**What Is Happening at night--HELP!!!**

Updated on March 25, 2008
A.D. asks from Locust Grove, GA
33 answers

Hi,
I have a 10 month old that is recently having sleep issues. Im to my ropes end with this. Until these past few days, she has been a great sleeper. Down at 8pm up at 7:20AM. No issues. But this past week she wakes up if her passy falls out so either my husband or I go in there after a few mintues to give her passy back to her.Grant it she has like 2-3 passys around her so she can find them when they drop but she doesnt always retrieve them. WIth that said it now seems like she is waking up every 2 hours and crying. we put her down at 8 and she starts crying at 9:30-10 for 5 -10 mins and then stops and picks the pattern back up. But last night was a horror story for us. We put her down at 8 and she awoke at 8:40. Went back out and at 9:30 was awake again. SO i went in there to make sure her passy hadnt fallen out; it hadnt. I checked for fever--none. i gave her ibuprofen just in case as well as mylicon (she had some gas) and laid her back down (she was fine while i held her.) as soon as i laid her back down she commenced to crying frantically so i picked her back up and out of desperation put her in bed with us. we do not practice this custom; its rare. While she was in bed she babbled and talked (i had my back to her praying she would go out). She was fine. totally awake and alert and not crying. I couldnt take her scratching on the wall (she scooted up to headboard several times) so i put her back in her crib where she cried for almost 2 hours. I thought that would wear her out but she was back up at 7AM crying so i got her and put her in bed with me and she has been out like a light ever since.
called her DR and he wants to see her just in case. if nothing is wrong with her what should i do???

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So What Happened?

Thank you to all who were concerned and offered up their advice; went to the dr and he checked everything and he said it is possibly teeth coming in that he cant see and or separation anxiety with a touch of being spoiled ;>)
Last night was much better. She awoke only once and went back to sleep on her own.
A happy restful mom,
A.

More Answers

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C.S.

answers from Charleston on

I have been having the exact same issues for the past 2 weeks with my almost 11 month old. Turns out, she has FOUR teeth coming in at once. I give her a dose of tylenol on the really bad nights and that usually helps her sleep for a few hours (and me too thank God). Her pediatrician said that she'll be back to her normal self as soon as these teeth quit bothering her. I sure hope he's right because I COMPLETELY understand what you're going through. I'm exhausted!!!

Here's my advice: see if someone will come help you for a night or two. My mother-in-law came and stayed this past weekend and got up with the baby both nights so I could sleep. It was a blessing and a relief to finally get a good night's sleep. I really felt so much better.

Good luck! I'll pray this ends quickly for you AND me!

1 mom found this helpful
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S.G.

answers from Savannah on

My top 3 reasons......

Ear infection (hurts to suck on anything and laying down)

Teething

Growth spurt

Hope you figure it out soon!!
S.

1 mom found this helpful
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C.V.

answers from Atlanta on

Hi, My name is C.. Im a single mother of two.
A., I think it might be time to do away with the passy. Babies take in alot of air while sucking on a passy, which causes gas. As far as the crying until you put her in your bed, that could be her comfort zone when she has a belly ache. Try taking away the passy. I know it will be tough for the first few nights, but I think you will see a world of difference. Let me know if the advice works!!
Wanting to help, C.

1 mom found this helpful
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L.B.

answers from Atlanta on

Boy, do I remember those days. The most important thing that you can do during this time is to stay with your schedule!! DO NOT, and I repeat DO NOT bring her into bed with you - not even once!!!!!

You might be able to adjust the bed time to 8:30 but more importantly, what are you feeding her before bed? She might be getting hungry or even starting to get a tooth which would certainly wake a baby up. Maybe a little rice cereal before bed would keep her tummy full for hours and if it's a tooth, time will take care of it.

It's going to be tough to get her back into the crib and on schedule, but just put her in there and let her cry. The first night might even be 2 hours - the second night will be half as much and so on. Babies are VERY smart and they will work you just as much as an older child.

I know it's really scary to think about what "could be" going on with a baby when they're doing something out of character. Make sure they're okay then be firm. She's going to go through a lot of changes so just get ready and roll with it. The patterns that you set up with each other now may carry through to their teen years - stay strong now and it will be easier to maintain this pattern.

