baby does not sleep at night?

Question

Wakes up every hour, goes to sleep in my arms but wakes up when put into bed

Answer 1

Depending on the age try the baby food and rice mixed with the formula so it sticks to baby's ribs so baby don't wake up hungry.

Answer 2

I am sorry to say I can answer this question with some authority on the matter. Our son didn't sleep through the night for 18 MONTHS! We were idiots not to do something sooner. When we tried what I am about to tell you, he was sleeping through the night in just 1 week and has never had a problem since, in fact he ENJOYS going to bed now.

You probably have heard about it - but here goes:

Controlled crying:

Basically it works. It is harder for the parent than the child... but it works and I recommend it.

Please note the books say that if your child has emotional problems you shouldn't do this, mind you - don't all babies have emotional problems? What consitutes an emotional problem in babies... answers on a postcard.

1) Put them to bed, say goodnight and don't make a fuss, walk out.
2) Ignore the screaming for 5 minutes (hard part)
3) Walk in and stand by the door, do not approach the baby and in particular do not kiss, cuddle, etc. Say in a loud, firm, but loving way "Go to sleep baby, Mummy and Daddy are just in the next room" or something like that.
4) Walk out slowly closing the door (should not take longer than a minute or two)
5) The screams will probably rise in level at this point.
Repeat after 10 minutes, then 15 minutes, then continue every 15 minutes.

The baby works out that crying doesn't work and the periods of time get longer, so they go to sleep. Everyone is happy. It sound cruel but believe me (and the experts in many books) it does no harm to the child, the only person it is likely to psychologically damage is you as the procedure is counter-intuative for a parent.

Don't have them sleeping with you - it is a bad habit and can be dangerous when they are young. Also have a routing - like bath time, story time, song time, cuddle time, bed time - Kids love routine.

Best of luck - I have been there and you will be fine! Enjoy it.

Answer 3

You didn't say how old the baby is. If the baby is still a newborn, work to feed the baby every 2.5 -3 hours during the day and eventually the nighttime feeding will stretch out until he/she is sleeping 7-8 hours. Babies like routine - it is comforting to them. I always set my routine up to look like this - eat, play, sleep. The hardest thing is keeping a new baby from falling asleep during or right after feeding. But it will fall into place and baby will be so happy.

Put the baby in his/her bed while baby is still awake and allow baby to play until he/she falls asleep. Sometimes baby may cry but use your judgment. There is a difference between and 'need you' cry and a 'want you' cry.

Most of all - enjoy your little one!

Answer 4

I'd say that you both might get better sleep if you co-sleep with the baby. We have the crib pushed up right next to our bed with one side taken off. It is so nice not to have to get up in the middle of the night! Later you can transition to the crib farther away in your room, and then to a different room when they are ready.

Little babies need to feel safe and secure, and the best way for them to get that is from being close to mom and dad. They alsostill get hungry at night and need to eat just as frequently as during the day, It's totally normal to not have a baby sleep through the night- in fact, for a baby sleeping through the night means waking only to eat- if you co-sleep, you barely even have to wake to feed him cause he's right there! Below in the source is alink to information about safe co-sleeping.

You also might want to invest in a good sling, like a kangaroo karrier fleece pouch (www.kangarookarrier.com). My son naps longer when he is in the sling and I can move about and get things done while he sleeps.

There is also a book called "No Cry Sleep Solution" that might help, it explains methods of getting the baby to rest on it's own.

Answer 5

Los is right about keeping them up during the day. The first few months- don't expect them to sleep at night or anything.

Baby needs to learn to go to sleep on his/her own also.

Try to focus on the day more, and at night keep things dark, no talking, just feeding as needed. Don't even change the baby at night unless they are poopy or really wet!

Babies are NOT ready for cereal until 4-6 months. So please don't try that. They sleep more with cereal because it's not as easily digested and slows things down. Very selfish to use that.

Good luck.

Answer 6

Is baby hungry? How old is the baby. The baby might have it's days and nights mixed up. Does the baby sleep most of the day. Then that is why. You have to keep baby up more during the day. Try that.

Answer 7

putting rice mix in the bottle is a very bad idea. i ahd a friend who did that too early and the baby got really sick. she almost got in trouble for doing that. i have a 19 mos son. when he was like 2 or 3 mos he did that all the time. its hard to get used to the fact of always doing something for the baby. but youll get used to it. i would just hold em. adventully she/he might stop. does he/she sleep with you? as a mother i couldnt sleep without my baby, so he sleeps with us. that kept him from wakeing up all the time. my doc said thats fine. it prevents the risk of sids too. as long as you know you wont roll over on him. the thing that sucks about that though is my my son still sleeps with us.dont worry it gets better.

Answer 8

Been there done that! Try holding the baby in a blanket. (its easier to sneak your arm out from under when they go back in the crib.. also get them used to noises around the house.. dont purposely be quiet all the time.. you'll find that eventually they will be able to sleep through anything.

Answer 9

As hard as it is you are going to have to let your baby cry a little. It is OK to let them cry even though it is so hard on us as parents. I would suggest trying a miracle blanket it was a life saver for me. You can find them at www.miracleblanket.com Your baby has to learn Independence that they can sleep alone. Right now he/she is having issues because your baby does not smell you anymore. I had to use my nightgown as a sheet for a couple of times and now he sleeps through the night. Just make sure you try to use some type of schedule.

Answer 10

Try giving the baby a bath before you give them the last feeding of the night and see if that wears them out enough to stay asleep.

I had the same issue with my daughter and ended up switching to formula and doing a bath before the last feeding because she wasn't eating enough and didn't have enough activity to sleep through the night.

Another option is to allow them to suck on a soother to calm themselves to get to sleep and stay asleep. Once they are out, you can take the soother out.