My 5 and a half month old goes down to sleep at the same time every night. We feed him his solids, then bottle, then bed. He use to sleep from 9pm to about 6 or 7 am, but just a few days ago he started this thing where he wakes up at 3:30am on the dot and doesn't go back to sleep till about 10am. Nothing has changed in his schedule we are feeding him the same and putting him down the same. I can't figure out why he has started this up or what I can do to make him go back to sleeping through the night......
2007-11-27 08:48:42 · 7 answers · asked by tracytlctc 2 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
He could possibly be hitting his 6 month growth spurt and therefore be a little hungrier than usual, needing his nighttime feedings again for a few days.
2007-11-27 08:52:11 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
How does he go to sleep? Do you rock him or does he use a paci? Or does he put himself to sleep? The biggest reason babies start waking around the 6 month mark is becuase they don't know how to get back to sleep alone. Start putting him to bed drowsy but awake and soon when he wakes up during the night he will be able to fall back to sleep. Now I am not a fan of the cry-it-out method, but you can do this without tears, just follow nightime routine and when he is nearly asleep lay him down. You may have to pat or talk to him for a bit. But eventually it will become less and less. Also, when he wakes in the middle of the night be sure to not turn on any lights, except maybe a small nightlight, no TV, no toys, and no talking to him. And only offer a bottle of water.
2007-11-27 16:57:55 · answer #2 · answered by jilldaniel_wv 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Try just leaving him alone when he wakes up at 3:30am. Most babies do things out of routime or habit. One night he probably woke up at that time, you came in and got him and now he thinks thats the time he should wake up.
Tonight, do what you always do before bed then when he wakes up let him get himself back to sleep. He may cry for a few minutes but thats ok. He needs to get back into the routine of sleeping through the night.
The longer you get him up when he wakes up that early and feed him.. the harder it will be to get him back to sleeping through the night. If you are feeding him right before bed than he shouldnt need to eat till the morning.
I know its hard, believe me.. we are in the process of getting our 4 month to sleep through the night and its not easy. My 2 year old did the same thing your son is doing now and it only took two or three nights for him to get the hint and start sleeping through the night again. If you are really concerned, talk to your sons pediatrician. Good Luck
Ok.. let me rephrase what I said since i've gotten two thumbs down already: Im not saying let him scream all night but letting him get himself back to sleep.
2007-11-27 16:52:54 · answer #3 · answered by Kristin Pregnant with #4 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
It sounds like this is just a phase he is going through. You might try to make him stay awake longer during the day - longer period between naps so his system gets jolted a bit, that might help...otherwise, I would bet in a week or two he goes back to normal.
2007-11-27 16:52:09 · answer #4 · answered by SisterSue 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
He probably going througha phase and will return back to normal if you keep doing the normal thing you are doing. He'll do the same thing at 1. Don't worry.
2007-11-27 16:58:00 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
welcome to parenthood! lol
by the time you think you've sussed it he'll start doing something else. the best advice i would give you is try and catch up on your sleep during the day when he naps and never feel guilty for resting. its easier to be a good parent if u are well rested and well fed .
good luck
2007-11-27 16:57:36 · answer #6 · answered by ? 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
maybe he's hungry... they have a growth spurt at 6mos...
2007-11-27 16:52:19 · answer #7 · answered by throughthebackyards 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