7 Month Old Still Wakes Every One to Two Hours at Night

Is it possible she has an ear infection? Whenever my daughter acted like that, an ear infection or new tooth was usually the culprit. I'd try a dose of tylenol or motrin and see if that improves things. Then, at least you'll know if it's something along those lines.

I really hate the cry it out method-never worked, just made my daughter more upset. Try a banana before bedtime-they're supposed to have sleep-inducing properties.

Hi, My son really had a hard time with sleeping, and at about 9 mos he just changed--I read later that the sleep center of the brain really starts maturing, 9-10 mos.

I know it's no help now, but the end is in sight.

I ended up making him cry-it-out at 10 mos because he really then was just doing it for habit, but I could tell that there was a difference. Prior attempts at crying-it-out just didn't work--but I am telling you, I could just tell when something clicked and he was able to sleep--then I did have to train him. But at 7 mos, and 8 mos, he just couldn't do it.

Good Luck. R.

Have you considered babywearing and co-sleeping? Sounds to me like she wants more time with you. Some babies really want and NEED more together time/closeness than others, so even if your son slept in his crib just fine, she sounds like she just needs some more bonding.

After you let her cry it out, I'm not surprised that she needs even more bonding - if her needs are not met by her primary caregiver, she will begin to lose trust that you are capable of caring for her. (and for anyone who thinks this is a far-fetched scare tactic, please read causes of Reactive Attachment Disorder). I am NOT saying that she is going to develop RAD, I'm just saying that babies cry because they have needs. If her needs are unmet (like screaming for an hour just to be held), it is a possibility even if not likely.

If you're willing to co-sleep, that's sounds like your best bet! This is the only way I get ANY sleep. My daughter is 8 months old & would do exactly the same thing if we didn't co-sleep. Also around 7,8,9 months they go through separation anxiety, that might be why he cries when you put him down. Our daughter doesn't cry when I put her down but if I walk out of the room & she can't see me anymore she'll have a fit! Try to be patient, I know first hand it's hard but they're only babies for such a short time. I know that it won't be too far off in the future that I'll be able to sleep uninterupted again and that helps me get through!

Hi, I have a now 9 month old son that is very much the same way. I too breast fed him up until he cut teeth (he now has 4 teeth) about 2 months ago - he started biting and I didn't think that was funny... Anyhow, he still usually awakens at least once each night and he only started sleeping long stretches (6 hours max) when he was around 6 months. I hate to say it but the only thing that worked was formula.. We started with Similiac Isomil -soy -(the milk hurt his tummy) and recently went back to Similiac Advance. I also have to time his naps and night-night EXACTLY. He naps at 9:30/10am until 11:30 and then again at 2:30/3 and I have to wake him up by 5 so he'll go down at 8:30/9... and there's no keeping him up late or he'll be so cranky that its impossible to get him to sleep soundly .. too early and he'll be ready to take on the world at 3/4am. Even now he awakens at 6am. I have to keep this schedule on the weekends too.. Saturday I was at the mall trying to shop and I somewhat messed up the schedule and he was soooo bad today.
Also, I wanted to throw in that your baby is probably also beginning the seperation anxiety phase. Troy, my son, can't be more than 2 feet from me lately or else he'll start wailing. It also doesn't help that he's getting more teeth. The bottom 2 came in at 6mo. Then it took 2 months to get even a glimpse of another tooth. But he had the snotty nose and irritability throughout. This past month he got a "fang" and a front tooth.. but the second front tooth is pushing through now and then of course the other "fang". I know what you mean, I'm going crazy at this stage too...

Hi E.,
I don't have a ton of advice either b/c I was in the same boat with my son at that age. If it makes you feel any better he started sleeping better out of the blue around 13 months and is now a wonderful sleeper!

A book that did help us a lot is Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child. One thing I wondered about as I read your post is could she possibly have an intolerance to something in your breastmilk? With my son, it was dairy. He was really sensitive and I noticed that when I "cheated" on my no dairy diet he had a worse time sleeping. Just a thought. Just remember it will get better! Good luck.
K.

I don't know what to say as I have a tough time with my son. I have to agree with some of the other posts, maybe co-sleeping is that answer. What about getting one of those cribs that attach to your bed? Then you can comfort her but you don't have to worry as much about her being in the middle of the bed? My husband didn't like the co-sleeping idea because he was nervous about the baby in bed with us, so we never did it. It seems to me like anything you can do to get some sleep is what you should do. Also, what about letting her sleep on her tummy? I know that a lot of people would yell at me for saying that, but my son has been sleeping on his tummy since he could roll and he could never sleep at all on his back, unless he was tightly swaddled. I wish you the best.

This may not help, but my daughter is 4.5, and from the time I was 5 mos. prego with her, I havnet' slept thru the night. She still wakes up at least once a night for a drink, or potty break, but usually it's like 2-3 times a night and most of the time she sleeps with me now. It's exhausting. I thought I was losing my mind for many years. It's a wonder what a good night of sleep with do for ya.

