7 month old sleeps great for first 3-4 hours then its a nightmare

[*Kara*]

hmmm, If you think he prefers more day sleep and less night sleep then go for it.  BW isn't about a rigid routine, it's about listening to your baby and figuring out what he/she needs and wants  

I have a baby who doesn't follow the "rules" too and that's okay.  As long as your LO is happy and plays well during the day, they are getting the sleep that they need.  Some bubs prefer to get us up early and sleep the day away and no amount of tweaking will change that.  It's taken me a few months of messing with DD's sleep to realize that she just gets way OT if I cap her naps too much and she doesn't sleep any better at night regardless.

[mjohnson33]

After numerous talks with DS pedi we have come to the conclusion that its partly constipation and the other part is a mystery.  So she has referred me to a sleep specialist and I have an appointment on MOnday.  I am doing everything correct here and she agrees with me, so there is some underlying problem which I agree.  So I will let you know what the next step is after Monday.

[EloysH]

I really think it is worth going down the food intolerance route hun 

[mjohnson33]

Thanks Eloysh but they aren't convinced that the small amount of formula he was getting would contribute to an allergy. Wouldn't he get worse as I added more formula?

[EloysH]

But he is on solids though? Could be anything in his diet that is not agreeing with him - dairy, wheat, salicylates, egg, presservatives, additives, etc.  The BM is a wonderful filter and thus masks intolerances.  Many bubs dont show serious discomfort or digestive upset until they are ingesting foods directly.  Constipation is a classic symptom, it is the bodies way of saying " hey I'm struggling with something that I am eating here, its very hard to digest".   If the nights are still wakeful and not due to props I would say stomach upset, they main place to look is diet.    This is coming from teo kids with food intolerances and one night waker due to foods 

[*Kara*]

And the intolerance could be something that you are eating that comes through the breast milk too.

[EloysH]

yes most foods cross through the breastmilk, I had to be dairy wheat soy and salicylate and preservative and additive free when I was breastfeeding to stop Ds2 reacting.

[mjohnson33]

Well I am all done breastfeeding except for one 3 oz bottle during the day of bm. The last 2 nights he has slept better and I am not really sure why except he is in bed with me after his first NW. I went and saw a sleep specialist because I am tired of all these guessing games.  She told me there is nothing wrong with him co-sleeping with me if it gets both of us more sleep.  He does start out in his crib then after I feed him he comes in bed with me and hasnt woke until morning for the past 2 nights.  She also told me that he is too young to be going 3 hours after he wakes up before his first nap and he should still be taking 3 naps a day if he gets short naps.  So I have started putting him down between 2-2.5 hours for his first A time and getting a great AM nap.  So, I am not really going to try an push him anymore to try and do a 3 hour A time, that could be part of all the NW's OT.  I also have him on Enfamil Gentlease pre-mixed formula to help with his belly issues.  He seems to be doing a little better on that than the powdered version. I wish I would have seen this lady a long time ago b/c I feel like i have been trying so many things and nothing has been working b/c I didnt know what was right.  I am hoping this is the beginning to some great nights ahead!~!

[*Kara*]

Excellent update!  I also think that there are times when APOP is the best route.  I freely admit that I tend to rock DD to sleep most of the time... she settles easily and doesn't wake to be re-rocked at all.  She happily drifts off and stays asleep so I see no harm in doing it if she needs it.  With teething and developmental things right now, it's AP city here!

Sometimes I think we get too preocupied with trying to stuff our babies into a cookie cutter mold instead of really watching their cues to see what they NEED. 

