What can it possibly be?

[Lorelei Lee]

Hello everyone!
I am very unlucky today to admit that I was up for most of the night last night. My baby woke at 10, 11, 12, 1 am, 2 am, 3 am, 5 am and 7 for the day. We are not exactly on easy, but we do have a nice routine during the day. Here it is:
E - 7 am
A - 7 - 9
S - 9 - 10
A - 10 - 13
E - 12
S - 13  - 14
A - 14 - 17 
E - 16:30
S - 17 - 18
A - 18 - 20
E - 20-30
S - 20:45

She slept through the night since she was two weeks old without any routine whatsoever. Things gone slightly worse sine 5 months old (two teeths came out). Then everything went better, then now again, worse than ever. I'm trying everything - putting a pillow in crib, taking it away, changing solids to different ones, putting her on her side, on her back, covering her with a blanckie, taking it away... You've got the picture. She's been up more three times a night for the whole past weekend. Then the last night - a total disaster.
We do use a paci, but it has always been there, as well as my holding her to sleep. It has never caused any problems. I take the paci away as soon as my dd falls asleep.
Any ideas? Please help!

[momofclaire]

I have a few questions. 

How old is your little one? 
How long have you been on solids?

My first thought is that she is way overtired and hasn't learned to fall asleep on her own.  The problem with holding her to sleep is that when she wakes in the night, as we all do, she thinks you need to hold her for her to be able to go back to sleep.  I also believe that her bedtime is way to late.  Your sch should be based on a 12 hour day and a 12 hour night, so if she gets up at 7, she should go to bed at 7. 

[Lorelei Lee]

thank you for responding. my lo is almost 7 months. we are on solids since 5.5 months.
i don't think that holding is a problem as she doesn't need it when she wakes at night - only her paci and my hand on her. and she goes to sleep in my arms since she was 3 months - it's never been like that.
what about 8 pm bedtime? will it help?

[momofclaire]

The problem is that she wakes and needs you.  Wouldn't you rather her wake and not need you?  We, as adults wake during the night all the time, to fluff our pillow, use the restroom, or get a drink of water.  Your little one associates falling asleep with you being there either holding her or touching her. 

I think that an earlier bed time will help because she is probably overtired. I also think you might want to get her on a better EASY sch as that will help her know what to expect and get the rest she needs.  At 7 months babies are generally transitioning from 2, 1.5-2 hour naps and a cat nap, to 2, 2 hour naps.  She needs roughly 4 hours of daytime sleep.  Usually bad day sleep=bad night sleep. 

Hope this info helps some.
Myia

[Samuel's mum]

Are you seeing any hunger signs?? She's at the age where a big growth spurt often hits. Could you try increasing her daytime calories?

Could it be related to developmental? Is she about to master a new skill?

[Lorelei Lee]

thanks to all! my lo has only woke twice this night! must have been a developmental thing the night before. or because she only slept for three hours in total during the day. i'll try to transition her to two naps and will mover her bedtime to 8 pm.
Samuel's mom, thank you too - I will try out what you suggest. Momofclair, I would love for her to be able to fall asleep on her own. But, alas! I know I won't be able to endure even the slightest of her crying, so I don't even try it. Besides, I would probably hang out by her bed anyway, when she is awake at night, so, what's the point? Hence, I'm all for less wakings at night.
Now, I don't understand something. if I transition her to 2, 2 hour naps during the day and she's supposed to sleep 12 hours at night - how much will she be sleeping in total? 16 hours? Isn't it kind of newbornish?

[momofclaire]

She could have 2, 1.5-2 hour naps depending on what she needs.