Baby Not Sleeping Through the Night

1. Does he have a full belly when he goes to sleep?
2. Have you tried the tough love method? It's not fun but it works.

Hi C.,
Sorry to say not all babies sleep through the night by eight months. My son did not sleep through the night until he was 22 months. I found out why by trial and error--my girlfriend told me that some babies have intolerance to iron in baby vitamins. My son had terrible stomach cramps as an infant--colick I was told by several doctors. However, when I switched him from formula to milk at about a year, things improved a little. I was giving him liquid vitamins at the time. When my girlfriend told me about the sensitivity to vitamins, I stopped giving them to him. He slept through the night for the first time ever. Many years later, when he was in first grade, my son became sick with quite a few things and my mother chided me for not giving him vitamins. So, I gave him a children's chewable. He came running to me within 15 minutes buckled over in pain. Yes, definitely an intolerance (allegery?) to vitamins. I have not given him a vitamin since and he has never had that cramping stomach pain again.

I am not saying your child has a vitamin allergy, but it could be some sort of allergy that is interrupting his sleep. There was an excellent book on the market that helped me through those sleepless nights by Ferber--it had a chart that you could track your child's sleeping pattern. I was sure my child never slept, but the chart showed he actually slept in a pattern all his own. The chart also showed me that he slept tow hours less than the average baby his age--and now, at 15 he still sleeps less than most teenagers! It helped me tremendously to accept that. One of the tips it gave was to postpone your child's bedtime for 15 minutes. Leave it at that time for a week. Then try a 15 minute delay for another week. Eventually the later bedtime will limit the number of awakenings. The book was smart in stating--you can't put your child to bed early (before 9) and expect him to sleep late (after 6 a.m.) You can't expect him to sleep both early evening to late morning.

Also, I read several proponents of the "family bed" which describes the way families in third world countries always keep their children with them at night when they sleep--no secluded bedrooms or cribs. That way everyone got a good night's sleep. My friend set a twin bed or cot next to their double bed for the baby--worked for her. I opted to sleep in a twin bed by the baby's crib. (My husband was a loud snorer anyway.) There are many solutions to this problem--and you might find one works for awhile and then does not a few months later.

I would NOT recommend the cry himself to sleep method that many may suggest. I think that is cruel and neglectful. Eight month olds do not know how to manipulate people yet (some may disagree but it is psychologically proven), and yet they know real fear and separation anxiety--they don't know when you leave you are just in the next room. They think you are gone for good! So, BE VERY EXTREMELY PATIENT! As hard as it is to go without sleep, you must be there for your child. If possible, have grandma (or someone)come over and do a night shift once in a while so you have one good night.

Good luck--and believe it or not, you will find ONE DAY you will sleep through the night. My son is now 15 and is an early bird--still gets up early but is in bed early. I am an owl--up half the night and sleep late in the morning. Remember--love and patience!
S.

It's false that every child sleeps through the night after 6 months of age. It's also false that no child needs to eat/nurse after they go to bed after 6 months of age.

My daughter didn't sleep through the night until 18 months old. My son, at 13 months does sleep through the night. I didn't "make" them do it...they just did it on their own.

I don't believe in CIO at this young of an age. Maybe take a few days and really listen to why your son is crying. Does he just need to be cuddled a bit (this was the case with my daughter) and gently taught how to go back to sleep? Or is he really hungry and needing to nurse/eat?

There have been numerous studies that have shown that allowing a baby to CIO is actually more harmful for the child than previously thought. Babies don't cry for no reason. At this stage in life, they cannot do anything for themselves and they need their parents. To put a child in a room and just make them cry themselves to sleep is telling them that what they need is not important. I know you are tired. I know you need your sleep. But, children are this little and dependent for such a short amount of time. I would strongly encourage you to find a different solution than CIO. If you find that your youngest is a heat-seeker (a child who "needs" to sleep by someone) you may want to consider having both boys sleep in the same bed (if at all possible. Even if that means putting a mattress on the floor).

Again, I strongly encourage you to search for the studies about the long-term effects of CIO and also the published findings of physiological effects of CIO. Even the doctors who once were advocates of CIO have since recanted on that advice.

Hi C.,
I am a mom of two boys...ages 3 months and 3 yrs. Both my boys were sleeping through the night (10 hrs) by 8-10 weeks. Some may call this "Lucky" but it took A LOT of hard work and tears on my and my husband's end.

