Waking every 20 minutes!

[penstamon]

DS recently got his first cold (4.5 mo) and maybe is teething. We can't get him to stay asleep more than 20 minutes day and night. He wakes up wailing and then it takes another 20 min. to get him to sleep again. He won't nap any longer than that so obviously he is becoming sleep deprived. Dh and I can't function anymore. It was already bad but this is a nightmare. He is getting over the cold- his fever is gone and the stuffiness is clearing but now this residual bad sleeping. We are trying different positions, clothing, temperatures, BFing to sleep or not, pacis, white noise, etc.

How do we get him to sleep again? "Sleep begets sleep", but how to even get sleep?

[Mizelenius]

Will he sleep upright in a carrier (like a wrap or mei tai)?

I know this won't work for night, but would help in the day.

[Still_Learning]

Just wanted to let you know you're not alone. Dd has been doing this for months now and it's killing me

[Maluhia]

Did the cold go away and leave an ear infection? Can you and DH take turns rather than both help at once so you end up with a few hours of rest each?

It does get better - sick, teething, and a notorious age for sleep regression all at once! That is a lot. This too shall pass

[JavaJunkie]

Every time my oldest would start the waking-every-20-minutes thing when he was a baby, he had an ear infection.

He wasn't the best sleeper, anyway, but every 20 minutes was really bad even for him!