- Pregnancy
- Baby & Toddler
- Parents
- Getting Pregnant
- Baby Names
- Product Reviews
-
Registry
- Community
-
More
Want a personalized experience?
Download the free app
D.C. Area Babies
WHAT is going on??
My son still will not STTN, even after 2 weeks of following the methods in HSHHC. I couldn't take the crying anymore, so I've been going into his room again when he wakes. I don't know what to do anymore.
We have a bedtime routine routine that we follow every night (bath, books, nurse, bed). He has a lovey and a seahorse that plays music and we have room darkening shades in his room. I put him in his crib awake and he falls asleep on his own w/o crying. He wakes up anywhere from 2-6 times a night crying. I used to let him CIO, which was just torture, but he got even more upset if I went in and tried to soothe him. Things got better; he was only waking about twice a night, but he was still waking.
The past 4-5 nights, he's been waking more frequently and instead of just crying, he is screaming. It sounds like he's being tortured, it's just awful! I thought maybe he was teething or going through a growth spurt, but I don't think that's the case. I just cannot listen to his blood-curdling scream, so I've been going in to nurse him. That always worked before, whether he ate or just comfort sucked, and he'd go back to sleep after about 15 min. But now, he latches on and sucks a few minutes, then pulls off screaming. I switch sides and he does the same thing. I can't seem to calm him down. So I switch back and forth about 6 times or so and finally manage to get him to take his paci, but it's a struggle and he's screaming and arching his back. I feel terrible b/c I don't know what's wrong and I've never seen him this upset before. Does anyone have any insight or words of advice??
ETA- he naps beautifully!! Take one in the morning and one in the afternoon, each lasting 1.5-2 hours. Goes down w/o a fuss and doesn't wake. He also goes to bed at 7pm and gets up around 7am, so I think he is getting enough sleep.
This discussion has been closed.
Re: WHAT is going on??
My DD is only about 3 months so please take what I say with a grain of salt. :-)
Is your DS napping well during the day? I'm also reading HSHHC and the one thing that's jumping out at me is that is DD is not getting enough sleep during the day. By history, I also know she does the latch/pull off/freak out thing when she's exhausted. Could this be part of the equation for your little one? More sleep seems to lead to more sleep...?
I just put the darkening shades in her room yesterday and I'm hoping they are the magic solution. I'm blissfully naive right now. :-)
I just edited to add that my son's naps are regular and a good 1.5-2 hours, so I don't think he is overtired. He started napping better once we got the room darkening shades, so good luck to you!!
spiffy- he screams even louder and becomes downright hysterical if anyone but me goes in to soothe him at night.
I'm not sure what to suggest. Nicholas finally went to waking 2 times per night around 5ish months when I did CIO, about 1 time per night around 10ish months and has just gotten to the point at 11 months where he'll wake up just a bit fussing and sometimes crying but he'll put himself back to sleep. On the rare occasion if he's really screaming I'll go in with a small bottle.
The only suggestion I have is to call the pedi and see if they'll just look him over to make sure they don't find something wrong. They also might have some other ideas for you to try.
Em, I don't know - it's strange that it happens only in the middle of the night. If it were around the clock, I'd say it could be gastrointestinal distress due to a food allergy or an ear ache. We're still up in the middle of the night and nursing is the only thing that works (or she'll scream forever).
my DD does that sometimes, she arches her back and almost jumps out of my arms; letting her stand seems to work
do you think he's learning to walk or crawl maybe? Have you tried putting him on the floor or holding him upright?
so sorry you are going thru this:( I so feel your pain
That is a tough one but I can definitely sympathize. My 17 month old has only STTN about 5 times since she was born. Yes, you read that correctly. Around month 10 we couldn't see straight anymore after getting up 3-4 times a night every night and finally started co-sleeping with her (which is something I always swore I would never do). However, we start her out in her crib though every night and only bring her in after she wakes up twice and won't easily go back down that second time. She was plagued with constant ear infections and colds though and I believe (hope!) that was part of her sleeping problem (read = ear pain/breathing challenges). SHe just had tubes put in her ears last Friday as well as her adenoids removed so we are hoping that will improve the situation. DH and I agreed that once she is "well" (read = not msierable due to sickness/pain) we were going to start some sleep training. We plan on starting something next month b/c it is getting old to have her going on 1 1/2 and still not STTN.
Is it possible he is getting too much sleep? Twelve hours at night plus 4 hours of naps seems like a lot to me... maybe he just doesn't want to sleep anymore and gets frustrated that you won't let him just play on the floor when he wakes up. Have you tried that? There were times we did that we DD. SHe wanted down off our lap and would kind of wander around on the floor until she finally realized it wasn't much fun (especially in the dark without anyone agreeing to play with her) and she'd be ready for sleep again. Just a thought. I wouldn't feed him especially if you think he is eating plenty during the day.
Sorry I don't have any better advice for you, but it may not hurt to have the pedi look him over. GL
I am so sorry that you're having to deal with this--it sounds like torture for parents and baby!
I have no idea what could be wrong, but to calm him down, have you tried the 5 Ss from the Happiest Baby on the Block? shushing, swaddling, side-holding, swaying/swinging, and sucking
(knock on wood) we haven't had to use them in awhile, but when Warner was seemingly inconsolable, they really worked for us.
My husband is against co-sleeping, so that is not an option
I kept him up later tonight to see if that helps, but I really don't think he's getting too much sleep. His schedule seems to be on par w/what HSHHC says. Who knows though.
bh- I think the 5 S's are only for when they're pretty young. He will not allow me to rock/swing or swaddle him at all!! But, I gotta say, that book was a lifesaver in the beginning.
Ben didn't start STTN until 13 months so I can empathize. Between his reflux, teething, illness, always something. Ben also got night terrors.
There were many nights that we alternated sleeping in the recliner in his room with him. And we tried a lot of stuff - lovey, paci, humidifiers, white noise, and I think finally "something clicked" in his routine that he pretty much sleeps fine now, w/an exception or two.