My 10 mth old was sleeping thru the night up until about a week ago. This has coinsided with his new set of top teeth that came thru just after new years - which has been causing eating problems - as he's not eating as much as he used - he's now waking up for a milk feed at about 3 - 4am !!! Very frustrating.
How much milk does your baby drink during the day. I ensure that mine drinks between 400mls - 550mls. The more the better. Esp if she's not eating so well. If shes drinking all the milk you give her at night then shes hungry, otherwise it could be that shes expecting you to be at her side throughout the night.
Mine's like that some nights - he'll hold me hostage in his room (once for about 1 hour !) As soon as I think he's fallen asleep, i'll creep out and he turns around and starts crying. (although I've noticed its not 'real' crying no tears. The other night I just left him to it, as he wasn't really crying - just trying to get me to pick him up - and within about 10 mins he was asleep without me in his room.
Here are some tips that have worked for me in the past:
1) To try and get her to poo in the day, give her a couple of ounces of water in the morning and then again about 2 hours later, hopefully she will poo by 7pm ! Its worked for us.
2) Increase her milk feeds in the day - and/or try and bulk her up with some heavy foods if she takes it. Like bananas, bread, cereals like weetabix/cheerios, potatoes/sweet potatoes and baby fromage frais can be quite filling.
3) Give her some more milk before she goes to bed. As much as she will take.
4) Let her fall to sleep awake in her crib - not in your arms. Preferably without you in her room. Because when she's waking up she's probably expecting you to still be there by her side.
5) When she does wake up try not to pick her up, otherwise she'll expect it everytime. Put your hand on her chest and either pat it lightly or stroke and say something calming like 'it's alright' 'it's ok' or 'shush' sound if she's used to that. She will eventually calm down without you having to pick her up. Once shes drifting off to sleep - stop the patting and kep you hand quite firmly on her chest so she knows you are still there and eventually take it off and back off a bit by bit. She'll probably turn her head around to check if your still there. If shes bananas then you'll have to pick her up but don't rock her to sleep, put her down once shes stopped crying.
6) Is she waking up because she's cold? Ever since buying one of those warm sleeping bags he sleeps better.
7) Is he teething ? Mine gets irritable at night esp when he had to fall asleep - he'll get really clingy ! it usually happens to the run up to when the teeth actually come through - up to 7 days before !
I hope these tips help you. I'm no expert - but have done a hell of a lot of reading up !