Before my 3 yr old was born, mult. couples told us to read a book called BABY WISE and all swore by it. All their children were sleeping thrugh the night by 8-10 weeks and have continued to be good sleepers.

Basic princliples are to get the baby on a routine that will fit YOUR lifestyle. And to stick to the routine of EAT-PLAY-SLEEP in this order. I HIGHLY suggest this book. My sister-in law who has a son 6 wks older than my 3 month old has follwed the principles & also has a son who sleeps from 7p- 7am.

Our routine:
Awake: between 7 & 7:30am
Play: 7:30-9
Nap: 9-11

Eat: 11am
Play: 11:30-1pm
Nap: 1-3pm

Eat: 3
Play: 3:30-5
Nap:5pm

Eat:7pm
Play7:30-9pm
Sleep: 9pm-7am

Someone once told me it takes 3 days to change a behavior in kids....so far its been true for us. Those 3 days are usually the longest 3 days but you just need to keep in mind what your end result is going to be and its all worth the crying (on babys part and yours!)

GOODLUCK!

Hi,

I recommend that you read the No Cry Sleep Solution by Elizabeth Pantley and anything by Dr. Sears--there is helpful info on his web site at: www.askdrsears.com and he's written one book on sleep. And by helpful, I mean information about how unrealistic our notions about when babies should be sleeping through the night is actually, and why it makes sense to consider not letting your baby cry it out. I know it isn't easy not sleeping through the night, but once you realize that your baby may just be sleeping the way G-d and, or nature intended, it becomes easier to deal with. It's also my opinion that many people exaggerate and,or outright lie about when and how easily their babies started sleeping through the night. Anyway, that's my two cents. Hang in there.

Dear C.,

When mine were little, the books BABYWISE and BABYWISE II were so helpful! They recommended a "parent directed schedule" which got mine sleeping through the night in no time!

I think you'll be so much better off as they grow up, if you do the "let them cry it out" thing. They are little sponges and learn so quickly. YOU are in charge. If you don't come running for every tear, they'll figure it out and learn to wait for YOU! :-)

Best wishes,

D. B.

I am afraid I cannot give you a lot of suggestions for sleeping through the night but wanted to be supportive of him waking. My daughter is 13 months and has never slept through the night with no recommended methods working either. She will get up anywhere from 3 to 5 times per night. After checking with my ped, we have learned to deal with it (and I have my husband help out too). According to my pediatrician, it is healthy and normal for a child this age to be waking at night (although they should still be at least 12 to 14 hours sleep in a 24 hour period). Make sure he isn't napping too long during the day and instead of drawing things out, try putting him down earlier in the evening. I often find my duaghter can get into a better sleep cycle if she isn't already overly tired which equates to a longer period between wakings.

Our doctor gave us "The Sleep Book for Tired Parents: Help for Solving Children's Sleep Problems" by Rebecca Huntley and it help so much. We made many mistakes with our first daughter, one of which was rocking her to sleep. This book helped us to see that how a baby goes to sleep is how they will put themselves back to sleep when they stir in the night. If they are used to being held, being in mom's bed or having a pacifier etc, and wake up and that is different they will wake completely up and have to have that help to go to sleep again. We had to work for at least a week to finally get her to sleep. We established a bedtime routine - bath, pj's, bottle, book, song, kisses and put her in her crib. We would let her cry but the first night we went in every 5 minutes and did not touch her but spoke softly to her and told her to go to sleep. The second night we went in every 10 minutes and the third night and everyone thereafter we went in every 15 minutes. You have to do this at naps too. It is hard to do but your baby will be much happier in the long run. He will fall asleep with a minimum of crying and will wake up happy. I just helped our friend go through this process and it wasn't easy but they are glad they did it. They had started rocking their baby to sleep and then the whole family ceased to get a good night sleep. With our second daughter we put her down in the crib the first night and for all her naps and let her cry. She cried just a few minutes, since we knew she was tired, and slept very well. Crying does help to release the extra energy they have to relax them. Good luck! Get a friend to watch your baby while he cries a few times and you get out and take a walk.

