Cosleeping and 4 month wakeful question

TJHine · March 2014

I can't remember if I introed here before or not, but I lurk and have a 5 month old little one and cosleep and EBF.

We are I think going through the 4 month wakeful, and LO is waking up very frequently - sometimes every 45 minutes. He seems hungry every time so I feed him, but I'm exhausted. Any ideas on how to get through this? I really don't want to transition into a different sleeping arrangement, but I am struggling on so little sleep. Thank you in advance for any help!

Emerald27 · March 2014

It could be a growth spurt too, or perhaps he's about to hit a developmental milestone...or maybe he's teething.

Can you sleep while he nurses? At that age, I spent a lot of time just sleeping with DS latched. It gave me more sleep. :P Can you also nap during the day when he is asleep? I would sacrifice any and all housework for the purpose of getting some extra sleep in.

He's so young that it really isn't advisable to not feed him when he wakes, even if it seems super frequent. It's really true that they need the milk they wake for at this stage, and these phases usually pass fairly quickly.

TJHine · March 2014

@Emerald27‌ I've tried to sleep while he nurses but I'm not very good at it.
I always used to sleep during the day when he slept, but lately it's very short periods of time...I'm not sure why.

I absolutely will feed him if he wants to eat when he wakes up, he seems truly hungry...so maybe it is a growth spurt.

I'm just exhausted, but as you said, this will pass! Thank you for your suggestions!

Emerald27 · March 2014

Another thing that may help would be to see if DH could spend some time with DS in the evening a few days a week to give you a break for a nap. After dinner, he could take DS for a walk or play with him in another room while you take a 1-2 hour nap, and he can bring DS to you to nurse when he becomes really hungry. That would get you an extra hour or two of uninterrupted sleep, and give DH some daddy-son bonding time.

It doesn't sound like much fun because it cuts into YOUR time with DH, but if it's just a few nights a week and one nap during the weekend, and if it's just during the rough patches when you feel like you're up all night nursing DS, it's worth it!

TJHine · March 2014

@Emerald27‌ I'm sorry I forgot to mention in my intro (I forget that I should explain more sometimes)
It's just me and little man, my husband passed away while I was pregnant.

I'd love to be able to do that though, for so many reasons!

Maybe I'll have a friend watch him so I can take a nap

Emerald27 · March 2014

@TJHine‌ I am so very sorry for your loss.

Having a friend watch him for an hour or two occasionally so that you can get a nap is a great idea. Hopefully this phase passes super fast, though. Infant sleep is constantly changing.

JennOH85 · March 2014

OP, I feel your pain --and exhaustion-- on this one. My DS is also five months and has been sleeping horribly for the last month or so but the last week or two have been particularly bad with wake ups as often as every 30-40 mins. Nursing is usually the only thing that will calm him and like you, I can't sleep while I nurse even though we bed share. I'm praying this is just a phase.

I read the No Cry Sleep Solution and might try some of those ideas if this pattern continues. Maybe check it out and see if it sounds like it would help? ((Hugs)) you're doing a good job, even if it doesn't feel like it from a sleep-deprived haze.

TJHine · March 2014

@JennOH85‌ Thank you! I really just wanted to know I wasn't alone and to not have people tell me I needed to get him out of our bed, because I'm not ready yet!

I hope both of our LOs start sleeping better soon!

Myaflowers · March 2014

I'm so sorry for your loss. I just wanted to say that I remember that the time period around 4 or 5 months was rough, but it gradually got better! I definitely wouldn't give up bed sharing if you're not ready. I feel like I have gotten so much more sleep by having DD in the bed with me than if she'd been in a crib. I've gradually gotten better at sleeping through night feeds. Now whenever I wake up in the morning, I literally don't remember nursing in the night, but I know I must have because I wake up on the other side of DD (I switch sides halfway through the night). You may find it easier to sleep through night feeds as time goes by. Plus, as they get older, they can just latch themselves on without waking you! Hang in there...it gets better!

lavindir · March 2014

My DS is 7 months and i have been co sleeping with him since he was born. He might sleep a good 5 hrs before i have to nurse him almost every hour until he wakes up. Yes it's exhausting but sounds like u are an awesome loving mom!!!

daniann333 · April 2014

TJHine said:

@JennOH85‌ Thank you! I really just wanted to know I wasn't alone and to not have people tell me I needed to get him out of our bed, because I'm not ready yet! I hope both of our LOs start sleeping better soon!

We are in the same situation. It seems like C is up all the time to nurse. Also, he rolls to face me where ever I am laying. Ex: last night, I was laying down, got up and went to the other side of bed. C rolled all the way over, grabbed my shirt and pulled himself closer. (mind you, he won't roll during the day) Let me know if you find any tricks. I am not ready to get him out of the bed either.

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