I was wondering if anyone had advice, my 6 month old son, has always been sort of a troubled sleeper with frequent wakings, but I kept hoping it was his age and he would grow out of it. He is a cat napper, usually about 3 naps of 40 minutes or so, sometimes 4 of about 30 minutes. The past few weeks he has been sleeping great from about 9-3 am, then at 3 am like clockwork he is waking, and then from then on every hour he is up. So we are up at 3,4,5, bottle at 6ish, and then up around 7 or 8 am for the day. He just had his check up last week,all was healthy, no ear infection or congestion, could he maybe teething? Could he be getting used to me coming in and getting him up? What do you think about separation anxiety. I had been home with him since birth in March and the end of August headed back to college full time all day, and my mother babysits my two sons, could he be missing me? Any adice would be so very greatly appreciated. I know if he misses me that is ok, just getting tired:)
2006-09-19 11:57:27 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
Okay, this question could have many answers to it. First off, he may be sleeping too much in day. By that, I mean if there are 3 naps spread out through the day, he may wake at 3 in the morning b/c he is not very tired??? Also, 6 months of age is the perfect age to begin to let him "cry it out" a little bit. I did this with my son at this age, and it worked wonders. I started with nap times,and let him cry for 5-7 minutes, went in and calmed him, laid him back down, and let him cry for 7-10minutes, and repeat process. I only allowed this to go on for no more than 30 minutes, but most times he would fall asleep. After a while he learned that I would not run every time I heard him cry. He learned to soothe himself, which helped everyone! After he got it down, he became the best napper in town!
Also, if he's teething, it may help to buy some Hyland's teething tablets. They're 100% natural, and they work. On those bad nights, it's okay to give him some motrin for pain... just check with your pediatrician for the right amount to give him.
Also, yes, he could be going through a major transition, and experiencing a bit of separation anxiety. Unfortunately, no one can really answer this question. Use those mommy instincts, and you will eventually figure this out! Good luck!!!
2006-09-19 12:12:01 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You are the boss. You set the nap schedule. AT this age he should be napping 3 times a day and also sleeping 12 hours at night. It will take a few weeks and some hard work and patience on your part, but if you put him in the crib when you want him to nap and get him up when you want him to get up, he will soon adjust to sleeping for longer periods of time. You are the boss, not him!
2006-09-19 19:05:47 · answer #2 · answered by toomanycommercials 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Try not letting him take so many naps, if he is tired, he will sleep longer. If he cries at three and is not hungry then let him stay in crib and cry. It won't hurt him. Also, something to think about is are you rocking him to sleep and then laying him down while he is sound asleep? If you are, he is waking up and you aren't there and it is scaring him. You need to wake him up enough when you lay him down that he realizes he is in bed. Talk to him while you are taking him to his room, rub his back enough to wake him up. He doesn't have to be totally alert just enough that he opens his eyes. Also, you could put him to bed awake and let him learn how to get himself to sleep. I did it both ways and mine slept all through the night. I think he may be too young for separation anxiety. Good Luck! I hope these things work for you. Remember don't let him take so many naps, one or two at the most.
2006-09-19 23:36:00 · answer #3 · answered by country girl 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Some babys take lovger to sleep through the night. My oldest daughter did not sleep through the night untill she was 13 months old, and my middle did at 5 months old. Every child is different He will not be up all night for ever but it may take a little extra time for him.
Make sure he eats well before he goes to sleep. Maybe a small serving of cereal (not in his bottle). Make sure he isn't being woken up by noise.
Good lUck
2006-09-19 19:12:33 · answer #4 · answered by erinjl123456 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i would say try feeding him when he wakes up at 3. he could be going thought a grown sprut. My daughter did that to how i feed her and she goes for another 3 to 4 hours. It will pass. then you need to start to streght the feed by 10 mins a week so add to mins to the time a week at a time and before you know it he will be sleeping thought the night.
2006-09-19 19:03:29 · answer #5 · answered by elmo 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I wonder if he'd sleep through the night if you put a little bed next to your bed. Maybe he wouldn't have you up so early in the am. Just a suggestion. My daughter took a long to sleep through the night too.
2006-09-19 19:02:17 · answer #6 · answered by ? 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
my son had the same problem when he was that age. Right before we put him to bed we added a little barley or rice cereal to his formula and the seemed to help him but don't do it unless you talk to your doctor first we had the okay. we started out little at a time and slowly increased it. good luck
2006-09-19 19:07:53 · answer #7 · answered by Sandra C 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He probably knows that when he gets up mom is gonna be right there for him. If he wakes up just go in his room and sit/stand next to his crib and gently "sshh" him back to sleep. Don't pick him up though. He needs to learn how to put himself to sleep and if you pick him up he'll never learn.
2006-09-19 19:00:45 · answer #8 · answered by BeeFree 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
might be teething check and see if his gums are swollen or feel anything poking out try giving him orijel before bed
2006-09-19 19:09:38 · answer #9 · answered by Moo moo I'm a chicken 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