Hi C.,
I had the same problem until my daughter was 10 months old. The doctor suggested that I "put the baby to bed awake, because she is waking up in the night and does not know where she is and is porbably afraid"

What???? I thought to myself - how does she NOT know where she is, she has been going to the same bed every night for the last 8 months!!!! Plus, I thought Ashley was "awake" when I put her into the crib. According to the doctor if the baby rolls over and goes right to sleep when you put them in then technically the baby is not awake enough.

So, we moved up her bed-time by 1/2 hour so that when she got to the crib she would be awake for 5-10 min or so. Once we did that she slep through the night.

P.S. she is 12 months old now and whenever we get her to bed late and she does not stay awake in the crib for 5-10 min. she will wake up in the middle of the night screaming. So that is how I know the doctors advice was right on the nose.

Good Luck

My 13 month old daughter still wakes up 2-4 times a night. And my son slept through the night as a baby, but woke up 2 times a night every night from 12-24 mo. Every baby has their own schedule! My only advice is take your baby to bed with you and hopefully you'll get more sleep, even if your baby isn't. It works wonders for us. We get a lot more sleep and aren't nearly as resentful about her waking since we still get to sleep.

I understand your pain- my son is 8 months and does the same thing. Right now I let him sleep in our bed most of the night. I really think it is the age- my other son had the same problem at this age. With my other son, I ended up putting him in his crib and sitting next to his crib while he was crying and saying calming words. I kept laying him down every time he would stand up and cry. He eventually had no choice but to fall asleep. It was difficult, but it worked. I'm not planning on doing that for my 8 month old, though, because it would be too disruptive to our household right now. I'm hoping to somehow get him sleeping in his crib all night without crying but I'm not sure how! I'm hoping it's something he grows out of... :) Good luck!!

I don't know that I have any suggestions. My 5month old just had his full night's sleep this week. I COMPLETELY understand sleep deprivation. It's so tough isn't it?! Especially when you have to be a functioning person during the day and don't get naps. All I can offer is some support...I kept telling myself..."it will happen eventually!" Hang in there.

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news but it just may take time before he sleeps through the night. my oldest was 8 months before he slept through the night. my middle son slept through the night at 6 weeks. my youngest was almost 3 yrs. old before he slept through the night. I tried everything under the sun for my oldest and youngest and nothing worked. it was all a matter of time before they finally slept all night.

How long does your baby sleep during the day? If you're letting him take multiple naps during the day I would suggest trying to keep him up especially in the afternoon into the evening. I have a 6 month old that has been sleeping through the night over a month now and I notice if she doesn't get a long nap in the afternoon she wants to go to bed early and sleeps longer into the morning hours. I also have an almost three year old son and he slept pretty good at night when he was an infant. About 8 or 9 months he kept waking up. Finally we just let me cry - it was hard especially since he cried for 45 minutes! The next night he woke up again cried for 15 minutes and fell asleep and that was the end of waking up. Good luck! I hope you find the answers you need!

I know most ppl don't believe in it but I had this problem with Ali. And finally I couldn't take it anymore so I did the Cry It Out method. I was lucky it only took one night and then she only cried for about 45 mins. It broke my heart and I stood outside her door and cried myself but ever since then she sleeps all night. From about 8:30-9:00 til anywhere from 6:15 and sometimes she sleeps til 8:30. Good Luck. And let me know what you choose to do.

It was the hardest thing I ever had to do but when my oldest daughter was a year old and still waking up several times a night I had to get a spine.

I finally just had to tell her that it was night night time and that mommy was not going to feed her or rock her in the middle of the night. I would go in and lay her down gently and patt her bottom and tell her that it was not time to get up...it was dark and mommy was tired. I would do that about every 15 minute or so as many times as it took to get her to go back to sleep. After about three nights she didn't try to get up until daylight started peeking through the curtains.

With my second daughter I made sure that I didn't go to her unless she was awake...not just whimpering. She pretty much put herself back to sleep unless she was hungry and very soon wouldn't wake up at all during the night because she was tired. She was sleeping a good six hours by six weeks or so and only got up once after bed time.

A few times as she got older she would try to get up in the middle of the night but unless she had a fever or was terrified by a dream or something I would not pick her up. I just went in and gently laid her down and told her it was night night time and she was not getting up yet. She typically would go right back to sleep.

Sometimes you have to let them cry. You can go in and pat their bottoms and reassure them that you haven't abandoned them if you are afraid of that. But don't pick them up and don't allow them to get out of bed. You are the mommy and you sometimes have to be a little stern. My oldest still has problems getting herself back to sleep from time to time, but she knows she's not allowed out of her bed in the middle of the night. The younger one just rolls over most of the time and goes back to sleep on her own.

