Sleeping - Ward, AR

B.....My grandson was one year old January 9 2008 and has never required much sleep. He has NEVER slept through a night however most babies start sleeping soon. They are each so different and seem to have different biological clocks.

J. M

As we all know, all babies area different. Neither of mine slept through the night until they were 18 months!!!!! Hang in there!

My 9 month old won't sleep thru the night either. His ped says it's not a big deal that some babies just don't sleep. Lucky me i guess!! The one thing he told me is to stop giving a bottle in the middle of the night. Eventually he will stop waking wanting to eat and might stop waking in the middle of the night all together. If you are breastfeeding though you might just be stuck. My baby just couldn't get enough to eat at that age ( he started at 6lb and was 17 by 4 mo ) I just remember that by the time he is 30 his sleeplessness will be his wife's problem!....maybe I'll sleep then!

It's not true because all babies are different. My son was sleeping through the night when he was 6 weeks old. My daughter on the other hand, didn't sleep through the night until she was 9 months old. They will hit milestones at different times.

one of mine didn't sleep threw the night until he was 9 months old I wouldn't worry about it unless she is acting like she is uncomfortable if there are any doubts ask her doctor he or she will make sure there is nothing wrong to relieve your worries

Hi and congratulations on your new baby. I just got around to reading this one and was compelled to write.

My 16 month-old was not a sleeper from the start. Four hours at a time would have been Heaven! He didn't start sleeping through the night until he was 13 months old. Just wasn't interested in sleeping, and his naps were inconsequential, too. He is developing perfectly, but was just one of those babies. It was difficult, to say the least, but that's just
how he was.

The important thing to remember is that every baby is different. There is no hard and fast rule about sleeping, eating, napping, or anything else. You have to do what you feel is best for you and for your baby, and if that means responding to her every cry, then that's what you need to do if it feels right. You know her better than anyone, and your instincts are unique to her.

Sleeping will happen, but it may take some time. Just be patient and remember the cliche' about how quickly they grow up and how they're only little once, because that is so true! Thinking about that was what kept me going
on those long, sleepless nights.

So just enjoy your baby the best that you can and try not to listen to too many people who tell you what your child should or shouldn't be doing at any given stage. Best of luck to you!

Hi B., As long as the Doctor says she's healthy at her checkup I wouldn't worry about it. I have three boys. The first one was sleeping thru the night after a couple weeks. The second one after about a month, the third one.....it took almost a year. He has always been alot more active than the other two, don't know if that has anything to do with it, but it was a rough first year. He is eleven now and still has trouble going to sleep. tells me there are too many questions running around in his head.

If it's important to you to have her sleep through the night, you can train her to -- she's old enough. Read the book BabyWise by Ezzo for how to do this.

Unless your pediatrician finds some factor or cause for concern, you shouldn't worry. Every baby is different and if she's happy, healthy, and eating well, I don't see a problem. Lots of people will have 'expert' opinions, but you know your baby.

She might be about to have teeth, if she doesn't already, and that might be waking her up. But I don't see any reason for you to be worried. Some of my kids didn't sleep all night till they were almost 1. So like I said, unless you've noticed any of the above, I wouldn't worry.

Hi B.

All babies are different. My first didn't sleep 4 hours in a row until he was 20 months old and at almost 3 still doesn't sleep through the night.
My second slept through the night at 2 months old and has ever since.
I think all kids are different! It also depends on if you are nursing vs. bottle feeding.
Let me know if you have any questions.
J.

Hi B., I've heard that they should be sleeping through the night by the time they double their birth weight, by the time they are 3 months old...but I think that isn't the case for all babies! I my oldest didn't sleep longer than 4 hours until she was nine months and my second child was 6 months old when she started sleeping all night. If you are getting where you really need the sleep or are just ready to get her to sleep longer you may want to try the No Cry Sleep Solution. I cannot remember the author, but it worked for me...Is she waking up because she is hungry?

