4 Month Old Not Sleeping All of a Sudden

It sounds to me like teething. My son would wake up a few times in the middle of the night for extra bottles. We'd pop one in his mouth and he'd go back to sleep (unless he was REALLY in pain....). You may find that his sleep goes back to normal in the next week or so... (and then it will happen again in a month or so...) I know some kids get rashes or runny noses (like a cold) when they're teething... my son gets really flush cheeks, gets a little cranky, and wants extra bottles (day and night).

Good luck!

My thought was teething, too, or he is hungry.

I know lots of moms love Babywise, but personally, I hate that book. No offense meant to you at all. We all do what we feel is the best way to raise our kids. I just disagree with Babywise, especially for the first 6 months of life a baby is not "manipulative". A baby is a helpless creature that needs food and love when they need it, not when Mom says the baby needs it. As baby's grow, their bodies are constantly changing. Once they get on a schedule, their body grows and changes some more and the entire schedule has to be changed. Babywise does not give much if any leeway for that. I think it just teaches the baby that no one will come to feed or comfort them at night, so crying is useless, even if they are hungry and need comfort.

Also, the cereal could be irritating his digestion and giving him gas pains, and the cold could be giving him a sore throat or making him miserable, and Babywise says to cry it out anyway. I just don't agree with it.

My 3 month old is doing the EXACT same thing... he has a slight cold as well... but I've concluded that its teething. The teething caused the sudden waking up and screaming at 3 am and also the cold symptoms (runny nose, slight fever) ...his teeth might not be cutting through but (like my son's) they may be beginning to press down some. If you feel any knots on his gums.. thats what it is... and it does hurt them, so it would explain the sleeplessness.

Teething tablets are great! Especially for babies this young. I am very uncomfortable giving my 3 month old motrin or tylenol. The teething tablets work wonders for us.

Has he been vaccinated or sick recently?

Have you looked into teething? This is about the age. Or rolling over? Ear infection from either the teething or cold?

And don't worry about the anti-babywise stuff.

i cannot wait to hear the responses becuase i am going throught the very same thing with the cat napping and i need a break.

If he's had a cold he very well could have an ear infection they are worse at night its worth a trip to the doctor.

Like the others said, he may be hungry and need a bottle. Also, he is a little young for the rice cereal, so maybe it's making his tummy hurt or giving him gas. Maybe hold off on the cereal for a little while.

Sound like a perfectly normal 4 month old me! Also, 4 months is a growth spurt age for babies. Your little one is waking up at night because he is hungry so go ahead and give him that bottle. It's not creating a bad habit, it's meeting his physical needs. As for the naps, it's once again a normal developmental stage. He is starting to become more aware of his surroundings so his sleep cycles are changing. If you just follow his cues and allow him to set his own schedule he will soon work though these cats naps and return to napping for longer more regular stretches. I would also suggest cutting out the cereal for now. He doesn't need it nutritionally and it could be causing his little stomach to be upset.

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Give him a warm bath with the night time soothing bath made by johnson and johnson. He is probably congested and it is hard because he is probably also getting teeth. Give him some baby tylenol and get some hylands teething tablets. They are awesome and do not have a nasty after taste like the oragel. May be wait until he feels better for the oatmeal. Good luck