I'm a mom of 4. My 9 mo old wakes 2-3 times a night - any suggestions from someone with similiar experience?

Question

I never had this issue for this long with my three other children.
I am breastfeeding this child whereas I did not the others.
I have read about both the Ferber and Sears opinions/methods.

Answer 1

Well I am also a mother of four and I breast fed all of them. The "problem" may be that this little one just feels the need for Mom more. I know that my youngest was and is much more needy of Mom time than any of the other three. So it is possible that he/she is just enjoying that extra one-on-one time that comes from breastfeeding. My #4 didn't stop waking for food at night until I stopped offering him the breast at night! I finally just put him in a room by himself (so he wouldn't disturb others) and when he woke I would hand him a sippy cup full of tap water and say--I love you go to sleep! Luckily he's a rather laid back kid so he knew the game was up and started to sleep through the night within a week. I do not know if this would of worked with #2 who was a "high maintenance" child! As soon as he could crawl out of his crib he started to come in and sleep with us halfway through the night so I think he just needs me more!

Good Luck!

Answer 2

Sounds normal to me too. My first child didn't sleep all through the night until he was much older--like 3. There are so many things--teething, anxiety, need for Mama, thirst, etc. When my kids teeth, it really disturbs their sleep. All I can say about that is thank goodness I breastfeed, as it seems to be the only thing that comforts and eases the pain (along with some Hylands teething caplets). I don't know where this obsession with babies sleeping through the night comes from--so many people seem to think they should, and if they don't there is something wrong. I know some babies do, but if you have read Sears you know that he reminds us that parenting doesn't stop at bedtime--it's 24 hours. Our babies have needs at night as well. The people who tell you to ignore your baby are giving advice that is cruel--this will only make the baby anxious and teach him that his needs will not be met, thus creating insecurity about the world and his place in it. I know it's hard, but it will pass and the best thing you can do is meet your baby's needs and give him/her the comfort s/he needs until this passes. Good luck!

Answer 3

Dont let the baby sleep that much in the day also take the baby out in the night and show the baby how it is dark and night and its time to sleep it may sound silly but babies understand i had the same problem with my baby she would goto sleep until 3 sometimes 4 in the morning

Answer 4

Is he/she waking up to feed? If so fill his belly with cereal with his last bed time meal, give him a water cup/bottle in his bed and tuck him in and let him know its bed time. If he/she wakes in the middle of the night let him cry, (unless he has a dirty diaper then you need to change it) Other then that, a few days like that and he/she will get the Idea and sleep.
Another thing, did he use to sleep all night before this, if so Is he teething? If he's teething then going though this at night is perfecly normal just go in rub Nubbys (Numming lotion/gel) on his/her gums and go back to bed. Don't cuddle him or pull him out of his bed he needs to know its bed time. And things will be fine...

Answer 5

That sounds normal. My 13-mos old still wakes 2-3 times and probably will untill he weans. Is it a problem for you or are you just wondering?

This may help:
http://www.drjaygordon.com/development/ap/sleep.asp

Answer 6

When it's time for bed and this might be and obstacle for you but, play a soft soothing cd they have them for babies gerber has one. Buy some JJ bedtime bath gel and lotion this will calm the baby before bed. after that massage the baby body with lotion and sing softly they love to hear there mother's voice.

Answer 7

get the baby on a routine, a schedule on feeding, napping, playing, ect.