SOS 9 mth old sudden night waking

[catcrazy]

Hi!  I'm new to the forum but am really hoping for some help.  My son is 9 months, he's been sleeping through without a night feed since he was about 4 months (he's on formula); he's had some silent reflux and bad wind all his life.  He's had some sleep difficulties in the past - waking for dummy etc.  However, since just before Christmas, he's been increasingly difficult to settle - unless he literally falls asleep on his bottle (which he's never needed to do before), he struggles to go down.  He's now crawling around and standing in his cot, but has been doing this since beginning of December. 
Last night he went down fine, but woke at about half 12 - I was in and out of his room for the following few hours; he would settle for about 10 minutes or so at a time, but then wake crying.  He would stop crying if I picked him up and I would put him down immediately and he'd start again, before touching the mattress.  I can't see any reason for him to be crying e.g. dirty nappy, hungry, pain etc.  I don't engage in conversation, other than to say ssshh or night night.  Every time I thought he was settled and left the room he'd wake again shortly after - I was up for 4 hours before he settled. 

I won't do the controlled crying technique as I disagree with it and prefer the idea of Pick Up/Put down, but am unclear about exactly how to do it - do I stay in the room or leave?  What about when he's awake and happy but screams if I leave?  Should I stay in the room and just wait however many hours it takes for him to fall asleep?   
I'm getting to the end of my tether and need some advice!

[Tweakster]

Hi there, welcome to BW!  Have you read Tracy's books? It's great to hear that you don't agree with CC, this forum does not support it either.  There are gentler ways to get your LO to sleep.

Here's a link that may help with your decision about what method to use:
http://babywhispererforums.com/index.php?topic=62612.0

PU/PD is something that can only be done when all other reasons have been ruled out:
http://babywhispererforums.com/index.php?topic=69187.0
http://babywhispererforums.com/index.php?topic=69177.0

So a few other questions:
- is his reflux controlled with medication?
- is he teething?
- do you think the dummy is a prop or can he replug himself?
- have there been any changes in his life recently?

Could you post what a typical day looks like for him.

[catcrazy]

Hi!
I haven't read Tracy's books although am looking to get one (I didn't really want to subscribe to any particular books). 
In response to your questions -
Yes, he is on Ranitidine and gaviscon for his reflux, although the gaviscon has been reduced during the day with no problems.  The dose of Ranitidine is very small.

I'm not sure about the teething - some nights we have attributed it to teething as he's shown other signs during the day e.g. ear pulling, red cheeks, drooling. However some days he is totally happy and yet still is unhappy at night. 

He is able to find his dummy himself and often he still has his dummy when he's crying.

There haven't been any changes that I can think of, other than he's had a few tummy upsets - and obviously the Christmas holidays. 

His typical day looks like this:

7am wake
7.15 Breakfast - solids e.g. weetabix, toast,
8.30 7oz formula
9 - 9.30 nap
10.30 - 11.00 wakes up and plays
11.45 lunch - solids, 2 courses inc finger food
1.30 7oz formula
2.00 nap
3 - 3.30 wakes and plays
4.30-4.45 tea - solids, 2 courses inc finger food
6.00 wind down time (noisy toys off)
6.30 ish bath time
6.45 - 7.00pm 7 oz formula and bed

I'm not convinced it's separation anxiety as he isn't showing signs of this during the day particularly and is able to settle easily for his naps.  I'm not sure it's pain as often he won't cry if we're in the room.
To start with I thought it was because he'd learnt to crawl and stand in his cot and that seemed more interesting than sleeping, but it's been going on now for a month.

Last night though he went down ok and stayed down all night!! I heard him moaning a few times in his sleep, which he has done the last few nights, and he woke for his dummy, which he found himself, but otherwise he was fine!!   I just can't see a pattern in what might be causing the bad nights and I'm just not sure about the best way to respond.  I know that I need to be consistent, and I think part of the problem at the moment is I can't decide on an approach to stick to.
Any advice??

Many thanks

[Tweakster]

Hi there his first nap is at a very short A time - have you tried him at 3 hrs or more?

Teething and SA both manifest more at night, they know that we go away at night and they will be alone so they 'feel' it more. 

[catcrazy]

He was having 1 1/2 hours nap in the morning and 1 1/2 hours in the afternoon and was still displaying the behaviour; thought it might be that he was having too much sleep during day.  I'm not waking him now though, he sleeps for as long as he needs. 

I think it might be his front top teeth playing up as my friend said her little girl did exactly the same thing.  I guess he's not in raging pain as he's not screaming, but is obviously uncomfortable as he keeps waking and wants me near. 
Last night he woke at 3.15 and was wide awake again but not seemingly in pain, took over an hour to get him to go back down and again I couldn't leave the room.
Guess it's just a case of waiting with him until he's drowsy...and trying not to fall asleep on the floor!!