My 6 month old will not sleep through the night. Any suggestions?

Question

I am a first time mom, and am paranoid about whether I am being a horrible mommy. I am only 28, but feel about 50 these days without sleep! I have tried every method..the cry-it-out...which breaks my heart. I am typing this, because I just finished listening to her scream(not just cry) for 15 minutes. It doesn't sound like a long time, but wow it is when you're the mommy. I think if I could be consistant for about 3 nights straight, it would work, but sometimes she is up every 15 minutes...which means I am just dozing off and having to wake right back up. I need any help or advice that others are willing to give.

I should add that I am a single mom, and that she is very well taken care of.

SHe is on soy formula...I guess it's possible that I have spoiled her...i need advice on un-spoiling her.

Answer 1

What are her naps like during the day? How long are her awake times? This has a huge impact on her night time sleep. If she's not sleeping enough during the day, she will be overtired and it will be physically impossible for her to fall asleep and stay asleep. I have a day care in my home and all the parents of the kids I watch never believe me at first, but after 2 weeks of consistent naps during the day the parents are amazed at how much better their children sleep at night. You are not a horrible mommy, and yes it's awful to hear them cry but it's good for her to learn how to self soothe, or pretty soon you'll be asking everyone here how to get your 2 year old to sleep in her own bed and not with you. You can do it. I would try letting her cry for 30 min to even an hour. Chances are she needs a little more time to get used to the idea that you are not coming in to get her. Good luck and be consistent, whatever you do.

Answer 2

I truely don't believe you can spoil a baby. I have a 5 year old and a 4 month old. The more love you can give them the better. Especially as babies!! Instead of letting her cry it out. Try going back in every 5 min and rubbing her tummy. Don't talk or pick her up, just let her know that you're there. Remember as hard as it is to hear them cry, it's not because they are in any kind of pain. She is just protesting to falling asleep. Just keep reassuring her until she falls asleep. Hopefully she will learn and in a few nights, she will go to sleep with no fussing. God Bless

Answer 3

Has the dr. had you start on cereal yet?
If they are waking every 15 minutes thats not normal .
But it is normal for some babys to wake 2-3 times a night to feed . Like evry 4-6 hours.

If you are nursing try layng on your side with the baby so you can sleep.No heavy blankets though.
Also try something that has a little sound like a fan ( not blowing on them of course) air purifier etc.
And are they right temp for sleeping , try those baby sleepers like Carters makes withthe feet in
I never could let mine keep crying I always got up and fed them.
Im like you just couldnt do that.

The lack of sleep is tough.
During the day when the baby sleeps sleep too.
Yes the house will be a mess and your man may have to pick up for dinner.
But it wont last forever.
Keep up the good work,

Answer 4

I have been there many times. I now have four boys, all in school. It is really hard to get them to sleep through the night, I know. With our first child, and this is 12 years ago already, I would have to leave the house, cause it got so bad. My husband was able to stand it, and sleep right through the crying. I couldn't, so I would go to the 24-hour grocery store, sometimes I would just park and snooze in my car for awhile. It took maybe 5 days, the crying spells would get shorter and less often, but after 5 days, he slept all through he night, every night, unless he was sick. I did, have to change his daytime schedule some also. I had to make sure that I woke him up every three hours to eat and play for awhile, before letting him nap again. I know that this probably doesn't help much. But, sometimes just knowing that someone else knows your pain and has been there, helps a lot. Just hang in there, they do grow up. Good luck to you all. Take care.

Answer 5

You are just going to have to gut it out. Make sure she doesn't need her diaper changed, nothing is poking her and she isn't hungry. If you have started her on baby foods yet, you might want to try a very thinned rice cereal right before bedtime as it will take longer to digest than just formula. Once you have covered all of the bases regarding her comfort, when she starts crying, you are just going to have to plug your ears until she has cried herself to sleep. It generally takes about 3 nights of this type of thing before they begin sleeping thru the night. It sounds so cruel, but it really isn't as long as she is fed, dry and nothing is sticking her, she if fine.

I know the cry-it-out is heartbreaking, but when you are sleep deprived, you cannot be as effective a mother as one that is well rested.

Answer 6

If the baby is waking up every 15 minutes then maybe something is not right. Maybe she's waking up cause she's in pain or hungry. Does she cry a lot during the day too? Maybe your baby is lactose intolerant and you haven't noticed yet. Call your pediatrician and see what they say. Better be safe than sorry.

Answer 7

Have you concidered colic? 15 minutes of screaming is an eternity for loving mommies. Talk to her pediatrician about colic though. Most people will tell you a baby loses colic after 3 months. HA! My son had it until he was 9 months old.

Answer 8

I feel for you. My son woke up every night until he was one years old. When I told his doctor about it she asked if I gave him bottles at night. I'm not sure about a six month old but try getting her off the bottle at night. Give her a bottle of water. If that doesn't help wich it will take a while to break the habbit, call her doctor and see what they say. They may have more better solutions.

Answer 9

I would suggest you take your baby to bed with you. Generally, babies sleep better when cuddled up with a loving parent. (Most *adults* don't like sleeping alone, and they understand that morning is coming in a few hours!) If you and she both get enough sleep this way, it is infinitely better than any potential damage from letting her cry and scream for long periods every day and night!!

Answer 10

The book On Becoming Babywise is recommended. I followed the guidelines and my daughter was sleeping through the night at 2 months.