B., She would not be sleeping through the night necessarily if she is breastfeeding. She will need to feed at least once per night as breast milk is so easily digestable. Is she/he nursing? B. Smith RN CCM

Count your blessings one by one...Sleeping four housr a t a time is a blessing some mothers only dream of and some mothers would think that was the end of the world. My little ones did not sleep through the night until they were about one. But, when they started sleeping through the night, they gave up long naps during the day. Please don't compare your baby to anyone elses baby. It can be a steep downhill spirl that you will get caught in. She sounds like a beautiful wonderful baby, that sleeps for just as much as her little body needs. I promise this to will pass and she will sleep longer one day!:)

Haha...mine didn't sleep through the night until almost 2! (That is a little extreme but mom-in-law said my hubby did the same thing, so I'm blaming him, lol!). She was sleeping more than 4 hours at a time, of course, but up until 2 I was up at least twice a night. Every baby is different.

I think my daughter's stomach is what woke her up all the time - like me, she has the metabolism of a bird and would frequently wake up hungry. I breastfed for 13 months so that played a part in night wakings...honestly I wasn't strict enough about not feeding at night as she got toward the end of that year, when I probably should have been. Then teething causes sleep problems, and she also had night terrors for a long time (thankfully those are virtually non-existent now - she just turned three today).

Don't stress! If you want to do some reading up on helping your little one sleep better, read "The Sleep Solution" (can't recall the author). I found it very helpful when I finally got serious about the sleep issue. :)

Hi B.,

I am a mother of 10 children, and not one of them slept through the night at 4 months old. So don't worry about that. Every baby is different. They do seem to do better at 5 or 6 months, though!

Hope this was a help to ya!

L.

First let me say congratulations on your little girl! Few questions: are you nursing or formula feeding? If you are nursing, babies digest the breastmilk a lot quicker, so they need to eat every 3-4 hours at that age. Also, "sleeping through the night" for babies is considered sleeping 5 hours. So either way, she is almost "sleeping through the night" anyway. There is a lot of variation between babies, so what one does isn't necessarily an indication of what they all will do. At four months, I definitely wouldn't worry about her sleeping 4 hours at this point. Good luck! oh- and please don't let people tell you to put cereal in her bottle at night- that is not healthy at that age.

Dear B.,
I have a son who is 41 yrs old now.
When he was born he slept like you have described your baby, I thought wow he is one good baby,
This went on for six weeks when I took him in for his six week check up. We could never really look at his eyes good because he slept all the time..
The dr. discovered that he had chronic glaucoma,,reason for sleeping, the light hurt his eyes.. Needless to say at the age of ten we had to have both eyes removed...so check your babies eyes,,,,hope with thanks to God that he or she is ok and just loves to sleep,,,,,,,,,,,,J. Cornelison

First of all, a lot of people will tell you a LOT of things ... everyone seems to have an opinion and will gladly give it to you when it comes to your kids! ;)

Secondly, "sleeping through the night" is defined a little differently than I think most people would think. When physicians ask if babies are "sleeping through the night," they are meaning a 6 hour stretch (not 8-12 hours as some people might think mistakingly).

Also, even that depends on MANY factors ... and I don't think MOST babies "sleep through the night" until well after they are 6 months old. Yes, there are some babies that do so before, but if yours isn't one of them, that doesn't mean that she should be! ;)

Weight, breastfeeding or formula feeding, napping, and even just the baby's temperment, etc. can play a factor in how much baby sleeps at night, and when she'll "sleep through the night."

My son was formula fed from 1 month on, and he "slept through the night" at 8 weeks, from what I recall. My daughter, who is exclusively breastfed (and much smaller than my son was, too), didn't "sleep through the night" until she was 9-10 months old!

It WILL happen, and your baby will do all sorts of things like this (and other "milestones") at her own pace. Babies are all SO different, and will NEVER do anything exactly "on schedule" or like another baby (not even a sibling)! ;) Best wishes to you!

