5 month old night waking - odd pattern

[markash]

I have followed the Baby Whisperer book and it has worked like a charm...

Now my LO is 5 months old, breastfed and has come over a "new routine" over the past 5 days...

Her Normal Routine is:

7:00am:  wake up
7:30:  Nurse (both sides - approx 10 minutes on each side)
9:15:  Nap (45-60mins)(in Crib) (with paci)
10:30 - 12:00: Activity
12:00pm:  Nurse (both sides)
1:15:  Nap (1.5 hours) (in Crib) (with paci)
2:45-4:00:  Activity
4:00:  Nurse (both sides)
4:45 - 6:00:  Activity
6:00pm:  Short cat nap (in Mamaroo swing) (20-30mins)
6:30 - 8:00/8:30:  Activity.  (Gets bath every second day at 8:00)
8:30pm:  Nurse (both sides), rock to sleep with paci, take our paci, lay in crib
9:30pm:  Sleeping (in Crib) (NO paci) - Sleeps steady through the night until 6:30am - 7:00am

THe past 5 days... she will wake up 1 hour - 1.5 hours after we put her down.  She will let us know she's awake by letting out a big whimper or a Mantra cry.  (NOTE:  I don't immediately go to her room, I let these cries go on for a while before I go see what is going on) I have to go to her room, give her a paci for a few minutes until she is almost out, then i remove it and she's out for the rest of the night.  I have also noticed that after i originally rock her to sleep and put her in her crib, she wakes up as soon as i put her down. I then have to give her paci and do sssshhhhushing before she falls back asleep through the night.

Now, this pattern is continuing but she is waking up 3 or 4 times and i am doing the same thing, giving her the paci. It takes less than 10 minutes to get her back to sleep. 

* She has always slept in a swaddle pouch.  (folds over twice and secures with velcro).  We noticed she was opening it up during the night, and since this pattern started, the last 2 nights, she has been sleeping in a "sleep sac". 

* normally no wake ups in the night up until 5 days ago.  (besides a little rustling in her sleep)

* Signs of teething have been present over the last month (rosie cheeks, drooling, hands in mouth)

* I do not believe she is hungry.  When we have her up at 7:00am, we normally play a little bit, change her, put lotions on, etc, and she does not seem to be urgently hungry before we feed her around 7:30. 

* Pacifier is only prop

I am wondering if she is napping too much during the day? That's the only thing I can think of unless this is also has something to do with her paci.  Any ideas or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!!!!!

Thank you!!!

[mamamcgee]

I am no expert here at all, but this sounds to me like she is learning that when the paci falls out you will come in and put it back in and soothe her.  Tracy mentions this in the book as being paci dependent.  I am trying to wean my 4.75 mo old DD off the paci while doing PU/PD so she can sleep better at night and it is really hard.  I know you are saying she isn't hungry, but maybe if you made her bed time a little earlier (say 7:00-7:30 and fed her before she went down) AND did a dreamfeed again at 10:30-11:00, it would disrupt this pattern.  From what I understand from the book, 9:30 is a late bedtime at this age, so maybe she is getting overstimulated???  Anyone else have any ideas?

[Khalam's Mama]

I agree her day is long. I would put here down later for that 1st nap as she only does a short (probably UT) nap and see if you get longer. This may let you drop that CN and put her to bed at 7pmish instead. She does a good PM nap after a longer A time.

I also think the paci is possibly a prop and the rocking to sleep also. maybe she is waking when she tries to transition to the next sleep cycle and wants your help to get back to sleep. Are you able to get her to sleep in the cot? Do you think you want to keep the paci?

[markash]

Thanks for your responses.

I think the paci is part of the issue... although through the night we have never allowed it... and she has slept fine through the night up until last week. 

i think perhaps at 9, 9:30 she is overtired.  last night she was asleep by 9, an hour later she rustled a bit, no cries.  we did not go into her room and she slept great the rest of the night.  woke up at 6:00am.  It is now 8:30 and i am just going to monitor her for the signs of tiredness.  going to attempt no paci for naps today and we'll see how she does! will give the pupd a good go. 

[markash]

I am not sure if I want to give up the paci cold turkey.  It is really nice to have when we are in the car and she gets fussy, or at a restaurant, etc.  What are your experiences with this?  It it possible to rid the paci at nap/bed times and keep it throughout the rest of the day when needed??

[Khalam's Mama]

Your plan sounds good. I personally dont have any btdt experience with paci so not sure. Glad she slept better.