6 month old can't stay asleep...

[GreenEggsAndHam]

Just after any advice... I've been trying to help DS fall asleep on his own using shh pat as he currently wakes 15-20 times a night needing my help to go back to sleep. He's not hot/cold, reflux is medicated etc. He will often fall asleep the instant I pick him up but then wake when put back down.

So I've had some success in that he can fall asleep independently, with some crying but with me next to him, but he still wakes back up, usually after 5-10 mins or an hour max.

I'm done in after 6 months of this.

He is overtired as he has short naps too, but I don't know how to fix that in his routine. It's catch 22.

Yesterday he napped better, but still woke constantly or cried from exhaustion. It's breaking my heart.

Help please!

Routine is roughly

Wakes at 6.30
BF every 3 hours
1.5-2 hours A time ( as naps are short)
4 short naps
Bedtimes 6.30

[anna*]

I think you need to push out your A times regardless of the short naps. And try to settle him in his cot without picking him up, so he's falling asleep in his cot (not on you).

[GreenEggsAndHam]

Thanks for the reply. The last two nights I've been working on him falling asleep in his cot and not on me. He has eventually been able to do this but still wakes up after 5/10 mins...

[anna*]

Yeh it's not an instant fix, and you'll need to be extending the A times too. TBH if he's waking that quickly I'd suspect that he's in some discomfort, has his reflux meds been checked against his weight recently? What do you think is going on? Have you stayed with him to watch what happens when he wakes up, i.e. if he jolts, or refluxes, or whatever?

[GreenEggsAndHam]

To be honest his A times are often longer by the time he's actually asleep. I aim for 2 hours max. He's only been on meds a few weeks for reflux, and I requested them due to all the wakings but hasn't made any difference sadly. He tends to either jolt awake or just start to stir and move head from side to side until he's awake again.

He's on some solids now and his reflux feels more under control as he can now lie on his back comfortably which he couldn't before.

Sigh. I just don't know what to do.

[anna*]

(((hugs))) I know this is exhausting.

I think continuing with your independent sleep training is key, and so is pushing out those A times. 2 hours is more appropriate for a four month old - have a look here: Average A times- BOOKMARK ME! he probably needs a good 3 hrs A time to get a decent nap. So I would try increasing his A time by 10-15 mins every 2-3 days and see what that gets you.

[GreenEggsAndHam]

Thank you. I will def give it a go! Xx