Waking through the night a lot more.

[TiredMommy]

My baby used to sleep about 5-6 hrs at at stretch at night, but lately he has started waking every 1 1/2-2 hrs at night ALL night. He is going for 3 hrs between feedings during the day, and usually has one 4 hr nap during the day (he takes more than one nap a day, but one long one). He is close to 3 mos old now, and i am wondering what has caused this. Any ideas, what can I do to get him to sleep for longer stretches at night? I will NOT let him CIO that is cruel IMO. I am just so tired again. What is happening? This has been going on for 2 weeks now, so I don't think it's a growth spurt, plus he would be hungrier during the day too, right?

[BrandiJR]

I would not let him nap for 4 hours. Maybe he is thinking the 4 hour nap he has is his night time.

IMO I would try breaking that nap up, making sure he does not got the 4 hours without eating, and see if that helps. I hope it is a phase that ends soon.

[Lorraine76]

Could he be teething? Babies will start teething at different times and although you may not see any obvious signs, lots goes on under the gums before the teeth are ready to come out. I agree with lillypie, a 4 hour nap (especially if its not the only one) may be too long...and if he takes this big nap late in the afternoon it certainly could be contributing to his waking.

Babies also go through various stages, and sometimes as they get more alert and aware of their environment they can become more wakeful.

In all honesty though its normal for babies to wake this frequently, I know lots of babies, mine included that woke every hour and a half for 2 years. So he may just be doing what is normal for most babies...and changing to formula (most people think this is a quick fix) may not change his sleeping patterns.

Hang in there, hopefully changing his day time naps will help.

Lorraine
--------------
"spend some time with me and discover the essence of breastfeeding"
http://www.the-essence-of-breastfeeding.com

[NewMum]

I totally agree with breaking up that 4 hour nap.
My DS got in that habit about that age, too. After about an hour, hour and a half, I'd wake him. He usually napped three or four times throughout the day, a couple long ones and a couple short ones. Also, DS started teething early into his 4th month. That shifted his napping pattern again.
Anyway, all that did was get him to sleep just a little longer after I first put him to bed. He woke frequently during the night until about 10 months. Now, at 17 months, he still wakes on average two times.
So, what you're going through, though draining, sounds pretty normal. Hang in there, mama! You're doing a great job! : )

[crystal555rose]

I also thought of teething when I read your post. Definitely cut the long nap- he is getting so much sleep during the day it would be tough for anyone to sleep well at night. I also support your decision to not allow him to cry it out. Now my son is 14 months and I can explain things to him, we are working on him going to sleep on his own in his crib. He is doing really well, even though he would rather cuddle with me. He doesn't really cry, I just reassure him and tell him he is doing so good going to bed on his own.

[debsmooth]

I think that's an Official Growth Spurt accompanied by the hungries. I would spend time in the hours before bed (let's say 9 to 11) just feeding. Make sure your baby is really draining each breast. Even try switch-feeding, one breast to the other until you are sure that kid is full of milk. If he awakens in the night, keep lighting low and sounds quiet. Maybe use some soothing white noise in the room. Change him fast with minimal interaction then get him onto the boob again in bed. In the day time, make sure he gets outside or sees daylight and that you are spending some time on the floor with him just playing or that he gets time under a mobile just freestyle kicking and using up some baby energy. Take him out for walks in the stroller. I am sure he will return to sleeping more once his milk supply meets his needs again before bedtime. Good luck.