Sleep Problems

[andrewfayeandmollie]

Hi all,

Major sleep issues. Mollie is 6 months old and after a bumpy start (4 weeks in bed with us) she went down into her crib ok and woke between 2 and 4 times (usually) a night.

She may be starting to teeth now, and we have started weaning and also moved her into her own room and cot now, but prior to this we felt she had outgrown her crib (starting to roll all over the place and no room in crib for this).

After settling for sleep (breastfed and cuddles) she generally goes down ok, but wakes very easily and is a nightmare to settle (rocking and walking). She may fall asleep on you or in your arms but the moment she is placed down she is wide awake and screaming.

She has never been the best at going down, lying down and has only once fallen asleep awake once.
We are considering some methods such as pick up put down and allowing to cry for a few minutes, a quick settle and then back down, but nothing seems to be working atm.

Faye goes back to work in February and we are concerned that if we do not suss this by then things will be even more stressful come then.

Any ideas anyone?

Andrew and Faye (and Mollie too)

[rowdytavern]

I don't know if this would help but my LO woke more frequently in the night so we elevated his crib about 6" and now he sleeps much better at night. We think he might have a bit of acid reflux happening. Maybe that's the case with her too and why she likes to be more upright? Though most acid reflux cases resolve by around 4 months... but that doesn't mean it can't happen.
I'm a ftm, so probably not helping much lol, but it seems like she's got a lot of changes coming at her all at once. Might take her longer to adjust to everything, and then she'll have to adjust again once mom is back to work.

[Erin M]

Hi there!
Sounds like there could be a couple of different things going on.
First off -- you mention this:

She has never been the best at going down, lying down and has only once fallen asleep awake once.

-- is this generally how she's always been (though with 2-4 wakings) and she's just recently started waking up more? 

We think he might have a bit of acid reflux happening. Maybe that's the case with her too and why she likes to be more upright?

This is a really good thought -- I'd have a read of this: Reflux 101 - General reflux information and see if any of it rings a bell.  Both teething and starting solids can trigger reflux flares so there could be something to that.

What does your daytime routine look like right now -- if you could put it in this form:
E -- when does she eat, how much, etc
A -- how long is she awake for, what times
S -- how long does she sleep

that will be a big help.
Generally, what do you do when she wakes? 

[*Ali*]

Shh pat or pupd sound like the best bets to me but if you let us have the info Erin asked for we may also be able to suggests tweaks to her routine.

Have you read any of Tracy Biggs Baby Whisperer books?