Who else has a baby that wakes up 5x a night?

Judy - posted on 08/04/2010

Fair enough if you don't want to use a dummy. My first advice would be to move his cot from your bedroom, he's not going to settle when he can see you there and just wants you to feed him. Otherwise, other than trying to settle him with cuddles etc, the only other option you have in controlled crying. Now I know that term causes a whole lot of anxiety in lots of people, so before you all jump down my throat I'm not saying you have to do it, but it might be your only other option other than having to feed him back to sleep for the next few years. We did it to varying degrees with both our children, neither of whom have psychological issues because of it. I won't go into details, there are lots of places you can find out more, so I'll just leave it up to you do your research.

Jessica - posted on 08/04/2010

I just read Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child. It's got some great information in it, you just have to get past the blah, blah, blah of studies. Unless you like to read about all the studies they've done... My child isn't getting up 5 times a night, but 1-2 times and it's exhausting. Honestly, I found this book to be super informative and helpful. I don't feel like a failure of a mom now for not having my child learn how to "sleep through the night." Good luck.

Tamara - posted on 08/04/2010

Thanks Judy, you comment is much appreciated. Yes at 6m he should not need a feed. I have tried to comfort him without the breast but never works. I don't want to use a dummy. Do you have ideas on how to settle without having to breastfeed.

Judy - posted on 08/04/2010

You probably won't like me for saying this, but to me it sounds like he is comfort feeding in the night, not hungry feeding. He should not need to feed at night at 6months of age. My solution would be to wean him of needing to be suckling to get back to sleep, whether that be using a dummy or what. I have a friend who started off like you, feeding her daughter back to sleep up to 7 times a night, and was still doing it when she was 3! I can't imagine 3 years of broken sleep, I would be going mad. You might not agree with me, and that is fine, but in my opinion he just needs to learn to get back to sleep without your boob. Once they can self settle, you should have your nights back.

Stifler's - posted on 08/03/2010

Ah Shandi I think you're right too, my kid has never slept from 8 to 8 or 7 to 7 for that matter without at least one feed or a top up. He's a fatty they're probably just hungry. If it's painful cry and they don't want a bottle it's probably teething.

Tamara - posted on 08/03/2010

Thankyou everyone for your comments. Wow they sure don't tell you that some babies wont sleep through the night. I didn't think about teething, it probably is that tho so hard to know what is wrong with babies. I tried giving him a bottle last night but wouldn't take it, may try again tonight. So good to know I'm not the only one. My son is also a light-sleeper which isn't fun. I have the t.v. on for background noise but any other noises wakes him up. I will try Bojela tonight, Thanks :)

Shandi - posted on 08/03/2010

And i'm glad to know i'm not alone. I get so tired of hearing people say how their baby sleeps from 8pm to 8am. I am one tired mama 99 percent of the time.

Shandi - posted on 08/03/2010

Try giving him a bottle later in the night when he wakes up because he may be hungry. I know they shouldn't need to eat at night but i really think some just do. My son is almost 13 months and has slept through the night (5 hrs) 3 times! I have gone through all the emotions possible and tried everything. At one point he was waking 8 times a night. Now i have him down to twice a night and he takes a bottle each time and goes right to sleep. Id rather feed him than have to stay up and rock him for an hour. I have learned that i just have to deal with it because i know ive tried everything and he just isn't a good sleeper and will have to grow out of it. Hopefully by the time hes 5 ;)

Amanda - posted on 08/03/2010

My baby just turned 1 and has only slept through the night 6 times. I agree that it could be teething. for the last couple months mine was only getting up once on most nights, but now he has a molar coming in and was up 6 times last night. I don't know that I have much advice to offer but wanted you to know that you are not alone.

Stifler's - posted on 08/03/2010

Mine is like that, it's probably teething. I give him some panadol, slather bonjela on his gums and give him a bottle and he seems to sleep the rest of the night but gets up at 6am.