C.R. asks from Richmond, VA on March 30, 2008
Need Help with 5 Month Old Sleep Patterns
We put my daughter to bed around 7pm each night, after our regular bedtime routine and a bottle. It usually takes about 1/2 hour for her to settle down and go to sleep. She is swaddled (arms free) and has her pacifier and a mobile. She'll sleep usually about 4 hours (on a good night) and then I give her another bottle, sleep for 4 more, and another bottle. However, she will frequently wake after only a couple of hours and fuss until I give her the pacifier again. Sometimes it will be an hour or two of this. I'm currently trying to let her fuss/cry for 10 mins. before I go in. Any suggestions? I've read The Baby Whisperer and Healthy Sleep Habits, and learned a lot, but am still unsure as to how to solve this one.
More Answers
C.B. answers from Washington DC on April 01, 2008
I had the same problem with both my boys around that age. Once they got to be about 7 months they were able to locate the pacis themselves and it was no longer a problem. I would put about 10 in there all over the crib so it was easy for them to reach out grab one.
J.B. answers from Richmond on March 31, 2008
I agree. They go through different phases. Just give her the binky and go on with it. My only suggestion would be to give it to her as soon as she fusses so as not to get her to a state of fully awake and thereby causing a waking pattern that may continue. She may be getting teeth, too.
E.T. answers from Washington DC on March 31, 2008
If she is awake, I would try to settle her immediately and get her back to sleep.
However, around this age, they become more physical in their sleep. If she is asleep, settle her, but try to avoid waking her. Rubbing mine's belly usually worked.
L.A. answers from Washington DC on March 31, 2008
Babies go through different stages in development which affect their sleep patterns. This may be a growth spurt, or she just may be getting more physically active during the day.
I remember when my daughter was that old and went through the same thing. Give it a few days. It'll pass and another stage will take over. It's all good :}
B.R. answers from Washington DC on April 01, 2008
Have you talked to the doctor about starting her on solids? My son started sleeping a lot sounder once we started giving him oatmeal with his last bottle. It's just a lot heavier and keeps him asleep a lot longer. He actually sleeps now for about 8-9 hours straight at night now. Again i don't know the whole situation if you are breastfeeding or not. I just give formula and haven't given him a nighttime (middle of the night) bottle since he was maybe a month or 2 old. If you haven't started solids yet get with the pediatrician and check if its alright since she is 5 months.
T.O. answers from Washington DC on April 07, 2008
C. I think by hearing Kim West speak this Thursday will benefit you details below
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Thursday, April 10, 2008 at 7:00 p.m.
Our Savior Lutheran Church
13611 Laurel Bowie Rd. (Rte 197)
Laurel, Maryland 20708
KIM WEST is a mother of two and a Licensed Certified Social Worker-Clinical (LCSW-C) who has been a practicing child and family social worker for more than thirteen years. Known as The Sleep Lady® by her clients, over the past ten years she has helped more than a thousand tired parents learn to listen to their intuition, recognize their child’s important cues and behaviors, and gently create changes that promote and preserve his or her healthy sleep habits.
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