Goodluck!!! Hearing your baby cry is very difficult, but it won't traumatize them at all. We all need to learn to deal with disappointment in our lives...and that's all they will feel is disappointment because mommy didn't do what they wanted mommy to do. Just be gentle but firm...they will know mommy knows best.

I have to agree with Michelle C. too. Although I didn't do the "Baby Wise" method, both my boys were sleeping through the night by 8 weeks. It took a few nights to accomplish, but I was so desperate for sleep by 7 weeks, that I was firm on getting my babies to sleep!!! I don't believe that babies are purposefully manipulative, but I do believe that we condition them...and their little bodies get in the habit of waking/sleeping at the same times every day. I think letting them cry themselves to sleep works the best. Unfortunately, the longer we wait to do this, the harder it is to accomplish!!! By 8 months of age, the crying will most likely last longer and be more intense. However, let him cry for 15-20 minutes. If he is still crying, check on him, but do not touch him, talk to him, or turn on the lights. I know this sounds harsh, but it really does work... you just may have to let him cry himself to sleep several nights in a row. I would also suggest putting him in his bed awake but drowsy, so he can learn how to fall asleep on his own if he wakes us during the night to roll over/cough/etc. He knows you love him by all the love and attention he gets during the day~ and he will quickly learn that all you want is for him to sleep. Good luck!

I have a 10 month old girl who did the same thing. She is still not perfect, but a little rice cereal in the bottle before betime helps. Also, make sure he is in his crib at nap times, etc.
I feel your pain! I still have not woke up feeling refreshed one day.

Hey C.,

My husband and I just went through this with our 7 month old. She was waking up 3x a night and a friend of mine recommended the book, Health Sleeping Habits, Healthy Child by Dr. Weisblooth. I read it over and over again. Our baby had colic for the first 4 months so we used to do anything and everything to get her down and calm her down. This contributed to us running to her side everytime she let out a yelp. He recommended we simply close the nursery door and let her cry it out. The first night she cried for 3 hours straight and then slept through until 7 am. This went on for about 3 days. But it worked. She sleeps straight through now from 8-6 am.. 6am is still a little early for us but we'll take it. Good luck! Hope this helps and hang in there.

I agree with Michelle C. She wrote almost exactly what I was thinking. You have to get some sleep! Please try Baby Wise. It works. I went 6 weeks without sleep. Enough was enough. As you probably know, not sleeping leads to depression. And when you are depressed, you aren't a good mom anyway. So, get the baby to sleep through the night. This is good for him and for you!

Oh C., I'm totally with you. My 7 mo. old is the same way. Are you breastfeeding? It seems mine has gotten used to falling asleep nursing and constantly wakes up looking for it. It's mainly my fault since I gave in just so I can get some sleep. My 2 yr old was easier as I let her cry a little to learn to comfort herself and get out of the habit but I can't with this one because she may wake up the older one. I'm going to try getting her used to something else as a "security blanket". My sil suggested having her hold a teddie while nursing so if she awakes at least the teddy will still be there. I leave a soothing music cd on overnight in the room as well, it helps the older one too.

My baby did not sleep through the night till he was about 3 years old. Sometimes I think it is the nature of the child and there is nothing you can do. You may not want to hear this... but patience and trying out to figure out why is all you can continue to do. These are things I tried which sometimes would work and other times did not:
Warm bath, baby masage, a tablespoon cereal in milk, change diaper prior to bed, stories (sometimes woke him up, gripe water, everything and anything). My little one was diagnosed as cholic. Today- he is 5 , happy and healthy, and grew out of his waking through the night at 3. It was rough. Some nights my mom took him so we could get a break from lack of sleep. The doctor tried to put him on drugs and we refused- due to the side effects on the childs mind. Also, look in some natural healing books for babies- lots of tips there to help you out.

C.
I too also agree with Michelle, I used the baby wise method with my first daughter and she was sleeping 8hrs by five weeks old. I know have a four week old and the past two night she has slept 7 1/2 hours. by the way I am breast feeding her as well as my first. I also just watched the Dunstun Baby Language DVD and found that very usefull as well, although your 8month old may be too old for it. I've been told by two ped nurses that by the time a infant hits 6month they can and do start to remember how their parents respond to their actions, so your son know that if he cries you will come. Hang in there and give Michelle's suggestion a try for at least a week (it takes 7 days to create a new habit. And remember know baby ever suffered from a little crying.

