Seeking Help with a 3 1/2 Month Old Who Is Waking up Four Times a Night

Could it be possible that she's teething? I know it's a bit early but it's been known to happen. I've had similar problems with my nine week old but in her case it's GERD, which is infant acid reflux and medication has worked wonders. Does it only happen when she's laying down?

Hi M.. My daughter is now 16 months and I went through a simialr situation as you did. FOr me, there was nothing I could do, I just held her until she ccalemed down, but during the early months, up to 9 months, I would feed her everytime she woke up, which was every 3 hours on the dot!!! The sleeping pattern got better each couple of months. The waking up went from 4 times a night to 3 times a night, then 2 times and by the time she was 1, she still wokr up at least once a night. I would speak to other moms whose babies would sleep through the night at 2-3 months old and I just would not believe them....I'm letting you know that it will get better. I truly think she's either thirsty or hungry when she wakes up and sctreams and wants her mommy's comforting arms to fall back asleep.

I've been in your shoes. Don't get discouraged, you are doing everything you can do! When I had my first child, I was working and going to school full time. Sleep was precious. His up all night spurt lasted 10 months! Finally, I had to sleep! I ended up feeding him and putting him back down, many times with me. I know everyone says don't let them sleep with you! At some point you have to decide how long can you keep going like this. I've never regreted doing this. It ended up being precious bonding time with my baby, and he sleeps in his own bed now!

Hi!
I was just talking about this with one of my friends who has an 18 month old daughter. Same problem, waking up, and not sleeping for very long after that.
What she realized is that she was putting her daughter to sleep too late - like 9ish. So, every night she put her to sleep 1/2 hour earlier until she finally would sleep the whole night. She now goes to bed at 7PM and sleeps until 8am with two 1 hour naps during the day.
I'm not sure why this worked, but Mom is very very happy!
Hope this helps...

A. O

I just read in Your Baby's First Year by the American Academy of Pediatrics that by 4 months your baby should be able to go 8 hours without eating. They recommended if the baby wakes up not to feed her because it will become a habit. I know this is hard but if she takes a pacifier that might help her get back to sleep. I don't know if this helps or not but just thought I would let you know what I read.

M.,

It is very possible she began a growth spurt but has now disrupted her sleep habits. You can try feeding her more often during the day. That will help both the possible reflux by giving her smaller amounts more frequently and also, let her sleep in a swing in a more upright position, you can add swaddled and see if that helps.

Please let us know what worked for you.

thanks,
K. Willis

I know this may not be much comfort but at this age, it is very normal for a baby to NOT sleep through the night. The research I have done shows that most babies don't. It's also a fallacy that feeding them more during the day will help them sleep better since their little tummies are only the size of their fists and cannot hold much food at all. Also, some babies (such as mine) do not respond well to CIO. There's an excellent book by Elizabeth Pantley called "The no cry sleep solution". I also highly recommend the books by Dr Sears since he and his wife have 7 kids and I feel are far more knowledgeable because of this and the fact that he is a pediatrition and she is a nurse. Another EXCELLENT book is Harvey Karp's book "The happiest baby on the block". This book helped us find ways to soothe our baby. I also recommend the dvd version of the book in case you're pressed for reading time.

Good luck. The first few months are a blur but it will get better.

I hate to say it but this is totally normal. Every time you think you have her in a routine she will probably change the routine on you. She is only 3 1/2 months so it is not uncommon to wake up like that. I would try keeping her up a little later at night and maybe a nice warm bath right before bedtime to try to soothe her. Maybe playing soft music in her room at night. My son would always sleep better if we ran the fan to the air conditioner continiously. Best of luck.

Hi, M.,

My son slept through the night at 7 weeks, but my daughter took almost 7 months. She was up several times a night. She would nap well in her bouncer chair during the day, but would not sleep at night. I was (am) working, and it was hard!! We think it was congestion. She just could not sleep well lying down. (She ended up getting tubes at 14 months after a series of ear infections). When she was 4 months old, I started having her sleep beside my bed in her bouncer chair. She still woke up a couple of times, but all I had to do was reach down and pat her, not get out of bed, and she would settle down and go back to sleep. Then we bought a wedge that we put on top of her mattress but under her sheet that elevated her head. Babies move around a lot, but it did seem to help a bit. If she sleeps okay in a chair but not a bed, it could be that she is congested. Good luck and hang in there. I know how hard it seems now but it will get better! My daughter is 2-1/2 now and in about 2 years, she's only been up in the night maybe 5 times, usually when she is sick.

So far you have great advice. I echo the concept that since you are working she may be waking for personal time with you. I also agree the timing is right for a growth spurt. My 6 month old will wake every once and awhile for an extra feeding at 4:30 am. None of this is a solution but this too shall pass.

As far as I know, most babies at 3 1/2 months still eat once or twice a night. I'm sure your pediatrician can give you more insight on this particular aspect, but it could very well be that she is hungry.
M.

Hey M.!
This is my first time on Mamasource and I'm in need of sleep advice too! My 5 mo. old was doing great at night and then took a toll for the worse the past month. Now he wakes up in the middle of the night "talking" and playing in his crib. After we let him do this he starts crying. Like yourself, we've tried letting him cry it out..sometimes it works, most of the time not. We're not able to sleep either b/c we hear all of it too! Please let me know if you get any good suggestions-at this point I'll do anything! I feel like putting my hands up in the air-
L.

Have you ever heard of "Babywise"??? You should get the book and read it! It works!! I have a precious 18 month old and she has been sleeping thru the night since she was 2-1/2 months old and sleeps 10-12 hours. She also takes 2 naps a day and sleeps 1-2 hrs. I have talked with 2 different pedi. about this and ask if it is Ok for her to sleep this much and they both said this was great and what was my secret. One of the DR. knew right off that she was a Babywise baby because she had raised all 4 of her kids as Babywise babies. She also has been extremely healthy with no serious sickness and NO ear infections to date. (Thank you God!) She is adopted so I cant really claim that it is due to mine or my husband's healthy genes...haha, but I promise its a great book and if you apply the principals..IT WORKS!! If you want to discuss it further, then shoot me an email and I will give you phone # or direct email address and we can chat some more! Good Luck and GODSPEED !!

Is she eating more often during the day? Perhaps it is a bit of a growth spurt. Does she seem to sleep better when she is at least semi-upright? Some babies have a bit of reflux and laying down after eating causes discomfort. Then again, it may 'just' be a bit of separation anxiety. I'll bet she is very attached to you and doesn't like it when she can't see her mommy! At any rate, my experience tells me that episodes such as this don't last forever if we try our best to keep our children on a routine. Good luck!

Hello!! Ya know.. Is she teething? Do you see whites on her gums? She may be.. and when they do teeth it seems to hurt more during the night. Not sure why that is.. ?? Also... Maybe if you get her on a better routine of napping she will sleep better at night.. Also, Its hard to get a baby to sleep 10 hours at one time.. My baby girl does now.. but she is 7 months old.. Its hard.. I am sorry.. I do believe though that as she gets older it will get better.. Have you tried swaddling? ( as I type I am remembering what I did).. Not sure if you did this in the very beggining.. but I did.. and it always helped her sleep better.. just kinda rambbling.. hope I have helped.. ask your doctor.. she may be very well teething.. some teeth early.. also does she have a cough?? Sometimes when they are sick they dont sleep well .. try also soothing music,, (RAMBLING AGIAN>>LOL_)...