Take heart, this will pass too, one day.

E.

I'm also a supporter of safely practiced cosleeping - as a social worker who used to work in a mternity home w/ young moms I was against it - until I had my own babies - instinct and lack of sleep changed my mind - both of my children have co-slept - I believe in the fourth trimester - that human babies are the most vulnerable/dependent of all babies and are not really ready to come out but would be too big for us to deliver if they waited any longer - I believe they need that transition - and some babies long for that beyond early infancy - (another great thing to try is a bath w/ her and let her nurse - so womblike) - as for cosleeping - the truth, after my first I thought I wouldn't do it again - so much criticism - but she did pretty well - by your dau's age my husband was getting her to bed for naps - she wouldn't go for me - then she did nighttime for me - there was regression back to our bed if she was feeling clingy or didn't feel well - she still comes at 3 but readjusts to her bed again w/o problems - our youngest is now 17 months and I just started transitioning her - she's done even better - so, now I think I should've coslept longer w/our oldest - and I even feel bad that maybe she didn't get as much "security" from me - it may also be that our baby has some "transitional" objects from our bed w/ my scent - a womb sound bear - gloe bear - then she loves and takes dolls and maybe a binky to chew on for teething - (neither one of my kids are/were binky dependent or even really like them for that matter - mostly for teething) - and my oldest was never attached to anything until a few months ago - anyway, if you don't want to try cosleeping then think about these things - some favorite object w/ your smell, having someone else put her to bed - mine generally separate better for someone else, where does she nap - try starting there - this worked w/ our 1st but our 2nd has been the reverse. safe cosleeping means not being overly tired (smile - good luck w/ that), no medication, no alcohol, not being very overweight, no blankets, pillows, ... also, watch if someone else is in bed w/ you - they won't be "alert" to her - they even sell a little safe bed to put in bed - or get a cosleeper - I think they're great but they didn't work w/ mine - the minute I put them in or moved them over the woke - here's the thing - you'll get more sleep - no promises of really good sleep b/c you'll be on "alert" w/ her in bed - also the nursing - which it seems brings her great comfort - will keep you awake and more tired - not only from the lack of sleep but from the release of hormones - wishing you the best of luck and support whatever you decide! take care! and know that you will get rest again someday!

I can't offer any help I just wanted to offer my sincere condolences! My 7 month old does not sleep either and I have a 2-1/2 year old too so i know (somewhat) what you are going through. It is exhausting. hang in there and I hope it works out soon for you!

I know many people don't believe in it, but I really think sometimes you just have to give up and let the baby sleep with you. What works for one baby sometimes just won't work for another. My daughter was very independent and never had trouble sleeping by herself, sometimes to the point where I worried about her attachment to us! I guess we're destined to worry no matter what, huh? Anyway, my son (4 mths now) sounds a lot like yours. You have a lot more determination than me, because I just let him sleep with me. It's the only way we can stay sane. Sometimes it's h*** o* our love life, but I think if I got less sleep that would be even harder on all of us!

Hi E.,

I tried a method in a book called On Becoming Babywise by Gary Ezzo. It is based on a feed, wake, sleep pattern that helps babies situate their sleep and eventually gets them to sleep through the night. It also helps you to regulate your milk supply. The method is meant to be started when your baby is a newborn, but the book states you can start it at anytime. My daughter started sleeping through the night at 9 weeks! I sware by this method and tell anyone who will listen about it! Aside from the occasional week or two of her waking up in the middle of the night for growth spurts or teething, we have had really good results. I am so glad someone recommended this book to me. It involves setting her up on a routine during the day, so you may have to change what you are currently doing, but the end result is soooo worth it! It can't hurt to try it.

I also read that some child development experts recommend putting your little one down by 7:30pm. For some unknown reason, babies put down at that time sleep better. When my daughter had her first "off" week, I started reading up. I used to put her down at 8. I pushed the time back a 1/2 hour and we were amazed! Sleeping through the night again!

I am fan of doing whatever works for the person and their family, but at this stage of the game, I wouldn't advise co-sleeping. It will just be a sleep "crutch" rather then a way of getting her to sleep through the night on her own.

Good luck with whatever you try!

Hi E.:

I truly feel your pain, my youngest was like that I thought I was going to lose my mind. One of those just when you think the child is tired of crying they only get louder.

What is the time frame of which you put the child to bed. At bath time try the bedtime baby wash by Johnson & Johnson. Does the nursing also consist of cereal or just the milk. Is is possible that the child is teething, if that is the case try humpries # 3 (i believe that is the number) they are little pellets and work like a charm. Better than the gels that people usually use. Last but not least, try the drops for gas.

I hope that some of this information is useful.

I don't know how comfortable you are with co-sleeping, but that was a great relief to me. My baby hated to be by himself, so when he began to sleep with me, he slept all night. When it was time to put him in his own bed, I put a toddler bed next to mine, and he adjusted very well. Good Luck!