sleep regression @ 8 months ?

MrsJOSEnADRI · July 2011

Elise was STTN for 11 hours straight until the week before she turned 8 months old. This was when she started crawling, teething, pulling herself up to stand, etc. Now, she's learning to cruise and she's also become more vocal during this period. Since summer vacation started which is when she started learning all these new things, she's been waking once or twice a night. At first, I'd just feed her and she would go back to sleep b/c I figured maybe she was hungrier from all the new mobility. If she woke a second time, DH would rock her or rub her back until she fell asleep, again. Some nights, she she would wake but just fuss and put herself back to sleep.

However, on top of all that, now she has a cold. She can't really suck her paci too much b/c she's so congested. So now she is having trouble falling asleep at bedtime when we used to be able to just put her down and she would go to sleep. In addition to that, the only way she'll go back to sleep now is to put her in bed with me. But, I don't really get a good night's sleep when she's sleeping on top of me.

What do you think? Is this just a phase/wakeful period? Or, is she picking up some bad habits b/c of us?

BTW, she is also very whiny and fussy during the day which is not like herself. And, I remember she went through something similar right before she was 6 monthswhen she was learning to roll and sit. She stopped STTN for a few weeks, but then went right back to it on her own. Do you think she will this time?

MrsLeanna · July 2011

In my experience with Alexis, these little blips happen every few months, I don't know why. In your case, there is an explanation which is good. Just go with it. Once she gets back to normal, then go back to your routine of nighttime and she will adjust. When they're sick or hurting, I really believe that is an ok time to do what you need to do, including putting them in bed with you.

Hang in there!

CesEve99 · July 2011

MrsLeanna:

In my experience with Alexis, these little blips happen every few months, I don't know why. In your case, there is an explanation which is good. Just go with it. Once she gets back to normal, then go back to your routine of nighttime and she will adjust. When they're sick or hurting, I really believe that is an ok time to do what you need to do, including putting them in bed with you.

Hang in there!

this! kids go through phases, and they usually go back to their patterns on their own. there's no explanation sometimes, it just happens. hang in there!

MrsJOSEnADRI · July 2011

CesEve99:
MrsLeanna:

In my experience with Alexis, these little blips happen every few months, I don't know why. In your case, there is an explanation which is good. Just go with it. Once she gets back to normal, then go back to your routine of nighttime and she will adjust. When they're sick or hurting, I really believe that is an ok time to do what you need to do, including putting them in bed with you.
Hang in there!
this! kids go through phases, and they usually go back to their patterns on their own. there's no explanation sometimes, it just happens. hang in there!

This is what my gut tells me, but I've gotten some advice on sleep training that makes me doubt what we do.

MrsLeanna · July 2011

I hate the term sleep training, it's a baby not a dog, they tend to do things on their own pace

Always do what feels right for you, don't worry what other people tell you!!! Everyone always has an opinion on what you should be doing or shouldn't be doing or how long your baby should be sleeping and where they sleep and how they get to sleep. Do what works for you.

Albah · July 2011

Agree with Leanna 100%. It sounds like this is more related to her sickness and who knows, maybe she is teething as well. Ethan was sick for 2 weeks and if I put him down in the crib, he would choke. The boy slept on top of me and I would just transfer him into my bed for those 2 weeks. He is now better and back in his crib with no issue.

Do what you have to do to make her comfortable during these times. I definitely agree with the not worrying what other people tell you...you will be hearing lots and lots of advice..you are doing a pretty awesome job mommy and I say you go with your gut and instinct...Elise has been doing great!

MellyMelB · July 2011

Leanna is right. This will happen, it comes and goes. With Isabelle its her teeth or her ears. If she does not go right to sleep I give her something to make her comfortable whether its Motrin or Tylenol. You can tell if they are just wakeful and want to play or if they are uncomfortable. A little Motrin never hurt anyone and teething is a nasty b!tch for these babies. I don't think parents give growing pains enough credit either. They grow while they sleep....and it cannot all feel good.

The only thing I disagree with is about bringing them into the bed with you - but that is me and to each their own but I would rather one or two nights of not being able to sleep compared to the additional days it takes for them to get used to sleeping in their own beds. But yes - it does happen and often. Even Sophia has her nights where she just gets up for no reason and it drives me nuts. She is almost 4! We actually let her lay in our bed with us and fall asleep ONE TIME a few weeks ago and now she asks us everytime she gets up if she can come to our bed. That she is scared and blah blah. No. Somehow that kid can have her head on the pillow next to me and still be kicking me in the head. LOL.

cocojack10 · July 2011

Ha! I went to pedi last wk bc of the same thing. I swore Alex had an ear infection or something bc he'd wake up multiple times during the night crying, and wouldn't calm down until cuddling in our bed.