Good luck!!

1 mom found this helpful
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K.B.

answers from Albany on

I am an empty nester, and grandmother of a 17 months old. With both my children, I found that sometimes they were taking too long of a naptime(S) and not being stimulated enough during the day. I always made it a point to make sure they received outside time during the day, and some pretty busy play time with us.
Now, my granddaughter started this, and out of desperation, my daughter took her into her bed. (payback is funny sometimes)...and she would do the same thing to them..sit and babble and want to play. I suggested shorter naps and bedtime rituals..YES, it's even important at that age, and they saw a big change. My daughter did however always give a small dose of pain reliever to my granddaughter at bedtime, in case she was in pain with teething.
I also ran my own daycare for years, and found that some daycares give way too many naps, to keep the children out of the way. I never did this, and you did not mention if you worked or not, but if you do, you might want to speak to your daycare provider. Hope this helps. It's my guess teething is involved. Godbless, and good luck.

1 mom found this helpful
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M.P.

answers from Spartanburg on

Is it possible she's sleeping too much during the day? My eldest was 11 months when she gave up the two-a-days for one-a-days. It takes a while to adjust to the new schedule, but it happens. Hope you figure it out soon!

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M.F.

answers from Athens on

A.

I am so sorry for you! I understand and went through about 9mths of this with our kids. We found a CD that they love. It is by a band my husband likes called Thrice. One cd is rock and the other is very mellow and slow. We used to play it in the car (because we liked it also) and they would instantly fall alseep. We started playing it to them while they drank a bottle in bed and fell asleep. As soon as they were out, we would leave the room. Anytime they wake, we start the cd over again. It really works for us. I recommend trying something like that. At this point it can't hurt!! Good luck.

M.

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T.D.

answers from Atlanta on

perhaps she is trying to drop a daytime nap? That always snuck up on us... I would stretch nap time later a few days, then found it easier to leave the house and do an errand that was interesting for little one during that nap time, try to make it as close as normal to bedtime, then down for the night. Hopefully little is already taking two daytime naps at her age, push AM nap a little later and drop afternoon nap. Hope that helps!

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N.K.

answers from Atlanta on

Your doing the best thing by taking her to the doctor because the first thing that poped up in my mind is reflux. If so it could have something to do with the position she is sleeping in not who's bed.

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T.O.

answers from Spartanburg on

My son did this when he learned to roll over and then could not get back....he did grow out of it after a few weeks which were the longest 3weeks i remember :-(

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S.E.

answers from Augusta on

Is she teething? If this has been going on for a few days, that would be my guess. My daughters do that kind of thing occassionally, but it usually doesn't last for long. Good luck.

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L.J.

answers from Savannah on

She knows that if she makes a fuss, you will come running event if there is nothing wrong. First of all, she is 10 months old and should be able to find her passy and put it back in her own mouth. I know it is hard, but you have to let her cry. After 10 or 15 minutes if she has not stopped crying, go in to check on her. You should not pick her up, but that can be hard. If you do pick her up to calm her down, put her back in her bed with her passy once she is calm. You will have to do this for a couple of nights. She will learn how to self sooth at night. My eldest daughter was exactly the same way, she actually ended up sleeping in our bed for almost a year. She still wakes in the middle of the night, but she can get herself back to sleep, or if she wakes early in the morning, she knows how to entertain herself until the sun rises. She is an early riser, 5:00 am! I wish you all the luck.

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L.K.

answers from Atlanta on

My youngest child is also 10 months old, but he's never slept through the night. (long story) I'd say something is definitely hurting your daughter. It sounds like an ear infection to me. I would definitely take her to the doctor. Lying down is painful when you have an ear infection. The doctor can prescribe her ear drops for the pain as well as an antibiotic. Elevating the head of her mattress will help the pain for ear infections and possibly even teething. If it's not a medical issue, she will likely go back to her old schedule soon. Make sure she eats well before bed. Hang in there.

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M.H.

answers from Atlanta on

Hi A.,

These moms have hit the nail on the head and just about given you all the reasons. Teething and growth spurts make your body feel different and not as restful. As she gets older her diet is changing too which affects things also.

