Please help - multiple night wakings and EASY

[Tobysmum]

My baby is 9.5 months old and has been an angel/textbook baby (until now!!!)  For the past month or so, he has been waking up a few times per night (usually used to wake up once) and it's getting worse!  Last night was just unbelievable, he was up almost hourly.  I have tried to let him cry for a while to see if he self-soothes but more often than not he just gets himself into a real state and I have to go to him.  The only thing that seems to pacify him is breastfeeding him and I know this isn't the answer!  I may well have brought this on myself as it started when we were on vacation and we were sharing a room and also sharing a house with other family members so I probably reacted to him much quicker than usual because I didn't want him waking the whole house up and he may have forgotten how to self-soothe. Anyway, that's when it started.

So, what do I do?  I did stop the dreamfeed at about 7.5 months I think and that's sort of when these problems started too.  I started the dreamfeed again this week but that hasn't helped.  I have really identified that it's unlikely to be a hunger thing = more of a Mummy pacifying thing!
Our routine is fairly consistent but not always due to various factors (he comes to a exercise class with me 2 mornings per week which changes his nap time and he also goes to a sitter 2 mornings per week) - not ideal but it hasn't been an issue up until now.
Also, I've found it more difficult to get back onto the EASY routine as he's been feeding all night and is therefore not hungry first thing in the morning.
Our routine today has been as follows:
7.00 ACTIVITY wake/play (no feed as I'd fed him all night!)
8.30 EAT solids (fruit/cereal_
8.45 ACTIVITY - play
9.15 EAT breastfed (I think I fed him I can't quite remember!)
9.30 SLEEP nap 1 hr approx (I woke him up)
12.00 EAT solids (veg, meat)
12.30 SLEEP
EAT 2.00 he woke up hungry so I gave one boob and then went back to sleep for 30 mins
BACK TO SLEEP 2.45 Breatfed other boob
3.00 ACTIVITY
5.00 EAT solids
6.00 ACTIVITY Bath
6.30 Fed (breastfed both sides)
6.45 light off/sleep by 7pm.

I know it all looks a bit of a mess but I am generally trying for EASY!  He didn't get much sleep last night due to so many night wakings so that probably didn't help.

So, what do I do?  Do I do a dreamfeed or not?  What do I do if he wakes in the night?  Should I try water?  SSHH Pat does not work - I've tried many times. 

Please help me!  Sorry so long!

[hoosiermama]

I am no expert, but I think at this age you could try Pick up/put down.  There is lots of good information about it on the sleep boards.  Is he teething or has he hit any milestones lately?  This could also be cause for disruption.  Hang in there!  This too shall pass (it's my mantra!)

[Tobysmum]

Forgot to mention, I have tried PU/PD and it hasn't worked but maybe I haven't given it a chance.  How many times could you do it before it's successful.  Yes, am sure it will pass - my DH is at the end of his tether - he's SOOO busy at work, goes in early, gets home late and he needs his sleep!  I think we've just had it so easy and that's why it's all a bit of a shock really!  Teething wise, he has 4 teeth and we didn't even notice he was teething really!  Perhaps it's that.  All he wants to do is nurse though - maybe I give in too easily.  It's difficult to let an angel/textbook baby cry at all when they've been sooo good up til now!

[hoosiermama]

That's true!  I haven't done pu.pd as my son isn't old enough yet,  but there is a whole board about it in the sleep section.  I hear that it is pretty effective, but it does take a while.  Hang in there you are doing a great job! 

[becky1969]

Teething could definitely be an issue. Some babies suck to soothe the pain. Have you tried a pain reliever before bed? Even if some teeth are in, there could be some more close behind! My LO got 6 one after the other, and it was a really bad 2 months in terms of sleep, even with pain reliever.