M. P

The times I remember being so tired that I wanted to die were when my kids were 7 months old (the elder) and 8 months old (the younger). I don't know what it is about that age, but I was back to work by then with both kids and it nearly killed me. I remember my older son had been sleeping through and stopped at that age.

I'm not sure what to suggest specifically, but there does seem to be something about that age. I'd look at one of the sleep books to assess naps and so on to make sure there's not something you should change about the schedule, and then choose a sleep training approach that works for your family/child. We did sort of a modified Ferber approach - where you comfort the child without picking up and then let him cry for a few minutes. But I also remember plenty of nights of nursing to sleep in my bed, because I had to sleep for my sanity. Whatever works is my motto when it comes to sleep!

(edit) Just thought of one more thing. By this age, you can start cutting calories at night and make them eat more during the day. That actually worked for my older son, and now that I think about it, was how we fixed the night waking problem for him. So if you are giving bottles, start cutting the formula with water until it's water only (over a period of 3-4 days.) They will start adjusting by eating/drinking more during the day. If nursing, do everything you can for 3-4 days to keep from feeding at night, or at least cut back each day. Each day, they will eat a little more the next day during the day. If it's a mis-timed hunger problem, you should see results pretty quickly.

I've seen you gotten quite a lot of responses. But I thought I'd just add mine. Our son started sleeping thru the night at 4 months, we may have just gotten lucky.
We would put him to bed awake.
We put a fishbowl toy that attaches to the side of the crib. He could turn the music on by himself and was very happy just playing with it in the middle of the night. That helped a lot.
I would always check on him when he cried during the night, but wouldn't pick him up or talk to him.
I put a small humidifier in his room for some white noise and that seemed to work wonders.
I hope this helps. Just hang in there.

I second the recommendation of the book Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child. I used it for my first colicky and cranky son, he was totally breastfed, and he slept through the night after we started the sleep training at 4 months. I have three kids, I have breastfed them all for a year, they all slept through the night (most of the time, of course there are ocassional glitches) after about 3-4 months.

The key to the book is not to let kids get overtired. You put them down BEFORE they start getting cranky, their naps are incredibly important. Mine go to bed betwen 6-7 as babies, and they sleep 12 hours. No cereal, no formula. They all slept 2 naps as well as small guys, my littlest one is 6 months now.

Good luck!
Jean

I hate to say this but at 8 months it is probably NOT the norm to "sleep through the night". I've talked with many mothers and apparently many moms either don't tell the truth or bend the truth when it comes to how well their babies sleep! I too felt desperate to get my baby to sleep through the night but the more I read and talked with other mamas, the more I realized that it is actually normal for babies that age to wake multiple times per night. You always hear about the babies who sleep all the time - that would make me so mad!! So anyway, I sympathize with you.
The only advice I have is to get them to bed early (like anytime between 6:30-8:00), and try to make sure they get REALLY good daytime naps. Sleep begets sleep so if they're not sleeping well for naps or you're trying to tire him out so he'll be more tired - it won't work! Don't worry about them waking too early. Yes, he may wake around 6:00-6:30 but it will help him sleep longer.

Get the book, "Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child", by Dr. Mark Weissbluth. I started using his methods with my 17 month old son when he was 9 months old. It works and my son has scheduled naps during the day and sleeps between 6:00-7:00 pm at night. Here's the link to the book on Amazon.
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0449004023/002-###...#

I have some suggestions, but I would need more info. Like: does he nap well during the day? bottlefed or breast? any family history of food allergies( I know a lot about this one; all 4 of mine are allergic to cow's milk protein). does he wake frequently and just seem hungry or is he fussy and hard to get back down?

