6.5 month old wakes in first few hours of night crying - only once!

[snowbird]

This has happened for the last 4 nights or so. Don't think it happened before! LJ does have a cold but is coping well, still very happy and sttn.

It's a really upset cry and she is fine once I go in and reassure her - by putting my hand on her chest and stroking her head. I can then walk out and she will settle herself.

It's not a problem to go in to her but I would like to hear of you have ideas about why this is happening.  Could it be her cold? Seems unlikely altho they do coincide.

Could it be that she needs reassurance that I haven't left her? She's happy to play with other people and lets me leave the room - whilst with others and alone. But am trying to get my mum involved in various things - bedtime routine, top and tail etc. but LJ is having none of it and gets very upset. Separation anxiety at this age? She's happy for her daddy to be there instead. Just no one else!

It literally only is once a night!

Thanks,

Snowbird xx

[Tweakster]

Hi there, whilst it is a bit early for SA, it is entirely possible.  Could you show us your routine?  It's always best to rule out a routine issue first.  Is she teething?  All of our NW are due to discomfort and at that age it was teething.  Is it at at the same time or could something environmental be waking her ie neighbour's car or dog barking or whatever?  What are you doing for her cold?  Does she have a dummy? A lovey?

[snowbird]

Hello,

Well I suspected it was constipation as she sometimes does this in the day when she wakes from a nap and there have been occasions where she's pooed afterwards - a hard pellet like poo!

Anyway, she woke 2 hours after going down tonight and was very upset. When I checked her nappy for a 2nd time she had done a poo.

We've been baby led weaning for a few weeks now and she is now starting to consume more of it. The last few days she has had sweet potato, cheese, broccoli, toast with lightly spread butter and nothing at all on Wed.  Other foods she's had so far are banana, carrots, baby rice (very beginning) and mashed potato.

Going to monitor her intake closely, massage her tummy regularly (learnt something that might help in baby massage), give her water (if I can get it in her - been tying doidy cup for last 2 days) and include plenty of fruit and veg.

Thanks Wendy xxx

[snowbird]

Hi Wendy,

Well, I wrote a huge post the other day with my EASY etc and somehow lost it - was on my iPod touch! Now I am vowing never to write a long post on there again - so annoying!

Still think it's partly constipation but not sure it there's more to it.  For example, LJ woke up early this morning - no idea what time as I was half asleep and left her to it (she just talks to herself). Anyway, guessing about half 5 from previous experience.  My hubby went in to her at 6.40am and she had done a poo - some normal and a hard pellet.  I then put her down for a nap just before five to 9 and she went straight to sleep but only for 40 mins.  Woke up grumbling and this turned into a proper cry with tears.  I knew she was tired so tried to comfort her in her cot, stroking her head and reassuring her.  didn't work so picked her up and carried on reassuring her.  After ten mins I just got her up and took her downstairs.  She was then fine - except she's not been happy all morning since.  I can't leave the room hardly and she gets upset by noises such as hoover, shower etc.  Think she's just a bit sensitive at the mo as it doesn't normally bother her but has for last few days.

I fed her at 11am and then put her down at 11.45am.  She fell asleep 5 mins later and I am hoping she'll have a longer nap.

I know it could well be overtired - what do you think? Could she still have tummy ache even though she had a good poo this morning? I don't think it's an attention thing - she's just not like that - an angel/textbook baby! That said, she's always found it difficult when OT gets hold of her.

Her naps yesterday were only short so maybe it is just OT catching up with her.

Snowbird x