We all have sleep pattern changes, even as adults. The good news is that things do settle down. Keep a routine the best you can but "tweak" it just a little to make it work for her. Too big of a change will just frustrate her.

God bless!

M.

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H.P.

answers from Atlanta on

When I had these issues I bought books on the subject. There are books on the subject of babies sleeping at night (or NOT sleeping)! YOu can buy them on-line and have them shipped to your home. This helped me when I was going through something similar.

Talking to her the doctor is always best.

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A.H.

answers from Atlanta on

Once you get used to their pattern, they change it. It is absolutely normal for a baby this young to not sleep through the night. At this age babies are all of a sudden more aware of their surroundings. They realize it's not just you can me, but a big place out there. She may be looking to you for security, hence her being okay with you by her side. Take it in stride and don't get stressed out. Have comfort in knowing that all babies go through this at some point between six months and a year (and it could last a while, or not). Just be there for her in these times of need so you can strengthen the bond between the two of you. If you give her what she needs when she is little she will have the confidence to take on the world when she is ready.

Good luck, and congratulations on your new little one...

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B.M.

answers from Myrtle Beach on

It could be she is teething. If in doubt,rub the gums with Motrin instead of Orejel. The Motrin doesn't make the gums tough like the Orejel and the teeth will pop on through.

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D.W.

answers from Charleston on

Teething? It messes with schedules like crazy. Could be the IB took the pain away and she felt GREAT, ready to play!

My 9 month old woke up crying at 9 last night. Turned out to be her teeth. She's doing some hard core teething and is just in pain. I let her chew on a frozen carrot for a while, nursed her and she went back to sleep.

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D.K.

answers from Albany on

It sounds like she has an ear infection. What did your doctor say?

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M.P.

answers from Florence on

I have a baby boy who is almost 10 months old and when he was 9 months, he had the flu. Before he had the flu he was going down about 9PM and getting up about 5AM which was great. But since he has been sick, he has been getting up every 3 hours, taking a bottle and going back to sleep for a little while and back up again. I have just taken him back to the doctor and come to find out he has a double ear infection, no major fever and sinus infection. It is possible that your baby may have some sinus pressure keeping her from resting well. Not sure what area you live in, but in the south the weather has been cold one week, hot the next and now the pollen is falling like rain it seems. I hope it is something this simple.

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F.N.

answers from Savannah on

Not sure what's happening at night but I hope the doctor's appointment checks out o.k. May be a growing spirt or maybe she's having a bad dream. I would however start taking the pacifier away slowly. When my children start walking (10 mos.) and was able to put the pacifier in and out of their own mouths, I would put it up on the shelf during the day and slowly took it away from them at nap time and at bedtime. You don't want her still attached to it as she gets older.

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L.H.

answers from Atlanta on

If everything checks out at the doctor's office, I would say maybe she's ready to cut back on the sleep. It sounds like she wasn't ready for bed in the evening. Maybe cut out a daytime nap? I know it's tough when they slow their napping patterns - I really valued the quiet time when my son napped! She might wake up periodically during her sleep cycle. In that case, one of those mobiles that shine a light might be nice for her. Are there any noises that might wake her? I had to move my son's crib to another side of the room because it was up against the wall that was a hallway on the other side, and the noises would sometimes jolt him awake. I commend you for letting her cry - so many moms don't, and a wise mom I know once said - "They aren't going to rust!" Good luck - you might just have to try several things before you figure it out!!

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S.G.

answers from Savannah on

I am a stay at home mother who also a military wife. The best way to get rest is when you put the young one down for a nap you lay down and rest to. Are make sure you have your children on a schdule. When 8:00 p.m. comes put them to bed and than take some time for yourself. I am a mother with four children three of them was diagnose with problems. My youngest child is autstic and so he really keeps me busy but I still get a couple hours at night to rest.
S.