C.. I don't know the history of your situation but here goes. I do NOT in anyway claim to be a doc, nor would I ever exaggerate about this. I hear your pain. I'm just a grandma with 6 grandkid baby experiences. My 3 own babies, and grands all slept thru the night starting around 8 to 3 mo. YES all. I really owe it to the advice I was given by my own kids pediatrician 34 years ago. He told me to do 3 specific things to insure they SLEEP all night. Those 3 things are, a) FULL tummy meal around 1 hour to 30 min or less before putting down at night. and DON"T put down too early.....(i put mine down around 9 or 10). Cereals works BEST - not protein. If you are a breast feeder only - well I'd consider supplamenting (as a non-sleeping baby can be a sign of NON satisfact in the tummy. Check out why: Is baby reallllly getting enough milk , or is milk weak.) b) always put in room a SOUND machine or fan (blowing away from baby) TO COVER outside noises c) always cover it's windows with down pulling light blocking shades (not very expensive @ walmart) but give the family LOTS of rest!! Another thought - you HAVE to be willing to train a baby too (let them cry it out) but that's easier to do when you KNOW you've satisfied their tummy and checked out potential problems that could be beyond them just wanting to CONTROL you with their crying.... Hope it helps.

I was going to see what all your responses said but I can't read through them all so sorry if you've already gotten my advice :) I feel your pain bcuz my son didn't start sleeping through the night until he was 11 mo. old. I think I know the problem though...now months later. I think it was a combo of his teeth hurting plus ear infections. He's had about 4 ear infections already. One time we didn't even know it-he was just there for shots. The Dr. told me that one of his ears had a "raging" infection while the other was really bad too. We didn't even know it. Take notice if he's uncomfortable in any way regarding his ears and teeth. My son is only 13 months old and all of his molars have already cut through almost completely. Also, altough I don't really care for the cry it out method (and refused to do this for MONTHS!) I do believe that it does become a habit for babies to do this. If your baby has no other problems (teeth, ear infections) then I would start to do what Shannon A. said- just go in there every so often and reassure him. Pat him ,cover him. Then do this less and less as the days go by. If nothing else is wrong with him then he should start sleeping through the night in a few days. Some babies are just strong-willed and want their way especially if they know M. and Dad will give it to them. We just had to let our son cry it out a few nights ago for about 30 minutes. The next day he slept through the night and has been since. Some babies just are harder than others when it comes to this issue. Hope this helps. Hang in there!!!!!

Are you still breastfeeding or straight formula. If you dont have him on table foods yet try mixing rice cereal with the formula.

I am not a believer that a baby that young should definitely be sleeping for long stretches. I also have an 8 month old. She does pretty well, only crying out about 3x/night, only 2 if I'm lucky. I'm referring to an 11-hour period. I nurse her exclusively, FYI.
I've read that since babies are learning to do new things all the time that they are often disturbed in their sleep b/c they're thinking of all th enew things they're doign or going to do, such as sitting up unassisted, crawling, standing, perhaps even walking, eating solids, learning sign language, etc.
He could have an imbalance, perhaps bowel-related. Does he seem to cry with pain, or is he just 'awake?' My DD (8mos) sometimes has gas (seems to be crying w/ pain and I hear loud gurgling in her belly) and i give her a homeopathic gas remedy for that. It works w/in minutes.
my DS (now 3yo) used to wake like your DS when he was that little. However, he had/has eczema and i am certain that contributed to his waking (scratching, itchiness, etc). He didn't sleep thru the night (whole 11 hrs) til 50 wks old.
Please write back w/ more info about the circumstances; I'd love to try to help figure out what's going on w/ yr little one. best of luck.

Hi C.,

Sleep has been the biggest challenge for me since I had children. They both sleep through the night. You say you have tried many things so it's hard to suggest without knowing what exactly.
Is he eating solids?
Could he have acid reflux?
My dd woke up through the night every few hours screaming and we found out she had GERD.

Is he waking up crying?
Does he only go back to sleep if you feed him?
Is he in his own room or with you?

Give me some more info and maybe I can help you, I know how important our sleep is and frankly, there isn't that much help out there

What does your doctor say? Sometimes it may take longer for some children to actually learn how to sleep. Do you go and get him at the first signs of waking up? We use to let our little guy fuse for while when he woke up so he knew he wasn't going to get a response right away. We also always had a fan on so there was some kind of white noise in the background. Is he hungry when he wakes up? Maybe he's not getting enough to eat. Is it too hot or cold in his room? Maybe when he pees at night the wet diaper wakes him up. There are a whole lot of reasons it's just a matter of figuring out which one it is. Hang in there:)

my last son woke up evey 3 hours until he was three years old. I was told I let it happen when he was quite samll and now it is what he knows. I eventually started changing his diaper gave him a drink....then went back to bed sometimes he would cry and sometimes he went right back to sleep. the waking up got less and less as I did less and less when he woke up every few. It was very hard to try to just ignore him, it goes against mother hood. Is he in a room by himself? I thought that was my sons problem.
K. B

Oh, my.... I don't have the answer, but felt I needed to respond to share my pain with you. Your child is 8 months; mine is going to be a year in a couple of weeks and I still have a total of three hours of interrupted sleep! HELP!!