Turns out, pedi thinks it "malacriancas." GREAT. She said there isn't a wakeful period at 8 mo. The boys are also sick with congestion, but he's just spoiled already. We are going to try CIO in a couple of days (when DH returns from a business trip) bc we can't continue this way.

For the record, Saturday night, they both work up at least 5x! Mikey started talking at 4am, bc isn't that the time to talk?! LOL Dh was OOT already so I had them each on either side of me. Everytime one would wake up, I'd roll over to them. ::sigh:: To say that I"m exhausted is an understatement.

Hope Elise decides sleeping is yummy soon. LOL

MrsJOSEnADRI · July 2011

LOL, Leanna, I hate the term, too! I tried CIO one day for naps and I just can't do it. I figured if she's tired she'll nap and whether it's an hour or 30 mins thatms all she needs. Now, shems consolidated her naps on her own to 2 1-hour naps.

I have given her Tylenol and I rubbed some Vick's on her chest. She slept really well with both so I'm going to try again, tonight. I didn't give her either last night bc she seemed better. I am going to try to avoid brining her into our bed. I love to snuggle with her, but last night she was kicking me a lot!

Jackie, maybe therems gotta be an 8 or 9 month wakeful if our three babies are going through the same thing. I like my pedi, but dont agree with everything she says. She is very strict about no nighttime feedings or taking out of crib, etc. I have fed her at night in the last couple of days bc she hasnt been eating as much as she usually does due to the congestion. Pedi kept telling me not to feed her, but she's not the one up with a crying baby right now, lol.

Mrs.HisOnly · July 2011

J had the same issue around the same time, when she learned to stand, cruise etc. I wanted to shoot myself. lol He had been STTN in his own room for about a month and then suddenly at 9-ish months for abotu 2 weeks he was taking forever to get to sleep because he kept standing up and then he'd wake uo in the middle of the night with the same issue. Eventually, he figure out a more comfortable way to sleep and he'd entertain himself with his crib friends and fall asleep. His stuffed animals and blankies helped a lot.

So yes, completely normal. She'll go back to STTN eventually, it's just a phase.

Albah · July 2011

MellyMelB:
Leanna is right. This will happen, it comes and goes. With Isabelle its her teeth or her ears. If she does not go right to sleep I give her something to make her comfortable whether its Motrin or Tylenol. You can tell if they are just wakeful and want to play or if they are uncomfortable. A little Motrin never hurt anyone and teething is a nasty b!tch for these babies. I don't think parents give growing pains enough credit either. They grow while they sleep....and it cannot all feel good.
The only thing I disagree with is about bringing them into the bed with you - but that is me and to each their own but I would rather one or two nights of not being able to sleep compared to the additional days it takes for them to get used to sleeping in their own beds. But yes - it does happen and often. Even Sophia has her nights where she just gets up for no reason and it drives me nuts. She is almost 4! We actually let her lay in our bed with us and fall asleep ONE TIME a few weeks ago and now she asks us everytime she gets up if she can come to our bed. That she is scared and blah blah. No. Somehow that kid can have her head on the pillow next to me and still be kicking me in the head. LOL.

Oh yes, bringing a toddler into bed is much trickier! One night of allowing them ?will have them asking for days to come sleep with you. But a sick baby? Takes much more to develop malacriansa. I would also avoid bringing them into bed if I were you (more so because of your comfort and her safety), but worse case scenario, when they are truly sick, it's not going to develop a long term bad habit (unless you continue to bring them into bed after, then it becomes a bad habit from there.) But yes, to each their own.

Albah · July 2011

Mrs.HisOnly:
J had the same issue around the same time, when she learned to stand, cruise etc. I wanted to shoot myself. lol He had been STTN in his own room for about a month and then suddenly at 9-ish months for abotu 2 weeks he was taking forever to get to sleep because he kept standing up and then he'd wake uo in the middle of the night with the same issue. Eventually, he figure out a more comfortable way to sleep and he'd entertain himself with his crib friends and fall asleep. His stuffed animals and blankies helped a lot.
So yes, completely normal. She'll go back to STTN eventually, it's just a phase.

