Changes in Sleeping Habits

Updated on February 28, 2007
J.S. asks from Knoxville, TN
6 answers

My husband and I have a 4 month old daughter. She has always slept pretty well since day 1. When she was about 3 months, I would put her down around 9:30 and she would sleep until about 6 or 6:30. If her passy fell out of her mouth she would just suck her thumb and go back to sleep. Last week we flew up to Vermont (from TN) to visit my parents. I tried to keep her schedule as consistent as possible but it was somewhat difficult, there were a lot of people around and it was a new environment for her. Every night she would wake up around 4:30 and scream. I couldn't just rock her and put her back to bed so I gave her a bottle which was the only thing that seemed to calm her down. We got back to our house last Sunday night, and Monday night I moved her into her crib in her own room because I didn't want her to get too used to sleeping in the cradle in our bedroom. She usually naps in her crib during the day so I didn't think it would be that big of an adjustment for her. The past few nights I have been trying to get her back to her "normal" schedule. I change her around 9:00, turn down the lights and give her a bottle. Now she has been waking up 2 or 3 times at night and I have to go in and put her passy back in, then she seems to get up around 5:00 and is ready for another bottle. Any suggestions on how to get her back to her "old" sleeping habits? I know my husband and I could use a good night sleep too!

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M.E.

answers from Mobile on

I hate to say it, but you might want to let her cry it out until the 5am feeding. Kids need to learn how to self soothe, and since your used to know how, you're going to have to let her figure it out again. Believe me I know how emotionally distressing it is to hear your little one cry! However, since you know she used to be able to sleep that long, and she's getting enough to eat, try letting her cry for 10-15 mins. Then, if she hasn't gone back to sleep, go in and rub her back/belly until she calms down, kiss her goodnight again, and leave her.
My daughter also started having gum pain around 3-4 months, but it only affected her falling asleep. She'll let you know if its her gums by biting your hand. I use baby orajel at night on her gums to get her to sleep.
We also have the problem about getting up at 5am. I can't break that either. She goes down at between 8 and 9 and won't sleep past 5! Even now that she's eating solids. Fortunately that's what time my husband gets up for work anyway, but she's wide awake then and happy (unlike her parents!) She gets fed, then it's 50/50 whether she'll go back to sleep again, or wait for her next nap. It might be normal for your daughter too!

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S.W.

answers from Jackson on

Hey
We just got back from a trip, and my 3 month old son did the same thing. When we got back, he was not sleeping well, wanting to nurse more often, and so fussy my mom thought he was teething. I think it was all the stress from the trip. It scared him a little. My advice would be to ride it out. It took almost three weeks, but he is finally getting back to "normal." You may want to put off putting her in her crib for a few weeks, though. That extra change on top of everything else may make it harder for her to readjust. After she is back to being secure, she will probably trasition better to the crib. Hope this helps.

S.

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K.S.

answers from Macon on

Hi J., I have a 3 year old that still gets up and a 15 month old that sleeps all night. So when you figure it out please pass on the advice. I read a book to help your child sleep through the night. Consistency is key. At 4 months though, there has to be something going on with her like maybe she does not get enough dinner before bed and that is why she is waking up hungry. If you know she has eaten enough, (per my pediatrician) let her cry for 5 minutes the first night before you get up then 10 minutes the second night and so on until she will eventually realize you are not coming in there. She will go back to sleep. This is how I weaned (he is still nursing) and got my 15 month old to sleep all night. The 3 year old is a different story. I hope this helps.
K. S
www.kristies.fourpointmoms.com

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T.B.

answers from Auburn on

i don't have an answer but my son is the same way so please pass on any advice you get please..........

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H.D.

answers from Jackson on

A lot of kids change their own sleeping habits, sometimes, out of nowhere (even without traveling) and sometimes for no reason. It will eventually level itself out! Good luck until it does :-)

When my daughter is teething, she wakes up more often at night. This could be her problem too; gums hurting, so she wants to eat/be comforted.

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S.S.

answers from Nashville on

My daughter is 5 months and I understand. She too was doing really well with sleep and then starting reverting back to waking up in the middle of the night. What worked for us was sticking to our routine and I breast feed so I would decrease the amount of time I let her feed when she would wake up. So you could try gradually giving her less formula usually they stop waking up when they realize they don't get much milk. And I agree letting your little one cry a bit is ok but I would not let them cry more than 5-10min. at a time before checking on them. She may also just be growing through a growth spurt right now and need more to eat. Usually these patterns with my daughter last about a week and then things go back to normal. Hang in there. Also remember it is difficult for them to readjust after a trip so she may take a week to readjust. With the crib thing I would back off that until her sleeping patterns return because to much at one time could be over loading her. Try moving the cradle next to the crib first that worked for my daughter, she would not sleep peacefully in her crib until I gradually eased her into it.

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