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J.C.

answers from Columbus on

A.,
I had a very similar problem...we have a ten month old daughter who has always been a great sleeper until about two months ago...she started waking up twice a night. In Dr. Brazelton's book called Touchpoints, he says that this is very normal for this age child. This is a period of time when they are making a lot of transitions...from being totally dependent to becoming an independent being. So, when they enter light sleep at night, they often wake themselves up. He recommends listening to see if they settle themselves down and if not to do what you normally do to resettle them. We just put her passy back in and readjust her if she has rolled over and she falls back to sleep. Some nights are harder than others.
We also just recently started our nighttime routine a little earlier because she was crying during our routine. We start bath at 7-7:15 and then we give her time to play in her room and she has been crawling over to me when she is ready and we read a book together and I nurse her and she goes to sleep. It seems to have helped minimize the number of nighttime wake-ups.
I hope this is helpful!

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I.R.

answers from Atlanta on

Night is sleep time. As hard as it is, you have to ignore her. I give my daughter about 10 minutes if she has wakened from sleeping. First check and make sure her diaper is dry, and maybe give her pain killer if you think she might be teething and then let her be. You are teaching her to scream and you'll get up and let her play. And when you check it, be very serious let her know that it is bedtime and she needs to go back to sleep.

Don't give her ibuprofen on an empty stomach. Tylenol has something in it that is soothing, and may help her go to sleep.

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M.F.

answers from Atlanta on

It's either teething or her body is just changing...remember there's night's you can't sleep well but you can just get up and watch tv or read she can't. It's going to happen sometimes I have an 7 yr old last week he had a few nights that he just couldn't get to sleep our routine had not changed or maybe he just didn't feel that good it happens to everyone off and on. I betting in you little ones case teething.

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M.W.

answers from Columbia on

From a mom of four, who is conditioning whom here? My daughter did the same crying stint. Make sure with the doc that she does not have any respiratory issues first. Then, put her in HER bed and go to bed with a set of earplugs.

╰.M.

answers from Myrtle Beach on

My 15 mth old only behaves like that when she has an ear infection... but be careful, I would always take her out of her crib, change her diaper and give her a milk bottle, right back to sleep she went... however she made a habit of getting up every night at 2 am now, just from being sick for 1 week! It's a hard one to break, I know you want to comfort your baby while sick, but just keep that in the back of your head also!
Hope everything works out at the DR, keep us posted!!

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S.W.

answers from Atlanta on

Hi A.,
Although my son was always a good sleeper, I do remember a time when he just wanted us all the time in the middle of the night. He would cry for chocolate milk, water or whatever he could think of. At this age babies start to sleep like adults, having sleep cycles and such. She may be having bad dreams and just does not know how to get herself back to sleep. We let Joseph cry. it is heart breaking but thats what has to be done. After a few minutes, you can go in, but I would not take her out of the crib. Every night she will cry just a little bit less. Some people willnot even go in. That is a little hard core for me, but you have to do what will work for you. I hope this helps.

Get some rest, S.

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C.C.

answers from Atlanta on

Like you said if nothing is wrong with her do like I did and let her cry. Mine would not go to sleep until her Dad came home at 11:00 pm. She would love on him and laugh then go to sleep.. I let her cry while I sit outside her door and she finally gave up.This went on for three or four days and now I can say after the fifth day she went to bed at 8:30pm and woke up at 7:00am
Good luck

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M.C.

answers from Charleston on

Whenever my daughter has acted like this it's been either teething, severe diaper rash from nighttime diarrhea, or learning a major new skill (walking, crawling, 1st word etc). I know it seems like it's been going on forever after just a few nights of this behavior (and everything seems so much worse in the middle of the night), but you just have to remember that she WILL sleep all night again whenever the problem resolves itself. Good luck!

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K.M.

answers from Atlanta on

It sounds like she my be teething try putting some medicine in her mouth before she goes to bed.I know its hard but not to put her in your bed.

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N.M.

answers from Savannah on

I have been going through the same thing with my 10m old baby boy. I believe it is partially to do with separation anxiety. He would be fine in my bed and want to play, but scream horribly when he even saw his crib. I decided to be firm and let him cry it out and learn to soothe himself. Checking on him every 30min or so to reassure him that I'm here and love him, but I don't pick him up. I also have a womb sounds bear that seems to help soothe him. Now after about 2 weeks, he is out after about 10 or less of crying, and stays out the rest of the night. Like your child, it started suddenly when before he slept fine. Good luck.

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