7 month old daughter acting strange?

Question

Ever since she got over her bad cold 3 weeks ago shes thrown her daily routine out the window. She used to nap every 3 hours now its anywhere from every 1 1/2 to 6 hours and it takes over an hour to get her down for a nap. When she goes to bed at night she wakes up an hour later seemingly ready to start a new day then wakes again at 5 in the morning for a bottle then goes back to sleep then wakes up at her usual time. She wont eat more than 15 ounces of formula a day (including the 5 am feeding) not matter how hard i try and shes cranky all day long. Shes normally a very good and pleasant baby. Im confused, frustrated, and exhausted please give any advice!!!

she is eating solids, 3 meals a day. there are no signs of dehydration

Answer 1

call your doctor and ask.

Answer 2

Well what I think happened is that she was going through a change and the cold just came along. I believe she was going to get on a new routine anyways.

I am assuming that the baby has starting eating cereal, I would give that to her before bed.

I have a four month old who goes through these spurts too. She really doesn't want to take naps and when she does they are only for a hour at a time or so.

She may be waking up an hour after you lay her down because she is hungry. Try feeding her something with some substance before bed. Also try maybe a white noise cd, fan or other distracting noise.

Babys her age should already know how to soothe them selfs. Laying her in bed will not hurt her if you need a break. And sometimes they will just fall asleep after a while. I know if I lay my four month old down she will look around at her toys and stuff and if I turn her music box on after a while she will fall asleep.

I feel like I am going to go crazy too with her not napping during the day. And then she gets so tired she is just so crabby and fights sleep.

I just took my baby to the dr and she asked how often she woke during thenight and just like you she wakes up around five and the dr said she should only be getting water then. If you ever want her to sleep throught the night then no more milk and not only that but it is bad for there teeth. But just like you, I don't think i won't feed her because I want to go back to bed! She wont go back to bed with water...at least I don't think she will.

I would ask the dr how many oz she shoudl be drinking cuz that doesn't seem like enough. But feed her before bed and get on a feeding (food) schedule so she will be full enough to nap!

Answer 3

The thing about schedules is that they change. A baby has growth periods where she needs more sleep or more food, and periods in between when she needs less sleep or less food. She might be teething, which could explain all of the things you mentioned. Is she eating solid food now too? That would slow down her desire for formula. My theory is that you can't force her to sleep if she doesn't need to and you shouldn't force her to eat more than she wants. At some point, bedtime routines become important for children because it gives them structure and helps ensure a proper amount of sleep, but babies are sort of built to follow their bodies' own rhythms. Be patient and don't worry. We eventually saw a pattern with both our kids, where they would eat a huge amount for a while and get a little chubby (the chubby thing freaked me out, I was way too worried about having overweight children) and then they would have a growth spurt, and they would eat very little and sleep a whole bunch. We just learned to go with it, and they are now healthy, well-rested, grade schoolers.

Answer 4

My son went thru the same thing when he had pnuemonia. Eventually he got back into a routine but the routine was different. I think it could be just hard for them to realize what's going on. I'd say just keep being persistant. As long as she's not sick or anything she'll find a new routine that she feels comfortable with. I know it's so exhausting when they are up and down all the time. My son didn't sleep all night till 12 months. it was hard but now it's so much better.

Answer 5

Her schedule is screwed up. Is she eating solids along with the formula?

You're going to have to help her get into a new schedule, or back to her regular one. She'll probably still need one longer nap a day for recouping. But otherwise you can start switching her back to how things used to be.

Its common for babies to change their routines when sick, since they tend to sleep more and have less of an appitite.

If all she's eating is that 15 ounces a day, then you need to take her in and have her looked at. but if she's also getting solids, i'd give it a couple days and see if she rebounds back to a more bulky eating routine.

Answer 6

Oh I can relate my 10 month old baby just got over a cold and has another one. Important thing to remember is when babies are sick all rule and routines fly out the window leaving us moms tired and cranky ourselves! Don't despair it will pass and she will get back on her routine again just stick with it and remember she could still be run down from being sick and not back to normal again. Offer her lots of liquids like water with a bit of juice for taste in a sippy cup as the liquids will help her get better. You can also give her enchinea drops for babies in our bottle of sippy cup that will help rebuild her immune system ours gets maybe 10 drops daily about 4 times a week with a week off every 3rd week. Don't underestimate the power of hugs and kisses and lots of them. Let her work it out and slowly start to introduce her routine back in and she'll catch on quick...our baby did the same thing napping at odd hours and waking early ready to party. Don't give up it will all go back to normal soon enough but in the meantime eat healthy yourself and sleep when you can taking care of yourself it will be easier to deal with your baby

Answer 7

My son went through this but at about 5 months old. He was on solids then because his dr recommended it. Her formula intake will decrease no matter what other people will tell you when her solid intake increases. As long as she is peeing, pooping, as a moist mouth, and tears she is not dehydrated. This is a phase that will pass but as she gets old you have to know her naps will be shorter and not as often. Is she teething? My son was like satan when he was getting his teeth in, he had 2 come through at the exact same time and no matter what I did all he did was cry and not want to sleep. If you are truely concerned take her to the dr and have her checked

Answer 8

The only TRUE thing about a baby's schedule is that :

AS SOON AS YOU MEMORIZE ONE..

IT CHANGES~

Sick or not your baby will do things according to her growth spurts, new discoveries and moms mood. If she is still eating healthy then formula in that amount is fine.
If it "takes and hour" to put her down for a nap, then WAIT for her nap until she initiates the suggestion.
Give her a night time bootle after a NICE soothing bath,,, and she will get the hang of real BEDTIME versus nap time.

Answer 9

My little guy just turned one and he had a nasty cold for a few weeks. He finished his antibiotic and other medicine from the doctor.. and he just wasn't his usual happy self for about two weeks after. He was doing a lot of the same things your daughter is doing. He was cranky, he slept for no particular length time. He also was not eating. He is on solid foods and milk now, but he just wouldn't eat anything but cheerios and I started to get worried. He also was up most the night. About two weeks after his cold seemed to be gone, he was back to his usual self, started eating again, but his sleep schedule was still messed up and it was exhausting me. So I ended up having to let him cry himself back to sleep at night time. It was hard and the first time he cried for 40 minutes, but now he is back in his routine and we are both better for it. Good Luck!

Answer 10

Sometimes, after a cold, a child will get an ear infection. Although she may not be acting like it hurts, she may be showing signs of the infection by altering her routine. Go to the doc and get her checked out. Otherwise, just hang in there and know, like all other baby stages, this will pass.

Answer 11

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