B.,

They lie there may be a few but mine is 13 months and still wakes at least 2-3 times at night....4 hours is great for breast fed and bottle babies....

Sleeping through the night can depend on whether she is breast fed or bottle fed. I formula fed my first baby and he slept through the night by 3 to 4 months. But my other 2 were both breast fed for about 9 months and neither slept all night til well after the were weaned. Breast milk does last as long in their systems so they get hungry faster. You might talk to your pediatrician about any supplements you could try to keep her full longer at night. Hope something works out.

A.

they are ALL different. my 1st slept through the night at 4 weeks, my 2nd at 9months, and my 3rd is 13 months and still wakes up....i think the best thing you can do, is give her something that comforts her such as a blanket to help, so that she doesn't get in the habit of drinking a bottle or nursing at night. but 4 months is still very young, so she may still need to eat at night...good luck, but don't get discouraged, she'll do it one day.

Each child is different. I had one that slept all the way through from day one. I would wake him up to breast feed.
This one also NEVER wet his diaper during the night after 8 months old and never ever ever wet the bed.
The second one, woke up every 2 or 3 hrs till he was about 6 months and then he woke up twice during the night till he was about 3 or 4 years old. I thought I was never going to get him to NOT pee in the bed.
The little girl that I have now, she wakes up constantly several times a night. I have a monitor and hear her. I don't go in there but she has cloth books in her bed and she gets up and reads and talks to her stuffed animals. (she is 18 months.) She doesn't cry, but she still gets up and she is self soothing.
So you see.... they are all different. If you are getting tired of waking up, just don't go in there in the middle of the night so he can learn to self sooth and go back to sleep.
It is ok that he wakes and sleeps as he pleases but if it is night then he needs to learn right now while he is still little that it is night time and you have to sleep too.
I would wait till he was about 6 months old before I started that. If he is really little he may not be able to go all the way through the night without eating. So just observe and go with your feelings on that one.
Good luck

Hi B.!
Like all humans, your baby is a unique individual. She will grow into her own cicadian rhytms and develop her own sleep schedule.
You can choose, as many parents do - to "sleep train" her.
OR you can choose to help her learn to read her own body's sigmals and care for her own bodty and well being in the unique way it needs.
For years I was forced to sleep, eat, and live against my body's natural rhythms and I beleive that is the primary cause of many of my health problems today.
Empower your daughter to listen to her body. Be there for her as a safe place and a guide through the nights and the days. Support her as she learns her own life rhythm.
You will both be happier and better adjusted in the long run. Remember, sometimes being a mother feels like a chore - but it is such a blessing to guide a new little person into their own unique existence. Think of all the times you as a child were coerced or "trained" and treat your child with more respect - really nurturing the being she will become.
What a great opportunity to learn about your own self as well - you may discover parts of you that have been repressed...
Enjoy the adventure and take one day (and one night) at a time.
In order to get averages and "norms" there MUST be idividuals on either far end of the chart. Does that make them ab-normal? No - it makes them the curve-setters!
L. G

My first slept through the night from the day I brought her home. My second by two months and my third has never and is now 2 yrs old. Further, my 4 and 5 yr olds have periods now (after being wonderful baby sleepers) where they go through nite terrors or bed wetting or bad dreams or wanting to sleep with mom.

I hate to say it, but as a Mom your days of sleeping peacefuly are over. You'll have times that you get a lot of sleep and times when you don't. There is always someone sick or having sleeping problems.I seem to adjust pretty well and can now sleep walk through the nights and take care of everyone, change diapers, fill bottles, check for monsters in the closet, and sing lulabies and NEVER even remember it in the AM. Some days I am tired, but I try to nap with the kids or go to bed with them at 7:00PM.

Don't stress over what others tell you. You will work out your own system and there are no "rules". Unless, of course, there is a problem. Make sure they are dry and not ill and you can always let them cry for awhile. I could never do that which is probably why we still play musical beds. But --- hey! --- they are only little for a few years and then that time is gone and you'll miss it!

