6 Month Old Went from Sleeping All Night to Refusing to Sleep!

I probably don't have the sort of advice you're looking for as both my kids pretty much were the same way. Some kids just need more attention, one on one time and comfort from mom. This is particularly difficult when mom works - even at home. So, I found it easier to give in and everyone got the sleep they needed - indeed, I got some extra naps that I wouldn't have taken otherwise as I would often fall asleep with them.

The one thing I can tell you is that while some might call this a bad habit, it does not last forever and with my kids, once they reached the point this was no longer necessary, we NEVER had any issues with them getting up at nite. One thing that did help us was the nighttime CD by JIm Weiss - it's stories and the tone of voice is incredibly soothing - it puts me to sleep.

And, again, I think this varies per child, so don't feel bad that this is what your child needs. My 13 year old son would actually still like me to lay down with him at nite and he is the most independent child you can find, so it's not that he's a mama's boy, insecure, a wimp or whatever. He just has a strong need for physical closeness and attachment. My older son wouldn't even consider allowing me to do this by the time he was 7 or 8. Listen to your instincts and do what's best for your child - this isn't manipulation of any sort - this a child naturally seeking closeness and attention from their parent(s). I have found that when you meet these needs when they are young, they end up more independent, mature and self confident as teens.

Read the book, Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child. It is fantastic!

I have a program called Sleep Sense. I used it when my DS was 5 months. It worked great. Then I never messed with it again. Until I started having the 2.5yr old problems...won't go to bed & don't want to nap. I just was going through how to get him to sleep again & I was going to be doing the super nanny way, but i remembered that I had this Sleep program. I read it last night & it has a section for toddlers. I will be starting the program again Saturday night. I know it will work. It did before. So if you want it let me know your e-mail address & I will send it to you.

ok R. I have 3 yr old and the same thing happened to me when he was a baby. When I went to put him down for a nap or even at night he would wake a scream until i comforted him. Then I thought of something. I would lay him in his crib and hold his hand but in your case her chest. And when he fell asleep i removed my hand lightly and replaced it something a blanket or stuffed animal or sometimes even his bottle. Then when that nolonger worked they say that it is good for them to cry. I layed him down and walked out of the room closeign the door slightly behind me. yes it took forever for him to stop crying and finally go to sleep but eventually it worked and when he realized that i was not LEAVEING him he become better and better with sleeping.
the best of luck.
H. a

i think something happens at 6 months that makes a wonderfuly sleeping baby change their ways. my son slept through the night starting at 6weeks (of course every so often when we hit a milestone he would have a phase that lasted maybe a week were he would wake up a few times). now he is 7 months and for almost the past month he has been waking like clockwork at midnight and around 4am for a feeding. fortunately, he does go back to sleep after having a baby.. but it is still not fun to wake up twice a night to make a bottle.