habitual night wakings - UPDATED really need some support : (

[Pigeon]

We just reposition him, stroke his back a few times and that's generally it. If he's really squirmy etc we pick him up till he's calm, then put him back down (awake). But we're never in there more than 5 mins, generally its closer to 2.
I do hear what you're saying about the positioning. We did try him on his back the other day in the daytime and he went to sleep within 15 mins. But 30 mins later he woke again and was screaming, he was so tired. That went on for 30 mins, then we eventually gave in, put him on his tummy, his eyes closed within two secs and he was off! Its just what he knows now. 

[Pigeon]

Well, wish me lots of luck. I need your prayers and good luck vibes for tonight, we have decided that enough is enough and are putting Billy down on his back, unswaddled tonight. I am terrified and have no idea what will happen. But it can't be worse than last night (awake at 12.30, 2, 3.30 and then 6.45). Oh yes, it can, I could not manage to settle him back again......

[momofclaire]

Why are you terrified of putting him on his back unswaddled? 
Can you post your daytime routine for me? 
Have you been feeding him overnight?
What generally settled him last night?

[Pigeon]

Why are you terrified of putting him on his back unswaddled? 

Because we've NEVER done it before (on his back or unswaddled) and I didn't know what to expect. He woke NINE times (including twice early evening) but put himself back to sleep for five of those. Twice I fed him (df which he was awake for at 10.30 and again at 3.45).
Our routine is something like this (on a good day!):
6.30 feed
8 - sleep
9.30 - feed
11/11.30 - sleep
12.45 - feed
2 ish - sleep (this is where he will generally only have 45 mins or so)
3.45 - feed
5 ish - sleep for 45 mins
6.15 - feed, bath top-up feed and bed for 7 pm.
He has two good long sleeps in the morning and shorter ones in the pm. This morning, he was so tired after his night he slept for 1 3/4 hours and I had to wake him at 9.30.

Tomorrow I'm going to start back sleeping in the day too. No idea how much it will disrupt us (at the moment, I put him down, leave the room and five mins later he is asleep...

PS: Putting my forearm on his torso (hand on shoulder) whispering "shh" for a bit settled him last night (when he was roaring, which was only a couple of occasions).

[MDHmommy]

I know the many wakes on the first night were hard, but honestly - the fact that he put himself back is HUGE. Stick with your plan, it will improve. It might be the swaddle was waking him.

Those wakes where he's putting himself back to sleep - are you in the room? Or can you just hear him from your bedroom?

[momofclaire]

How did it go last night?

I agree with Kate that although it seems rough it looks like you are making progress.

[Pigeon]

Going really well, improvement each night. Second night was 4 wakings (3 putting him back and one feed) and last night was 4 wakings but 3 putting himself back!!  (and one feed).

Those wakes where he's putting himself back to sleep - are you in the room? Or can you just hear him from your bedroom?

No, we just hear him from our room (or should that be I just hear him  ). No need to go in!

ps: haven't started daytime unswaddling yet. Well, we did yesterday, but it was a disaster. He went to sleep ok (in about 15 mins, with a bit of grumbling) but woke 30 mins later SCREAMING and was inconsolable/impossible to put back. So we're going to make another effort tomorrow, if tonight goes well.

[momofclaire]

Ahhh, improvement is good to see isn't it. I hope it keeps up, you are doing great.

[Pigeon]

Uh-oh, last night was a disaster. Woke 6 times, one of those for 40 mins, when I eventually caved in and fed him back to sleep. One time was 30 mins too. Put on his back for naps today, he's had 30 mins and has woken up crying, cannot go back off. 

[momofclaire]

It is often two steps forward and one back.  Stay consistant.   

Post back with questions or let me know what the main trouble seems to be today. 
Myia

[Pigeon]

Well, I haven't posted for a while but just to let you know - the improvements have been dramatic. So much so that 2 nights out of the last four, he has slept through until 6 am!!!!!!  He's found his thumb (praise be!) and we've introduced a bottle of formula as his dream feed - he regularly takes between 5 and 7 oz and that sees him through till morning. The other 2 nights he has woken at 5.30, had a bit of party for 30 mins or so, then gone back to sleep until 6.45 ish. Hoping he will get the message that its not morning then! 
Thanks for all the support!

[momofclaire]

That is great news, Laura!  He's growing as I can see from your new avatar.  His eyes are so blue! 
Thanks for the update, I am glad things are going well.