Is it a NW if baby cries it doesn't seem to wake?

[pingulingo]

My 6 month baby has a ton of sleep issues that I'm trying to fathom out with the help of this forum and have had some really helpful advice.

But I am confused about night wakings. My baby cries in the night, from 2 - 10 times a night. I'm trying various things to stop them, but when he cries most times the eyes stay shut and I don't think he is properly awake. Occasionally he goes back to sleep on his own but mostly I have to tap his back and turn him on side to settle him.

Do these count as night wakings if I'm not sure he is totally awake and will sleep training methods work on a baby that's not awake? Or are all babies like this at night when they cry?

Thanks for any advice or help!

[Bex09]

What are the cries like? Do they last a while and escalate in to an 'I need you now cry'? If so then yes I would treat them as any other NW and use shush/pat as you are doing. If they are like a mantra cry that stays at the same tone or stops and starts then it is probably your DS's way of resettling himself if he wakes or comes into light sleep. If this is the case then you could leave him to see if he can resettle, but then go to him straight away if he starts to get more upset.

I would try to be consistent though and use shush/pat each time he needs your help during NW. I only say this as you mention that you are trying various things to stop the NW. Consistency is really the key to this, swapping and changing methods can actually make the situation worse. HTHs.

[pingulingo]

They are rarely a mantra cry, or what I recognise as his mantra cry anyway - which is a monotone grumble type noise.

The cries start off quiet and he builds into louder, more screamy type crying. Whilst I don't go in immediately when he cries and give him chance to stop, I do go in if I hear him escalating. I start by tapping his back and turning him on his side - he seems more comfortable with his knees pulled up. If tapping doesnt settle him then I pick up and tap his back until he settles.

The past few nights have been awful, crying up to every 10 minutes. I've had a few nights without a block of sleep longer than 45 minutes. Teething has been suggested but calpol/bonjella dont make a difference and his dribbling and chewing havent changed.

I have cut down his food so he was getting a small amount of solids at lunch, and today he has had milk only. But so far I've had to settle in 6-8 times in the past 2 hours so I dont expect it to result in an improvement tonight.

I'm lost as to what else I can try. I dont think he has an ear infection, he is pulling on ear but he does that when tired also. But I can't face a weekend more of this and am going to try to get him a dr appointment as I'm worried his wakings arent normal - hes not waking for food or comfort, but something must be causing him to cry?

[*Ali*]

Is he getting enough day sleep do you think? Both of mine cry in their sleep multiple times when OT.
Could he be getting sick with a virus? Any cough, snotty nose, rash or fever?

[pingulingo]

He is an awful daytime sleeper, but today I did all the things you shouldnt (like let him sleep on me) in the hope that some daytime sleep would help reset things as he is overtired. We had 2 x 45mins & 1 x 25 mins nap, which is far far more than he usually manages. He is snuffly but no temp or cough etc. I noticed him pulling on ear whilst alseep tonight tho, which I've not noticed before. Ear looks clean but could there be an infection further in? I think the dr will say there is nothing there but I've reached a point where I'm uncomfortable with his wakings - he arches back when crying and seems to need to settle whilst curled up with knees tucked up, it just looks like he is in discomfort - I just wish I knew what was causing it!!

Tried some fennel tea today, which gave him some amazing farts (better out then in!) but he's still pulling knees up tonight, so it doesnt seem to have helped!

[*Ali*]

Could it be digestive discomfort? Have you recently begun solids?
I would definitely get the Dr to check him over.
He may be OT if he is napping badly. I would let him sleep anyhow to catch up.

[Bex09]

Totally agree with Ali. It sounds very much like digestive issues to be waking that frequently and sounds like he is in pain. Your DS doesn't have reflux or silent reflux does he? Any sickness after feeds, wet burps or hiccups at all or crying when laid flat? As Ali said I would get a docs appointment to see what is going on and mention how bad DS's nights are.

[pingulingo]

no we used to get huge amount of sick - winding baby required a towel not a muslin. I went to the dr at the time and she was dismissive as he was gaining weight. He has since grown out of that, but perhaps there are still digestive issues. I think we will just stick with milk in the meantime. Thanks for the suggestions tho, hopefully I will get a drs appt 2moro!