[Kay1]

DS3 (5 months) has been awake since 2.40am. He usually settles pretty quickly after a feed, even though he still has nights where he wakes every 2 hours, he usually has a quick feed and back to bed. Tonight though....nada. He was awake every 45 minutes from bedtime until 2.40am. I think he was waking because I had a portable aircon in his room and its noisy. I turned that off and put his fan on as it had cooled down quite a bit but he just will not sleep. He lies and chats and wriggles and then works up to a cry. I fed him numerous times but I think that was just giving him wind. I have tried changing him, rewrapping, bicycling his legs, patting, rocking, cuddling, bouncing on the bed. All for at least 15 mins but he doesn't even get remotely sleepy. Right now I am taking a time out as I was feeling really angry, tired and resentful. Any and all suggestions welcome right now.

[SplashingRainbow...]

Occasionally if I could manage it I just gave up - got both of us up for a bit until I could see him winding back down.

What happens if you leave him in the cot? Does he cry or is he happy to chill out there?

Could it be teeth ? My little one was the most horrible teether and woke frequently for either teeth or overtiredness. If in doubt I gave a dose of panadol - usually about the second 45 minute unexpected wake up.

My only other regular strategy was to call for backups once it was daytime. Do you have friends or family that can let you have a 2 he nap today to help catch up ? I hated asking for help at first but some days it was the only thing that got me through the night - knowing I wouldn't be alone with the cranky baby in the morning and I could get a nap. Any nap helped.

Sorry that's not more helpful. I hope you get a chance to rest today.

[bizikids]

When my babies had nights like that I would put them into bed with me and hold them tight against my chest until they fell asleep then gently roll them away from me onto the other side of the bed and get some sleep like that. At least if they wake again I just pulled them over next to me and repeat. I found they would usually sleep better in my bed anyway.
I hope you get some sleep soon.

[Kay1]

Thanks.

When I left him in his cot he cried and cried. When I went back up I tried rewrapping him, a song and putting him down. No dice. At 5.30am I put him in bed with me. He will settle like that but ONLY if my boob is in his mouth. Which is incredibly uncomfortable for me so I can't sleep that way. He slept about 30 mins and then woke again at which point it was 6.30am and I gave him to DH and slept for an hour.

He's asleep now after (another!) feed and me rocking him to sleep in my arms. Hopefully he will have a good long sleep. My older kids are playing the Wii so I could have a nap now but I have awful dreams when I sleep in the morning so I think I'll just ride it out. Might get a short nap later if he has a sleep this afternoon. Hopefully it was just one of those weird nights but if he continues like this I'll try a dose of panadol. Might be an ear infection or teething or something.

[kpingitquiet]

We go for a midnight drive. Works for some kids! We also had a well-developed love of our cradle-swing by that age

[feliz6]

Hi OP nights like that are so hard. When my lo is like that I'm wondering is it too hot? Too cold? Does there tummy hurt? Is the nappy on too tight? I can't figure it out DH takes baby from 5am-7 so I get at least two hours straight. Some nights that's the longest block of sleep I get unfortunately I have no ideas for u or me! I'm having a sleep consultant come out on Friday so am just trying to survive until then hoping tonight's a better night for you

[nicknick]

Is it possible it's a hunger thing? I found both my kids around that 5 month age would start night waking like that and really hard to settle, once I started some solids I have found DD is back to sleeping much better - for me and my 2 I have found that milk just doesn't do it at that age as they are doing lot's of growing.

Re teething pain, I have always found with that it's a pain cry that isn't building up as you describe and you can start to see the teething signs.

Hope you can rest somehow today, really hard when you also have little one's that don't understand mummy has been up all night.

[Kay1]

Thanks again. I could never do the late night drive thing. Just too tired plus I don't think he'd transfer back to bed.

I think I will put the cradle swing in his room tonight. We have it downstairs and he just had a nice chilled out time swinging in it for an hour or so. Still no sleep but at least he's settled down.

I do feel his tummy or something was hurting him. He's had panadol and infant's friend now and I'll try again for a nap soon. If no go then I'm packing all the kids in the car and going out before I go starkers!

Good luck feliz6, I hope the sleep consultant helps!!

[Kay1]

nicknick - Maybe hunger ....I don't really think so though as he isn't feeding more often during the day. I am going to do Baby Led Weaning with him starting any day now. Problem is any time I have wanted to offer him some he's been really unhappy and its not a good time. I think I might try this afternoon after his nap if he has one.

[Mum2TwoDSs]

Hmmm reading these posts I certainly can relate to some things, not the fully waking up, talking and not sleeping part, but the cranky early hours between 5-7am...we got that pretty consistently since 1 month till now (3months). Some mornings were worse and we just bring him to our bed so we can easily attend to him. DH tried holding tight over his chest with the dummy. I mostly bf him with him cradled in my arms sitting up. I find bfg lying down more uncomfortable too but at least we get to sleep a bit.

Hope it gets better for you soon.