Author Topic: 7-month night terror  (Read 819 times)

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Offline emjohnson

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7-month night terror
« on: December 31, 2005, 05:06:31 am »
Avery began sleeping through the night when she was 4-months old.  I would DF her around 11p and she would sleep until I woke her at 6a to start our day.  When I think about it now, I guess she never really went past 7/8 hours at night.  Now that she is 7-months, I know that she should be doing without the DF, but at around 6-months she began waking in the night.  This happened I believe because of a growth spurt followed by croup.  I went ahead and nursed her twice a night then, usually around 3a and then again at 6a and still doing the DF at 11p.  Around this same time, I noticed that she was not nursing as much during the day and I was not getting the same amount of milk when I pumped.  It has now reached the point where she wakes up every 2-3 hours.  I know that she is not hungry, but she has refuses to go back to sleep without help.  I tried using a pacifier and this worked, but now she throws a fit until I nurse her.  I have reached my limit and am now refusing to nurse her back to sleep.  I am able to use the pacifier, but have noticed that she is waking more frequently now, especially when the pacifier falls out.  I feel at a loss.  My first daughter had her problems, but we were able to fix them at 9-months and she has been a fantastic sleeper ever since.  I was hoping to avoid these issues with Avery, but am noticing that she has a personality all her own. 

I am proud of myself tonight.  I layed her down at 7:30p.  She woke up at 9:30p and would not be soothed with her pacifier.  I went ahead and picked her up and calmed her down.  Once back in the crib she would cry again.  I did the pat and shush, with pacifier in place, and she was able to fall back asleep after I left the room.  I did hear her fuss a little, but so far not noise.  I don't know if I can put up with this much longer.  I could use any advice.  I am in my last semester of nursing school and Christmas Break ends in two weeks.  I am going to need my sleep.  I was also wondering how long I should swaddle her.  She rubs her eyes and scratches her face when she is tired.  I wonder if I will regret the pacifier and swaddling in a few more months when she is unable to sleep without them.

Help, I am desperate. 
Erica :(  :cry:


Offline marlowho

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7-month night terror
« Reply #1 on: January 02, 2006, 01:45:20 am »
First of all (((HUGS))).  It is hard to navigate the baby stage most of the time.  You're not alone! 
You mentioned something interesting when you said she's not taking as much during the day.  Have you tried working on this?  Are you feeding solids? 
Also, how are her daytime naps? 
Sometimes going back to the basics can put everything back on track.
Those are the suggestions I've thought of so far.  HTH!
-Marlo, mommy to
Madeline Marie (3/9/03)
Noel Julienne (5/25/05)
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Offline emjohnson

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7-month night terror
« Reply #2 on: January 02, 2006, 06:14:43 am »
Thanks for the suggestions.  I tried to hold her off as long as possible with solids, she started the cereal at 6 months and we are trying a few other fruits and vegetables now.  I started with the other solids when I noticed that she was not eating as much in the day.  I try to nurse her as much as I can, but this age can be tough, she is more interested in the lights on the christmas tree.  I have noticed that she sleeps well during the day anywhere from one to three hour naps and then we have the problems in the evening.  Tonight, I layed her down at 6:30p and she napped for about 30 min.  I tried to get her back to sleep but she just threw a fit.  I picked her up finally at 7p gave her her bath and fed and then tried to lay her down for the night at 8p.  She faught even more at that time, but was able to fall asleep, she then woke at 8:45p and fussed a little, but I refused to get her up.  She fell back asleep on her own.  I will see what I can do with her, it just is difficult because she goes to daycare while I am at school.  I don't always know what they are doing and her schedule can change between there and home.  Thanks again for your advice.


Offline marlowho

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7-month night terror
« Reply #3 on: January 02, 2006, 17:37:14 pm »
Sounds like you're doing great- it's so hard though sometimes!
Best wishes for when you do go back and hope you know you can vent here anytime- or seek more advice- if that transition back into daycare brings up more issues.
Happy New Year!
-Marlo, mommy to
Madeline Marie (3/9/03)
Noel Julienne (5/25/05)
Eloise Anne (8/3/09)

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"Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be." -Abraham Lincoln