Yes, they do go through a phase when they learn to stand, cruise, take steps. All of a sudden hear Baby E babbling in his crib or standing happy as a clam. This definitely requires some soothing measures to the rescue. But this was unrelated to him being sick.

By the way Adri, if she has a cold, using the humidifer helps a lot and suctioning her nose as well (if she has boogies). This worked wonders with with baby E, keeping him as comfortable as possible. .

MrsJOSEnADRI · July 2011

We are using the humidifie, bt she HATES the suction ball and fights me to let me suck out her boogies.

You know, I was wondering when I could put a little doll or blankie in her crib. I think giving her something to hold may help since she cant suck her paci right now But, IDK if she'll just start playing with it or if it would actually helpp her fall asleep.

When did you give your babies a blankie or stuffed animal to sleep with?

Mrs.HisOnly · July 2011

MrsJOSEnADRI:
You know, I was wondering when I could put a little doll or blankie in her crib. I think giving her something to hold may help since she cant suck her paci right now But, IDK if she'll just start playing with it or if it would actually helpp her fall asleep.
When did you give your babies a blankie or stuffed animal to sleep with?

J has always slept with blankies. He likes to put them on his face. Not the safest thing but he's always been good with them. When he was sleeping in our room in the PnP he only had his seahorse https://www.amazon.com/Fisher-Price-Ocean-Wonders-Soothe-Seahorse/dp/B000W3XEQM in there with him. Once we moved him over to his crib @ 8 months, he sleeps with his 3 blankies (2 flannel and 1 fuzzy soft one) and about 6 "friends". The seahorse, Squeaky his mouse, his Mickey baby that plays music, Waddles the penguin, Oscar the doggie, a tortoise, and this Alien guy. They're all fairly small stuffed animals. Lately we've been giving him these little baby einstein keys that light up when you click a button they have. He clicks it on and off and falls asleep that way. II know it seems excessive but he likes having them in there, He'll play with their ears or tails while he's laying down. If for whatever reason he's all hyped up when we put him down, he can entertain himself till he falls asleep. We're very strict on when we put him in his room for the night so if he's not really "ready" at least he can entertain himself to sleep.

Anyway, point is, I think she's good with some company for bed.

MrsLeanna · July 2011

Alexis has slept with a knit blanket since day one when she was in the bassinet. She also has a lovey which is a bunny by a company called Angel Dear, it's a bunny head with blanket body. She still sleeps with Bunny, she loves Bunny

I'm not anti co-sleeping in certain situations. When Alexis is sick with a high fever I put her in bed with me because I like to be able to keep tabs on her temperature without having to get up and walk across the house. When we're out of town, I sleep with her, she sleeps better that way. She will usually ask once or twice when everything is back to normal but that's it. I've done it since she was a baby. I would say she's a great sleeper. SHe does the typical for her age stalling thing now of going to the bathroom or wanting a hug, etc, but she falls asleep by herself after I read her a book and sleeps through the night. So, as I've said before, do what works for you.

cocojack10 · July 2011

MrsJOSEnADRI:
We are using the humidifie, bt she HATES the suction ball and fights me to let me suck out her boogies.

Mikey hates his nose to be touched, but OMG this thing is a miracle tool! Every house with infants needs at least one.

https://www.amazon.com/BabyComfyNose-Nasal-Aspirator-Blue/dp/B002SZH45E/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1310504891&sr=8-3

Albah · July 2011

MrsJOSEnADRI:
We are using the humidifie, bt she HATES the suction ball and fights me to let me suck out her boogies.
You know, I was wondering when I could put a little doll or blankie in her crib. I think giving her something to hold may help since she cant suck her paci right now But, IDK if she'll just start playing with it or if it would actually helpp her fall asleep.

When did you give your babies a blankie or stuffed animal to sleep with?

They do hate the suction bulb but I just hold him gently and suction away...he appreciated it later. Even though the recommendation is nothing in crib, Baby E sleeps with a blankie too.

Lina1030 · July 2011

any time babies go through a different stage, rolling, sitting, crawling, cruising, walking, and of course teething, their habits and patterns may change including sleeping. So I am not surprised at this....especially if she demonstrated these changes at 6 months, she may be the type of baby that will at each stage. I have not experienced that w/K (yet) and Natalia did not either...only during teething did she wake up crying because of the pain. I am shocked that K has not since he got 6 teeth all within 1 1/2 months. I guess be patient and just listen to her cues to comfort her...she will get over this phase

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