My almost 6-month old had been more or less sleeping through the night for the past 1.5 - 2 months (from 7/730 - 7am, with 1 DF). About 3 weeks ago, he came down with the flu and started waking many times over the course of the night - I BF him each time he woke. He's been well for the past week, but the NWs continue, usually about 3-4am and we'll be up trying to soothe him for 1-2hours before he sleeps again till 7am. I've resisted BF-Ing him at night and instead use the pacifier and patting to soothe him.
I still try as much as possible to stick with the routine posted below, in the hope that one day he'll go back to sleeping through the night. Of the past 3 weeks, he slept from 7-7 on 2 nights (no variation from normal routine on those nights)
How old is your child?
25 weeks (a week shy of 6 months)
What’s his/her daily routine?
WU: 7
E: 7-730
A:
S: 9-11 (1.5-2hr nap, but we usually have to pat him to help him transition to next sleep cycle)
E: 11/1130 (BF)
E: 12 (Solids)
A:
S: 130-3 (30mins - 1.5hrs)
E: 3/3.30 (BF)
A:
S: 4.00-5.00 (30-45mins)
E: 5.30 (90ml formula)
E: 6 (Solids)
A: Bathtime by 630
E: 645/7, followed by
S: 7-730
DF:11-1130
What’s nap routine?
Bring into darkened room or put into ergo carrier if out, stick pacifier in and pat to sleep. Put down in crib once eyes close.
How long are naps?
30mins - 2hrs. Naps are shorter when outdoors
What's bedtime routine? Time?
Bath, change, breastfeeding then sleep. If he falls asleep on the breast ill unlatch him and put him in his crib. If he doesn't and starts whining when on the breast, I'll put him back in his crib (sometimes with a pacifier if he opens his mouth) and he will toss and turn anywhere from 5mins - 40 mins before sleeping.
Do you bottle or breastfed??
Both. Mostly BF, except for 530pm feed and DF
How much? or how long?
If bottle, 4ozs (he won't take anymore). If BF, about 5-8 mins on one side. (I have only breastfed on one side since the supply on my other side is extremely low/nonexistent)
If breastfed.. one side or both?? (at each feed)
As above.
How many wakes per night?
1-3
What’s your LO like when waking at night? How long is he/she up?
Starts off whimpering then escalates after awhile. Occasionally able to put himself back to sleep within 5 mins, but if that doesn't happen, his cries escalate and he starts tossing and turning and kicking his legs frantically.
When you go to him/her is she fussing or crying? Or is it a mantra cry?
Fussing or crying, depending on when I go in. I usually don't go in too soon, until it escalates to crying.
What have you tried to settle??
Pacifier, and patting although I have to almost pin him down to pat him because he keeps tossing and turning. I try not to feed him because its not the hungry cry. Sometimes, when I've tried for 1-1.5 hrs and he can't settle, my husband will go in and do the same thing and can get our son to sleep within 15-20 mins,
What do you do for A time and how long is it?
Bath, eating solids, tummy time, jumper to and play gym, walks around the park and shopping malls, TV sometimes.
In mornings, A time is about 2hrs. In afternoons, 2-3 hrs.
Are there developmental issues such as teething or milestones?
No teething, but he has been trying to sit.
Have you introduced cereal? Why, how much, and how many times a day? (for LO’s under 6 months)
Yes. Feed him veggie at 12pm (2tbsps) and cereal at 6pm (2tbsps mixed with 1 oz formula). He appeared ready for food and as advised by lead. His NWs started before I introduced the evening feed, but it could also have been because of his illness then.
Also started solids at noon for more than a month and no issues initially.
Do they have a prop? If so what is it?
Pacifier (if pacifier drops out he still continues sleeping though) which calms him and helps him to sleep.
During naps, we hold and pat him to sleep before putting him down.
Do they have a lovie?
No.
Any advice on what should or shouldn't be done is appreciated! I'm back at work next week (after a 6montb hiatus) and my job is very stressful so I don't know how I would survive on so little sleep. Thanks in advance!
