Hi there,
Am new to this site, but have read & heard great things about the boards. Apologies in advance for the length.
I'm a first time mom, and have a 10 month old son. He has a pretty good daytime routine, but the nights have been not so good from the start. We had some trouble with acid reflux (GERD) which has added to the problem. The reflux seems to be under control now, and the Dr. as well as hubby & I are pretty sure that he has grown out of it.
The main issue we have been dealing with lately (the last two weeks) is that the baby has been waking up screaming (not a regular cry) on several occasions most nights. We aren't sure, but are thinking it might be night terrors or nightmares. He is difficult to console, refuses the breast, and the episodes last 5-20 minutes. Sometimes it seems that he is awake & aware, other times he is clearly not awake.
This is our main concern, but we would also like to move him from the family bed into his crib. The cry it out method is a last resort, but since we are so sleep deprived, it is fast becoming a likely option. Currently, I am about to start sleeping in a bed with him in his room, beside the crib and plan to slowly start to get him into the crib.
Would really appreciate any suggestions, advise, previous experience as the lack of sleep is having a negative impact on all three of us. Have been trying to push through it for the baby's sake, but cannot keep at it indefinitely.
Here are my answers to the questions suggested:
What’s his/her daily routine?
Wakes up around 5am to feed, usually nurse twice between 5 and 8am, up around 8am for the day. Breakfast around 9am (have to wait due to medication), plays until 11am, nurses then naps. Lunch around 12:30, plays, nurses again around 2:30pm, then naps again. Eats another meal (dr. suggests feeding him 5 meals a day as his wait is on the low side) at 4pm, plays, run errands, etc. Nurses around 5pm, dinner around 7:30pm, plays, gets medicine, nurses to sleep around 8:30pm.
He is currently sleeping with us, but we are in the process of trying to get him into his crib.
What’s nap routine? How long are naps?
Two naps, 45mins-2 hours each, one nap in the morning & one in the afternoon.
What's bedtime routine? Time?
Between 8-9pm, nurses to sleep
Do you bottle or breastfed?? How Long?
BF, 5-10 minutes
If breastfed.. one side or both?? (at each feed)
One side, sometimes both before bed
How many wakes per night?
Between 9pm-12am, he wakes at least once, and sometimes 3-4 times. Is up again between 12am, and 5am fussing & wanting to nurse, I have not nursed him at this time or the last week, instead I comfort, etc. Up again between 4-5am, I nurse him at this time. I often nurse again 1-2 times in order to keep him sleepy and in bed.
What’s your LO like when waking at night? How long is he/she up?
Sometimes he wakes and is fussy, can settle back with soother in 10 mins, other wakings are terrible, screaming, crying, inconsolable. When fussy he is half-asleep, so not up for long. When crying, etc, he is up for 20-30 mins.
What have you tried to settle??
Holding & soothing words, rocking, walking, breastfeeding (only when he is really upset), often a tour of the house or yard or a visit with the cat can get him settled.
Are there developmental issues such as teething or milestones?
Some teething, two teeth sprouted three weeks ago, no new signs of teeth right now
Do they have a prop? If so what is it?
Soother
Do they have a lovie?
Are in the process of using a small frog, specially made for this purpose, he only gets it at night, but doesn't have to have it. We are in the process of trying to get him into his crib, and want him to have a comfort once he is there.