers too!

Nicole - posted on 01/22/2010

My daughter turned 5 months on the 20th of this month. She still wakes up 2 - 3 times per night on average and sometimes more. I'm not sure if she just wants a bottle or if she wants me. I think she might be going through separation anxiety already. I work full time and I just went back to work 1-1/2 months ago. When I'm home with her she cries until I pick her up. I am going to try the CIO method with checking and console when she turns 6 months old. I need more sleep. I have to get up for work at 5:45 a.m. and it doesn't help that I'm up 3 times before then. So I feel your pain.

Gemma - posted on 01/22/2010

my little girl is the same she gose 2 bed at 8pm 3times all more she will wake up then she wakes at 6am nd will not go back 2 sleep

Kendall - posted on 01/22/2010

We use a kiddopatamus sleep sack (LIFESAVER!), make sure he's not being woken by the heat coming on, turn on a white noise machine right by his crib and if he does stir, give him a paci. He eats 5x per day and I cluster feed him at 7pm and 9pm right before he goes to bed. He ends up down around 10pm and wakes up about 8:30am. He's been sleeping through the night since about 10 weeks. I do have mom friends whose babies do not make it all night. I think each baby is different. Some also seem to go to bed much earlier and I think that makes it a bit harder to make it 'til morning. My son weighs ~16lbs and is 5 mos old. He is breast fed only. Hope that helps. Best of luck.

Joy - posted on 01/22/2010

I also have this problem. You're not alone. Sometimes my girl will sleep through the night, sometimes she won't. It depends on her activity level during the day & if there's changes to her routine. I read it can take up to a year for babies to settle so I'm not worried.

JAMIE - posted on 01/21/2010

my baby wakes up in the middle of the night if only i dont feed him rice cereal and peaches before bed. try to limit ric cereal for the first time since it constipates them and its harder for them to digest. i would alos recommend a warm bath before the rice cereal it calms the baby down completely. I never let my baby cry themself to sleep EVER. I heard once it stresses the baby out and from then on i never let him cry and today he is the happiest baby ever. rarely any fussiness. sometimes i read to my baby before bed even though hes an infant he still can process things. its good for alittle play time before bed so they get tired and restless and want to sleep soon. i do leg exercises to him so , a- he gets exercise and b- he gets tired. so this is my pattern every night ( and it works) i play with him and do exercises wiht his lega and arms so he gets tired, then a warm bath, then i feed him rice cereal and peaches followed by a book and by reading to him it soothes him. try it it works like a charm! :)