Sleep Issues - Help??

All babies are different. I have friends that say their babies slept through the night at 6 weeks and others who have 5 years olds that still aren't sleeping through the night. I agree with the other posts about a routine: meal or bottle, bath, story, night light, fan, all help and my 16 month old sometimes sleeps 6-7 hours but often wakes to have his diaper changed in the middle of the night. Good luck! I know exactly how you feel :)

Read the book "BabyWise" Everyone that I know who has tried it will swear by it!! It will be hard for a week or two, but I will promise you a full nights sleep and a happier baby during the day! I did this with both of my sons (and I had my doubts) but they both have slept through the night since 7 weeks old without an ounce of trouble except if they are really sick. They both sleep between 9-10 hours a night and they are now 2years old and 4 months old! Give it a try and good luck hun!
Happy Sleeping!
R.
p.s. If you don't feel like reading the whole book, email me and I will send you the main points, but the entire book is great!!

I did try the "extinction" method where you let them cry it out. We started this at 4 months. I think the key is that he is full when he goes to bed. Are you sure he's had a good helping right before going down? I found that when I gave my daughter a bottle and then nursed her she slept through with only crying out once. She cried out for almost an hour for about 4 nights. Now, she will wake up around 11:30 and cry out but she has also learned to self sooth and she will be back to sleep within 10 minutes or so. I don't know why it wouldn't work out for him. You have me puzzled!!! The only other thing I can think of is that around that age level, they begin to think if they don't see you, you just aren't there and they begin to worry... separation anxiety. I'm wondering if that could be part of it as well. Now, in the book I read "Healthy Sleeping Habits: Happy Baby" it says that you can go in, tap them on the back and let them know it's ok. We also did this, but it made her even more mad! It should have worked itself out by now and he should've learned how to get himself back to sleep. I guess every baby is different, but I hope Zachary will achieve sleeping through the night so you can too! :) Good luck.

I think the key is to make sure they have eaten well before going to bed. Stick to a routine as much as possible. That works for us. Every baby is different but I think that is what has saved us. We stuck with a routine at night from close to day one. The rest of the day may be off somewhat but the night schedule we try to always stick as close to it as possible.

My husband and I sort of tried the cry-it-out method but quickly decided it was not for us. We checked out The No-Cry Sleep Solution by Pantley from the library. It really works and it's a quick read. It will help you and your baby get more sleep without the stress on your baby crying it out.
Good luck.

When my little boy was that age we made sure that he had a clean diaper on and when he fell asleep we put a cd player in his bedroom with a lullaby cd playing constantly. The music was soothing and I don't think that he felt like he was alone in his room so he went back to sleep fairly quickly.

Hun I hate to tell you but that sounds about right for baby that's nursing. Unfornatly, we just don't keep a consist amount of thickness to the milk. It's great that your still nursing. I didn't get past 5mon, she got her first 4 teeth and started biting. Maybe you should try mixing some cereal in with his food, it'll make it a little thick. The other thing we had to do was use gas drops, maybe he's getting a little tummy ache. The great thing about gas drops is you can use them everynight and it will not hurt the baby. Hope this helps. Bye T. L.

My twins didn't sleep through the night till about 9 months. I know a big thing is to make sure they fed well before going to sleep and make sure they have a clean diaper on. Usually I waited about 10 min after feeding to change them. My daughter wanted to go to sleep in the swing and sometimes wouldn't want to leave it. My son liked stretching out. You may talk to your doctor about it. I knew some people that would put some cereal in the milk to help fill them up.

It was a battle every night until our son was 4 months old, and our pediatrician told us about the "reassurance" technique. Basically, your letting them cry it out, but every 5 minutes you go in and pat their back, tell them you love them, etc. But don't pick them up. Then leave the room. Do this until he falls asleep. Every night will get better, until finally the night will come when you lay him down and he falls asleep on his own. Like clockwork every night, he goes down at 8 O'clock. If you would have told me when he was 3 months old that we would be able to do that, I would have said you were crazy, but it really did work!
He still has nights occassionally when he'll wake up once or twice, but overall he sleeps 10 to 12 hrs a night.
I hope this helps!
E.