5 mo waking 8-9 times each night!

[first_time_mommy]

Ok, my sanity is gone.  For the past week, Lex has been waking up 8-9 times each night   We are on a 3.5-4 hour EASY and struggling during the day to get in naps that are longer than 45 minutes (problem since 2 mo old).  We have been working toward less nightwakings for 2 months now, (in July she was very sick, got into a horrible bad habit).  We were hovering around 2-3 wakings and 2 feeds up until a week ago.  Then, she started waking at odd times, often 45 minutes after her feeds.  The last three nights have been really bad, and I noticed she was only taking one side during each feed so I tried to drop one of the night feeds.  She didn't seem overly hungry last night, and had no problem waiting until 7 for her feed today. Last night, here is what happened (as far as I can remember).

E-6:45
S-7:00
NW-7:45
NW-8:30
NW-9:15
NW-10:30, dozing off/on until 11:15
E-2:15
NW3:15
NW- 4:30
NW-5:15
NW-6:00
Wake for day 6:55
E-7:05

She does have reflux, but as far as I know, it is under control. when she wakes, we usually just go in and put in her paci, and she goes right back to sleep. Any help would be appreciated, I am a substitute teacher and dredding the day I have to go to school after a night like last night!

[anna*]

Sounds like the paci has become a prop - she can't get to sleep (or through a period if light sleep) without it, but she can't plug it herself.

[Colin Macs Mom]

Hey there -

As we discussed on your other thread I would give it a little time for the new med dosage to kick in. If it doesn't improve, then I think you have a decision to make about the paci. But as we talked about too, it's really tricky with a refluxer!

[first_time_mommy]

Well, after 2 full days of new meds, I think the culprit is the paci.  Last night, she went down at 7pm.  She was up at 7:25, 7:40, 8:00, and this continued (every 15-20 minutes).  Finally, I had enough and we stopped giving the paci.  We had to do shh/pat off and on for about an hour, but she finally fell asleep.  Here is the thing...she slept straight until 1am, at which time I figured I would feed her (normal time is 2ish) since she probably worked up a bit of an appetite being upset earlier in the night.  She had a second feed at 4:30 and then was up for the day at 6.  We had 0 nightwakings. Yay!

I think my issue is now paci weaning, so I am headed over to the props board, because I imagine that naps are going to be a bit rough today.  Thanks for helping me sort this out (and getting me some much needed sleep).

[Colin Macs Mom]

Wow, that's fantastic!!!!!