Kudos to you for doing what baby needs.  A sign of a great mom

[mjohnson33]

Well, I spoke too soon!! LOL, last night was a disaster and I am not sure what was wrong with him.  Maybe OT?? He only had less than 3 hours of day sleep and long A times.  He fell asleep eating and then went down fine but woke 2 hours afterwards fussing and crying and when I dont pick him up immediately he freaks out and gets worse and worse.  I tried picking him up to see if thats what he wanted and it didnt work.  I know he wasnt hungry b/c he just ate 2 hours ago but I tried a bottle b/c I was desperate to stop the screaming.....he would take a few sucks and cry....he ended up finishing the bottle and falling asleep.  I burped him and held him for a few minutes and he was asleep, then I went to put him down and he started crying immediately, and I couldnt get him quiet this time without picking him up, taking him in a different room and sssshing so loud in his ear!! Then I let him fall asleep and held him for about 20 minutes and went to put him down again and he started screaming as soon as I put him down.  Then I got in bed with him and he finally calmed down.  Why would he do this??

[EloysH]

Maybe he needs the extra comfort because he is uncomfortable?   Just going off what has happened with DS2 who has mad a lot of sore tummy issues, he tends to be very clingy if he is in discomfort or any sort.

[*Kara*]

That sounds like a pain reaction to me hun.  Is he a refluxer?

[EloysH]

Thanks Eloysh but they aren't convinced that the small amount of formula he was getting would contribute to an allergy. Wouldn't he get worse as I added more formula?

just going back, yes he should get worse as you add more formula and dairy in the diet (if it is dairy)... and food intolerances have a build up effect, where as allergy is immediate response.

[jakobsmom]

Sorry just popping in to share our story.  I do agree with Eloise that you are probably dealing with a food intolerance.  We trialed 6 different formulas with DS, and the first couple of days would be great until his body 'recognized' the milk protein.  Our ped told us (just as Eloise said) that it is a commulative affect which is why LO may seem better the first few days after a formula switch.  DS has MPSI and silent reflux and has been on a hypoallergenic formula since 3 months.

DSs symptoms were extreme belly aches with gas, constipation and mucousy poops.  He would also get a slight rash.  It may also be worth trying a different bottle, at the time when things were really bad we were using advent bottles and the nipple would collapse and DS was always very gassy.  Our ped recommended Dr Brown's bottles and out of desperation we gave it a try, that along with the HAF and omeprazole seemed to give DS relief.

We are also very careful about solid introduction, DS could not tolerate apples and we always take introductions very slowly.  Generally 7 days with slow increases as opposed to only 3.  You may also want to revisit your LOs medication dosage, it may be time for an increase.

It really is a guessing game with these poor LOs, but I know that DS can sleep during the night and can self settle so when he has horrible nights I know something is not right.  That being said teething has also created weeks on end, which have been just awful.  Any chance your LO may be teething?

Good luck with everything!

[mjohnson33]

Thanks for the comments ladies.  jakobsmom, I agree with you, my DS can self settle most times....so I also think if he is crying something is wrong. He does have reflux and he is on famotadine twice a day but I have a hard time keeping his 2nd dose down him, it always seems to come right back up.   I do use Dr. Browns bottles for the most part but do have some others that I use as well. 

He's not really getting worse with the introduction of more formula though, so I am not convinced its an intolerance.  I really cannot find a common denominator with his bad nights though, they are kinda out of the blue.  But lately he has been waking up about 2-2.5 hours after I initally put him to bed. He starts by just being restless and moving around then he ends up waking himself up.  Last night I was able to put him off by about 20 minutes with a binky and pat but then he started getting upset and I had to pick him up.  I went ahead and gave him a bottle b/c the last time he had one was 5 hours ago.  He drank most of it very fast but when we got down to the last 2 oz, he kept wimpering and letting out little cries.....then I tried to get him burp and couldnt (of course, b/c he was passed out) I held him upright for about 20 minutes and put him in bed and immmediately he started moving about.  Looked like he was uncomfortable and making grunting noises.  But after 5 or so minutes he fell asleep. And slept really well until 3:55am when he wokeup and just started talking and playing.  30 mins later he was back asleep until 7am this morning. So, for the most part, last night was pretty good. But I still feel like there is an underlying cause for his restlessness and wakeups but like I said, the sleep specialist doesnt believe so.....

Also, last night I thought maybe I would try motrin and teething tablets in case of teeth at BT and same wakeups occurred.....