Not necessarily. All babies are different and that includes their sleeping habits! My 8 month old still gets up twice a night, even though, they say she should be sleeping all night by now. Don't worry too much, but if it is still bothering you, talk to your pediatrician, they will ease your concerns.

Hi B.,
I have a four month old baby as well. He began sleeping through the night at 7 weeks. (I also have a 3 year old who slept through the night @ 6 weeks). I am not saying this to be cocky, but just saying... yes, it is possible! The main thing to remember is that babies begin sleeping through the night because they have been eating well throughout the day and their tummies don't wake up hungry. Make sure she is eating at least 6 times/ day. I am assuming you are breastfeeding. Let her empty both breasts at each feeding. Also, don't stress about it. Everyone has different experiences with each baby. Do the research, but also trust your 'Mommy Instinct'.
Best Wishes!!!

most kids don't sleep through the night until they are at least 6 mths old. My first didn't sleep through the night until he was 10 months old. My second slept through the night from teh first day she got home from the hospital. Follow your gut instinct. People mean well but you have the MOMMY feeler inside that will tell you when it is time for your baby to sleep through the night. Trust it and ignore the other voices.

I am so jealous, I have 4 kids 15,5,2, and 1.My 2 yr old and my 1 year old still do not sleep through the night. I am lucky if I get a straight 3 hours from either of them. If you find out any miracle ways to make them sleep please let me know.

All babies are different. Throw all of the books out of the window. Love her, Cuddle her, Enjoy her. We all learn to sleep through the night eventually, but our bodies are all different. Some babies need that support during the night. Don't pust it till she's a year old. She'll be grown up before you know it, and you'll wish you had those cuddle times in the middle of the night again!

Mother of 2yr old. Pediatrician gave me this same advice around 4 months of age. By 7 months, he was sleeping through the night. Looking back, I realize that those times rocking at 3 am were so important to our bonding. Also very peaceful!

have you thought that she may not be getting full enough at night. My son is formula fed with ceral in every bottle. at night i give him 1/2 ounce to a full ounce more than normal with ceral. He also gets a bath every night i put him to bed at 8 and I don't get up with him until about 6:20. He's 9 months old but that has been our routine since he was about 4 months old. Please let me know if i can help in any other way.

A. G.
Brandon,MS.

Yeah I got tired of everyone telling me that very same thing... All babies are different and develop their own schedule, especially if you have a different schedule what another family might. My husband worked 3rd shift at first so she was very colicky until the time for him to go to work and then it was bedtime.

But as for sleep she would do the opposite. She would sleep 2-3 hours at a time during the day and wake up about every hour or two depending upon whether it was a growth spurt, she was a premie.... but thrived and gained 1 1/2 lbs. within 1 week because she wanted to nurse so frequently. Another determining factor is whether you breastfeed or bottlefeed. They say bottlefed babies sleep longer and are satisfied longer because breastfed babies poop more because it's easier to digest.

Hope this helps....

My little girl is almost 4 months and she's only slept "through the night" (7 hour stretches) twice...and those were weeks apart. Especially if you're nursing, I've been told that it's not unusual at all for them not to sleep through the night yet.

I HIGHLY recommend the book, "Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child". My son is 2 and I still read it sometimes. He's been a pretty great baby, and hasn't had a lot of sleep trouble, but he didn't sleep all the way through the night until he was a year old and I stopped nursing. If you breastfeed, they are more likely to need to eat at least once at night. Some babies, especially formula-fed babies sleep longer, but not all. They really don't settle down into a "normal" routine until around 5 months old.

I found that every baby is different (even siblings). My daughter did the same thing for the first 6 months or so. She slept longer during the night after that.

She sleeps all night most nights (11-12 hours) and takes a nice nap during the day and she is almost 2-so it DOES get better!