So my 4 and half month old DD has been sleeping through the night from about 4 weeks on. By that I mean she went down around 9:30 and slept till 5 or 6. at which point she'd eat and go back down for another 3 hours. but recently she's been getting up between 3-4 and is awake for about 1/2 hour eats and goes back down for about three hours and then gets up for the day. I'm so tired all the time as I never adjusted to having to get up in the middle of the night. Has anyone else had this happen? Does anyone have any suggestions? I have not change anything but she just wants up so much earlier then before. PLEASE HELP!!!
Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child (Paperback)
by Marc Weissbluth
This book is a life saver! A must read!
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Michelle - Mother of 4
Good Morning Larua,
As i read your question,..Looking back,.. my daughter,..who is now 17,.. did the exact same thing,.. Lucky for me, Grandma lived right down stairs from me at the time, So i went to her,..being a new mom,..I was frustrated as well,..And very tired,..What she suggessted was giving Amanda a small bowl of baby cereal before bedtime,..If your daughter hasnt yet experianced babyfood yet,.. make it kinda soupy but with some substance to fill her little belly a little more,.. i started Amanda right away off the spoon,..she loved it and slept threw the night till between 7 and 8 am,.. then had her morning bottle,.. a little wake up time,.. then laid back down and slept another hour or so till she was ready for her day. i hope this helps.
M.
My son also did this around the same age and after about a month I decided to stop feeding him at that early morning waking. I knew that he was able to sleep through without eating, I think he just started to grow accustom to eating at that time when he did start waking again. It took a few days of letting him cry it out but after that he started sleeping through the night again.
Have you started giving your daughter any type of rice cereal? I have read that once a baby can sleep through the night, but then they start waking up, it is quite possible that they need more calories. Maybe she is ready and asking for more. Think about introducing rice cereal (from a spoon) if you are comfortable with that. Both my kids started at 4 months and loved it!
This is perfectly normal. My son was sleeping through the night from 2 months old (he's now 2 1/2). I became concerned when we had some "hiccups" along the way, but found out that it is indeed normal. My only concern would be that if she has been sleeping through the night without the 3-4am feedings, I wouldn't create a habit of feeding her when she gets up at that time now. Otherwise, you'll have a hard time breaking her of that routine. I would soothe her (rocking, pacifier, etc) in another way and try to get her back to the 6am (or later) feeding that you had been doing. That's just my opinion... And for what it's worth, I don't think I EVER adjusted to having to get up in the middle of the night! Not looking forward to it again with our second due in April... ~oy~ Best of luck to you and your little one!
I understand. I have a big heart for my daughter's middle of the night needs... I don't like what the professionals say about "not feeding them in the middle of the night" or "let them cry" Just get up with her. give a bottle, and things will change when she's ready.
I've learned that many times, sleep schedule changes are a result of teething. She needs you. She needs snuggling and assurance. Don't be afraid to use a litte mickey mouse cartoon in the morning to catch a 1/2 hour nap on the couch!
Both of my children did the same thing. As soon as I thought we had a pretty good routine, things would change. Except mine would sometimes wake 5-6 times a night. This happened several times until they were sleeping through the night (7pm to 7am). That didn't happen until they were between 7 and 8 months old. Their sleeping patterns may change for many reasons such as teething, a growth spurt, reflux. These are all legitimate reasons for our little ones to wake and need a little comfort or food. I know it's hard, but just hang in there, it will get better.
Dear L.,
Sometimes babies get out of their orginal sleep habits. I have heard about changing the clock around for them when they do this but I can't remember the strategies. I have a 10 and 12 year old so I am passed those days. However, ask your doctor about changing the clock full circle. Perhaps he will kwow the method.
A side note, I noticed you said you are looking for work. I work for a company that specializes in health & wellness products (awesome products for babies too!) It is all botanical based with no harmful chemicals. We are always looking for people to partner up with in our businesses. Here is my website: www.rmoyer.myarbonne.com. Take a look at it and if you have any further questions, email me back o the link in the website.
I hope this helps - I know how tiring that is!
Good luck!
Hi L...we spring forward this weekend! Try putting her to sleep at 10. Babies love the 10, 2, 6 and 10 scedule. With the time change it should work. She may be teething. I have a daycare and had 3 children and lots of them have 6 teeth by 6 months. Teething takes a long time and in that time you learn their tolerance to pain. It is a good time for you to smile at her a lot when she cries..you will see that she will mimic what she sees on your face. Try staying up at 6 when she goes back down and then you can rest during her afternoon nap. You are lucky that you can stay home. If you find a job near Troy...look me up! I am listed here on mamasource under licensed child care.
T.