I think what we are doing wrong is attending to our babies' every sound (at least I do). Everyone tells me you have to leave the child in their crib and close the door. They may cry for some time, but then you will have your sleepful nights and supposedly they will sleep more comfortably as well.

My problem is, I can't do it. I can't think of my poor girl crying unattended. Not only that, but she is sleeping with us in the bed because I don't want her to be cold and lonely...

Well then, C., let's hope to get our beauty sleep soon. My hope is that one year threshhold (you only got four more months, yeah!).

do u go to him as soon as he starts to stir or make noises? does he sleep in his own room? my son, who is a lil over 3 months wakes up at 3am every morning, but sucks his thumb to go back to sleep if i don't go to him...i have had to trian myself to sit still in the bed to listen to feel what he needs and he is just stirring...maybe your son needs a lil more milk before he goes down for the night and if he is still in the same room with you, he could be waking up from your tossing and turning...talk to your doc about it if you haven't already...oh, and another thing could be that he sleeps too much during the day...i hope my thoughts help!

Here's what worked for us when we had trouble with our daughter....Now, my daughter was 18 mos old (now 20 mos) when we did this when she was in a strange anti-sleeping stage, but perhaps the technique could work for your child, too.

We would read to her in her room, lights dim. It calmed her down. We would put on a really sweet instrumental lullaby CD and rock her for one, maybe two songs. We would put her down w/ her bear and a silky/soft mini-blanket and walk out. If she cried, we'd let her cry until she cried in that way we knew she wasn't going to console herself. We'd go in, NOT pick her up, just calmly say, "Oh, where's your bear? There is he is! Let's cuddle with your bear" and put her back down again, put blankets back on her and walked out. She didn't like it, but when we did that a few times she realized we were there and love her and would come if she needed us, but we weren't going to cuddle her and take her out of her crib. She learned in about a week to soothe herself back to sleep. I'm NOT kidding... in Dec/Jan we were getting up with her several times a night and rocking her to sleep JUST to get her to sleep. We did this consistantly (be consistant!) for a week and at the end of Feb to even now she doesn't even want to rock anymore! She just wants her bear and her blanket and down she goes, awake with the music on and she falls asleep on her own and no more night waking.

Also, what I learned (I have a 3 yr old too) is that these kids will just go through times of good sleeping habit and not-so-good sleeping habits. Try to stick with a technique you feel comfortable with (knowing the long term consequences/benefits) and stick with it. Could the baby be teething?

GOOD LUCK!!!

Just wanted to say that I know it's hard and I've been there. But no matter what people tell you, there is no age at which a baby "SHOULD sleep through the night" especially if he's still nursing. Hang in there. PM me if you'd like the names of the books I found helpful:)

My only advice is, whatever you do you need to be consistent for several weeks. Babies don't automatically know that they're supposed to stay asleep for a certain amount of time. You have to teach them- whatever you do when he wakes up is sending him a message. If you change it all the time, it confuses him.

My first child I did the cry-it-out method. Some people think it's cruel, but hey, she slept through the night at four months and so did I!(And she's four now and a perfectly healthy, happy, intelligent child.) With my second child I took what some might say is a little softer aproach. I would let him cry for about five minutes to see if he would go back to sleep on his own, then go in, check to make sure he wasn't poopy or sick and then put him down without talking or even looking him in the eye. It took more work and patience, but he also sleeps for 12 hours at night. There are so many methods, again the important thing is to stick it out until the message translates to your baby.

I hope this helps.

Try a hot water bottle covered with a blanket. I put lukewarm water in a hot water bottle you can get at the drugstore. I wrap it in a fuzzy blanket just to be safe. I find the baby will roll over and snuggle with it.
I do not agree with the CIO method. My daughter is almost 11 months and still not sleeping through the night. I have been told by my MD and everyone who wants to give their opinion to just let her cry but I refuse.
Good luck and DR sears has a great website with more tips.