the dreaded sleep question ...

Ferrari2010 · March 2014

I have been a long time lurker, not sure why I never really "joined" probably because at first I was scared my pregnancy wouldn't last (had multiple miscarriages) or that you all just asked and answered the way I would. ANYWAYS... But I am looking for advice. My boy is 7.5 months and never has been a good sleeper. His naps are very sporadic, some days it’s only cat naps and others between 1-2 hours. He still wakes every 2-3 hours to night as well. We tried weaning the night time feeds, letting him fuss a bit, giving him his nuk, then eventually a bottle. Starting with a once, and working our way up. He is defiantly still needing to two feedings - totaling 4-8 ounces. We aren’t very strict with naps, mostly following his “tired signs”. Nighttime routines are constant and going to bed is pretty easy – and he goes to sleep usually around 7:30/8. We have tried keeping him up later but he still wakes often and doesn’t seem to make much of a difference. Our daycare wants to get better naps and comments often he should, and needs be sleeping more. Other people look at us as we have 3 head when we tell him he isn’t sleeping though the night and waking often. The pediatrician also says he should be better at napping and sleeping though the night. She states that we just created this bad habit and to just let him CIO at naps and during the night. Our parenting style doesn’t not mesh with the CIO method but we have no problem letting him fuss. But full on crying I can’t do, and daycare also won’t as the crying disrupts the other children napping. We don’t mind the nighttime feeds as we both work fulltime and like the extra snuggles. But I feel like I am this horrible parent teaching bad habits, which is the opposite of what we want for our future selves, and our child. Is anyone in the same boat? Or were and how you help getting better sleep? Any tips? Thanks in advance!

Ferrari2010 · March 2014

Holy no paragraphs ... sorry! They WERE there.

MommyAmes2 · March 2014

A lot of us don't have babies sleeping through the night. They all will eventually sleep! Isn't really much more you can do.

Ferrari2010 · March 2014

I guess its not so much that he isnt sleeping though the night. Its more so is he getting enough sleep? DC can suck it and deal. But I have people telling me he should be sleeping 12 to 14 hours a day, when in reality he is only getting maby 8 to 9. I probably babbled too much!

TrueBeliever925 · March 2014

We just let him sleep when he wants to. Miraculously, he sleeps pretty good. We do have a random wakeful period for about an hour around 11 or so most nights. DH comes home and our dogs freak out barking and the commotion normally wakes LO up. Honestly, I don't even try and put him back down unless he looks really sleepy. I let him jump his jumperoo and it normally puts him back out. He also only naps for 30-45 minutes a few times a day, so he does get most of his sleep at night.

Just relax and do what you're doing. Don't listen to other people. LO will let you know what's right and wrong or when he wants to sleep or doesn't.

BelhurstBride · March 2014

Is he a happy baby and meeting milestones? If so then I wouldn't worry so much.

If daycare is concerned about sleep, or the lack thereof, then they can work on naps.

DD2 is still currently up every 2-3 hours more nights than not. I think she's too distracted during the day to eat efficiently and makes up for it at night.

Ferrari2010 · March 2014

He is the typical happy baby and is "on track" for milestones. On weekends we are pretty easy going - he sleeps when he is tired. Maybe he thinks he'll miss all the fun?

Thanks for your responses! They make me feel much better!

MrsLaurenAsh · March 2014

I wouldn't "worry". It's not uncommon, but obviously everyone benefits when baby sleeps. The Magic Sleep Suit really is "magic" for us. When we don't use it, LO will wake up every few hours. When we do use it (which is every night now) he sleeps 11-13 hours straight. It's glorious. And well worth the $40!

kkay1982 · March 2014

@Ferrari2010‌ your LO sounds like my LO. I'm not worried about it. We have a happy healthy baby and while I would like more sleep we're doing ok. All in good time.

BellaOso · March 2014

Meh. DC is probably sad because they are missing their "break time". You are right, they can just suck it up.

My kids' ped never gives me parenting advice and that is just the way I like it. (I don't think he would advocate for CIO anyway - another reason I like him.)

I wouldn't worry about it. Just make sure he has opportunities to try and sleep if he needs it on the regular. Like a time when it is quiet, dark, etc. for an hour or so, so he can try if he wants to.

MitsB707 · March 2014

Sounds like just babies being babies. Your lo sounds just like DS. Some days he takes long naps. Sometimes not so much. On weekends he could nap for 3 hours straight and then for 15 minutes. Just as long as lo is happy, healthy, and meeting milestones, just keep doing what you're doing. Btw, my little guy eats every 2 hours round the clock.

juliad2010 · March 2014

kkay1982 said:
@Ferrari2010‌ your LO sounds like my LO. I'm not worried about it. We have a happy healthy baby and while I would like more sleep we're doing ok. All in good time.

^this. Naps are very hit and miss. Some days he'll have 3-4 45 minute naps, other days like today only 2 30 minute naps.

I've read that having babies go to bed an hour earlier helps some sleep longer. We haven't had success moving up his bedtime. LO sleeps when he wants to sleep.

Rowcate · March 2014

My guy is still getting 2-4 MOTN feedings. It varies day to day. He wakes up pretty often. He definitely does better at night when he gets a decent nap during the day and if he goes down between 6:30-7. If I wait until he is tired he will fight it.

It is pretty split down the middle with babies that I know around this age that are STTN or still waking for feedings. My first was waking until 18 months. She is a great sleeper now. All babies are different. There is no cookie cutter sleep schedule that they should be following at this age.

I would try putting LO down a little earlier to see if that helps. Good Luck!

amarissa85 · March 2014

Jr is still getting up roughly every 2 hours, sometimes longer stretches if I am lucky and by longer I mean like 3 hours. I am not really concerned at all and the others are right, he will do it when he is ready. The only opinion that matters is yours. All others can go shove it somewhere, seriously.

PrimRoseMama · March 2014

It's only a problem because others are making it one. My kid doesn't STTN. Shit, DD (who will be 3 in October) has a bad night every now & then.

Trying to make adult sensibilities, schedules & needs get met by babies is ridiculous.

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