How do you get a baby to sleep longer periods at night?

Question

My baby is 8 months old and has been waking up every two hours throughout the night. I don't expect her to sleep through the night, but a little longer would sure be nice.

I've tried letting her fuss a little and rubbing her back and not picking her up and talking to her etc. She does fall back to sleep, but wakes up 1/2 hour later.

Suggestions would be appreciated. Thank you

Answer 1

A bit of alcohol in the nightime bottle does the trick. (only joking) I asume she is going to bed with a full tummy, dry, warm and most of all tired? Is her room warm? We found our 4 month old to be waking up due to kicking off the blankets, and so purchased grobag baby sleeping bags and he now sleeps right through the night. Try exhausting her well through the day with lots of stimulating activity, and a relaxing bath with lavender soothing baby bath at night. Also a well darkened room, apart from that I don't know. Are there any baby sleeping schools in your area, or your local phone book. You could ring them and get some advice.

Answer 2

Honestly shes hungry!! I started giving my daughter cereal in her milk at 2 1/2 mos and she started sleeping 6 hours at first thru the night, then she would sleep from 8 something at night until 7 or 8 in the morning, she was full. I would give her a warm bath between 7:30 and 8 p.m then would give her cereal in her breast milk. Oh how great it was to be able to sleep and just jump up to check on her. Dont just add a teaspoon make it thick enough that it will come out of the y cut nipples and she will pass out and see you in the morning :)

Answer 3

This worked for me. Go to http://www.thehappiestbaby.com/store.htm and read the articles, also go to http://www.askdrsears.com/. If you breastfeed your baby, make sure he gets a whole feeding and that you are not taking him off your breast before he lets go...Baby will tell you when he's done...The reason is that when your milk come in the water and nutrients are let down first, but the fat that helps baby sleep are let down last and baby needs that fat to sleep deeply. A good way to know that baby is getting enough fat in his diet is to see if he gets that "drunk" look after feeding. If not, then the fat intake is not sufficient. If breastfeeding hurts try a silcone nipple shield. It will teach baby not to bite and help your nipples heal so you can feed until baby lets go.

If you feed formula, make sure that the quantity given is the right amount and temperature for your baby. The problem with a bottle is that baby doesn't need to work for food and can't limit their portion, as opposed to the breast which takes an enormous amount of work per feeding. Also make sure that you are feeding a formula that is high is the right types of fat, which will help baby to sleep.

Another technique is to see if baby will sleep on his side, swaddled tightly with arms inside the swaddling blanket. I make my own swaddling blankets and make sure that they are at least twice as large as the baby I intend to swaddle. They are easy to make and only the edges need to be sewn.

I wanted to add that cereal is very hard for a baby to digest, and can lead to Diabetes if overdone because it is a simple carb and turns to sugar NOT fat which could also give your baby a sugar rush and not let him sleep. Also overfeeding can cause discomfort which wakes baby, and makes him fussy.

I hope my suggestions help.

Answer 4

I used to give my baby cereal from a cereal feeder (2 ounces made thick like cream of wheat). Then, I would follow it up with a 4-6 ounce bottle of milk. That will get them sleeping through the night because they have a full tummy.

Answer 5

I got it easy.. since my son was 2 weeks old, he's been sleeping throughout the night.. I do though, keep him awake as much as possible from 2pm on.. I usually put him down about 8pm.. I wake him up to feed and change him at 11pm.. then he's out until 7am.. Definantly give her some cereal..it will keep her full longer.. if you're breast feeding, it wont hurt to give her a little formula at night... keep a pacifier handy too, if she takes them.. a warm bath helps.. even play some music for her.. they make personalized lullabys now-a-days... my son has one, it knocks him out like a light.. also, rub her forhead with your fingertips.. that soothes them too..

Answer 6

At 8 months is she getting enough food? that is usually the main thing. Is she having too much sleep during the day? you could try cutting afternoon nap out or just make it earlier or shorter. She may just be a little wonderer though (I've got one) and unfortunately it's just a case of them realising it's bed time. Good luck.

Answer 7

Maybe she is hungry, before settling her make sure she has a full tummy, and otherwise it could also be teeth coming, but dont despair, just keep telling yourself it is just a stage, and she will grow out of it, otherwise she too knows that you will come in, try for one night not going in, it is heartbreaking, but within a week i guarentee she will be sleeping through, it has worked for my 3 kids, and she is now older enough to allow this to happen.

Answer 8

keep her up during the day or just let her take a little nap but make sure it is a early nap, that way she will be really tired at night and should sleep longer, also try giving her a warm bath before bed...that makes them real tired

Answer 9

ask doc
he should be able to tell you something
it might not work
but it might give you an idea
otherwise
my son did that
hes over it now
but he was like that for more than a year- no matter what i did
know what i did that finally worked?
stopped trying to get him to go to sleep so much
no naps
lots of park and climbing and playing
i also moved him out of my room and in with his siblings
i think i was sheltering him too much from noise
and so he was a light sleeper or something
but just wait it out
hell get over it
my son did that from birth
and he is two now and hes much better since he turned two

Answer 10

ashely y is right, keep her full & happy-

you could also try keeping her up longer during the day so shell sleep more at night... or give her a warm bath with lavender body wash, of course, to soothe her...