I have an 11 month old who, at around 9 months, decided to start sleeping through the night by which I mean from about 7PM to 5-6 AM waking just once around 3AM to nurse. Then she got sick and started waking twice around midnight and then 3AM. She hasn't gone back to her waking once a night routine. I nurse her when she wakes but doubt she's seriously hungry at midnight. Last night I sent my husband in with a bottle of water expecting her to protest - instead, she drank a few ounces of water and went back to sleep. I'd like to wean her from the midnight nursing and coax her into sleeping longer but am not interested in Ferberizing. I"m looking for a compassionate route. Do any compassionate moms out there have sugggestions? I should mention that she was born 5 weeks early. She doesn't have any issues related to a premature birth other than simply being about a month behind in terms of development. Thanks!
I really liked "The No Cry Sleep Solution" by Elizabeth Pantley. She gives lots of ideas of little things to try - what time they go to bed, what the bedtime routine is like, what the bedroom is like, etc. She also gives lots of strategies based on the situation. I found it to be very helpful.
Good luck! It does get easier :-)
ouch dude. Guess some of us aren't compassionate?
Make sure she's very full when you put her to sleep.
And don't make the mistake of thinking a little later bedtime will result in better sleep. Sleep begets sleep.
Try some soothing music, very low, on "repeat" all night in her room.
Could just be a growth spurt so she's hungrier.
When my son would get sick, we would always get "off track" & slide back. It would take about a month to get back to where we were.
My son was different and didn't sleep through the night until he was much older. He was a very active baby & was honestly hungry. Also, my breastmilk dried up very early so he had to have formula. That may not have filled him up as well. So he woke up in the night maybe more often than a lot of other babies (esp girls, I've found w/my friends that have girls). I just stuck with what he needed & it worked. We finally got through that stage and one day it all came together. He would sleep a 5-hr stretch sometimes but it took awhile longer than your daughter's current age to get him to sleep through the night. Hang in there & do what YOU feel your baby needs.
I say go in & try to nurse when she wakes up. Hopfeully it will just be a phase & she will most likely get right back on track!
Hang in there. I know it's tough but you'll get through this.
Btw, my son was 1 mo premature too so he was behind in development until abut 1 1/2 or 2 yrs of age. Now he's in the 95 percentile.
How long has she been waking this one extra time? I'm thinking this is temporary, and with some patience, she will return to sleeping through her midnight waking.
I always found when my babies got sick they would wake more even after they were better. Not sure if they just got in the habit of seeing me more during the night or what! Usually after a week or two they naturally slipped back into their regular routine. I think what you did last night is probably best. Give her some comfort but don't feed her and be quick about it. It could also be a growth spurt. My first fed at night until 13 mos. She was hungry and still is my hungry child!
Food , non gassey.. make sure full belley vs supper full.
I send my hubby in to give my 11 month old her paci, if she cries. but sometimes we have to give her a bottle, but not all the time.
also try and give her extra during the day, that will help to sustain her at night.
My kids sleep throught the night more than they dont at that age, but I know every child is different.
My friend has an 18 month old and he wakes at 12 and 4 every night.. with out fail. food, no food etc.
Good luck
