When your baby won't sleep well

[missmc]

How long do you let it go before doing something about it?

Jace used to be a decently good sleeper. Getting up once a night, occassionally twice. For about 6-7 weeks now he's been getting up anywhere from 3-6 times a night (usually on the higher end), from 7pm-6am. Pretty much every time he wakes up he wants to eat and usually ends up in bed with us (he has been sleeping in his own room since he was somewhere between 1-2 months old). We end up not getting much sleep becuase he is such a noisy sleeper and likes to sleep all spread out. I suspect that Jace's sleep is suffering as well because he's starting to get dark circles under his eyes.

I was telling dh how I was going to buy the No Cry Sleep Solution so I could figure out what was disrupting his sleep. I'm to the point where I don't think it's something he's just going to grow out of. Dh was adamantly disagreeing with me saying that it's a phase that he'll grow out of. I initially thought that as well but now that it has almost been two months I'm beginning to think otherwise. Besides, dh isn't the one who has to wake up and feed him.

Another thing is that I'm figuring out that my sitter has the TV on ALL DAY. If we turn on the TV, Jace will strain his neck to watch it. Dh and I are getting really bothered by it (at home we typically play with the TV off). Plus, she turns a radio way up (in the room) while he naps during the day so that the other two children don't wake him. But usually they are sleeping at the same time he is.

Now that you have the background, I guess I want to know:
1. Do you think this is a phase or should I address the situation now?
2. Do you think my sitter is causing part of the problem with the radio?
3. Do you think the TV has anything to do with it?

If you have any advice/experience, please let me know! Thanks!

[kendra76]

1. Do you think this is a phase or should I address the situation now? It could be a phase.. Andrew's sleep changed a bit during a growth spurt.. I swear by the no cry sleep solution.. it really helps you out IMHO - If you really want him to sleep in his bed, the NCSS really helps.. If Andrew wakes up in the middle of the night, we do go to him, but we don't pick him up unless he is really crying.. Andrew normally fusses since he can't find his sippy cup or paci.. I guess it depends on why he is getting up.. consistency is key though.. kids start picking up on if they cry they end up in your bed.. I am not saying that is a bad thing, but if none of you sleep good that way, then you need to find a solution that will work..

2. Do you think my sitter is causing part of the problem with the radio? not necessarily.. Andrew has sleep sounds on all night when he is in his bedroom.. He can sleep without it though, but he actually prefers it

3. Do you think the TV has anything to do with it? DH is a SAHD.. the TV is always on.. Andrew and DH like the background noise. Andrew will only watch a couple shows during the day, but it's not like he is just sitting in front of the TV.. He is always on the move..

[AugustMommy]

Def. sounds like a growth spurt to me...we went thru that every few mos. and each time it was due to a growth spurt!
I notice that sleep patterns change during teething too.

I hear ya on dad not having to get up & do anything! Been there!

[Kitty]

We had the same sleep problems, and yes he did grow out of it, but it takes a while. Like a few months. Now he's 15 mos and is only up 1-2 times at night. We tried the NCSS, but really didn't have too much luck. It just takes time. And every time we travel it backslides. Personally I think the TV is not so good for sleep. There can be some really disturbing or even just not-so-soothing images that even really little guys can pick up on. I don't think TV is evil, but IMO I don't think it should be on all day. Asnd even if you're not actually watching it, it does divert the caregiver's attention and I think LO's pick up on this.
:hugs: Sleep stuff is really difficult, I know.

[hanvan]

I think its hard to say if its a phase or a new habit. I know that Saige couldn't sleep w/ noise. Some kids are just more senstive to noises than others. I'd play around with some things and see if something helps

[TripMomma]

Now that you have the background, I guess I want to know:
1. Do you think this is a phase or should I address the situation now?
2. Do you think my sitter is causing part of the problem with the radio?
3. Do you think the TV has anything to do with it?

If you have any advice/experience, please let me know! Thanks!

1- Could be a phase, teething, growth spurt, or a need for a change in his food amounts. My babies have been sleeping 7-8pm to 7-8am since like 4 1/2 months but I have noticed with the trio that when teething or in a GS they do wake up at least once a night. I also noticed when we tried cutting them down to 4 bottles a day (they get 7-8oz bottles) they started waking up in the night, went back to 5 bottles a day and they went back to STTN.

2- I doubt it....our babies go to sleep to a CD of classical music every night...but also fall asleep for naps without it.

3- Probably not, the TV is on all day here and it hasn't been a problem.

I would start lowering the amount of food you give him when he wakes in the middle of the night and upping what you give in the day. This was a tip given to me by a trip mom when I was trying to get mine to STTN and it worked for us. Good luck!

[missmc]

Thanks, everyone, for the advice. I had wondered about the growth spurt and teething but didn't think that either of them would last this long...unless they are piggy backing on one another. He still doesn't have any teeth and as far as I can tell, his gums aren't swollen and I don't see anything pushing through.

Katrina - to your point, today I told the sitter to up the amount of milk he's drinking - that may work or not. He knows when he doesn't want anymore and definitely lets you know. I've tried to give him ebm after nursing in the evenings (thinking he wasn't getting enough) but he refuses it. I guess when he wakes up at night I'll give him one boob instead of two. :)

After seeing how upping his intake during the day is, I think I'm going to start playing a CD at night and see if that helps too.

[sarahlynn]

could you or do you turn a fan on in his room at night? that might be worth a try..just a constant background noise..not sure abotu the tv issue..i think luceas daycare runs a radio when she sleeps now that i think of it..

maybe a litte bit later bedtime and a bath right before bed to wear him out? hmm just some ideas..

((((((hugs))))))))

i wish i had more advice girl but im still gettin up off and on with a just about three years old AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH :)

[missmc]

We have a small fan and a humidifier running in his room, but now that I think about it, he does wake up awfully easy. (If dh sneezes or coughs, he wakes up, but he's so loud it wakes me up too!)

I started putting him to bed 30 min earlier recently to see if that would help and for a day or two it did...then it stopped. And it wasn't like I was forcing him...he was doing it on his own, I could tell that he was tired and was just getting him ready earlier than usual. The poor little guy is constantly rubbing his eyes.

Sorry about your daughter still waking you...:hugs:

[ColtsFan1912]

Honestly I've really done nothing about it. Caleb hasn't never been the best sleeper. He goes through phases a lot due to teething or growth spurts. Ijust learn to adjust my schedule to his. It's not easy sometimes. .. little sleep. . .but it works best for him.