Why doesn't he go back to sleep?

[JamieB]

For the last couple weeks or so, DS does not ever go back to sleep after he wakes up at night. He is always up for at least two hours. So he might go to bed for 20 minutes and then be up for 2 hours. Or he might go to bed for 2 hours and then wake up and stay up fo 2 hours. I can't take it anymore and it's making me a vey angry mama. He doesn't nurse back to sleep, rock back to sleep, nothing. It's like he wants to but he can't, like he's haf asleep but can't get all the way there. Please help. I'm beyond frustrated and really need things to change.

He's 5.5 months by the way.

[Katie T]

I would start by getting his ears checked, it that is fine I would wonder if maybe he is teething. Does he seem fine during the day? (Happy, or tired, crabby)?

Sometimes when they are working on new milestones they will wake to "get more practice time" in, but it seems like something is stopping him from letting himself relax and fall sleep (I'm understanding you correct right)?

When he wakes in the night do you keep the lights/tv off?

[JamieB]

I don't *think* he is teething but I could be wrong. I was worried about his ears because of his sleeping but the doctor forgot to check them at his appointment the other day so I guess 'll bring him back in.

And yes, you're rght, it's like he can't relax to go back to sleep. Like I think he's sound asleep and then he'll all of a sudden start squirming.


We stay in the room at night and don't turn on any lights or tv. I got used to this because he was always such a quick eater and then he would go right back to sleep. Now i'm ending up in there for at least an hour and most of the time after that hour we end up in the living room because he's wide awake for a couple hours. He seems to want to keep nursing now, almost frantically, whereas before he would be happy if I traded it for his soother.

Thanks for your reply and ideas. I'll get his ears checked!

[Katie T]

Yeah, maybe they are bugging him so he can't get into a deep sleep. Hope you get it resolved soon.

[Louisep]

It might just be a phase you have to ride out. DS has been through many different poor sleep phases. Every few weeks he's awake in the night for a couple of hours. I'm like that too - can have difficulty falling back asleep.

What time does your LO go to bed? How many times does he wake up? When is his last nap before bedtime?

[carrie a.]

sorry to say this but my dd does the same thing and she's 20 months old. i've come to believe it's a body clock type of thing. once she's awake she has to cycle through to another sleep cycle. the only thing i've found that helps is to prevent her from waking up all the way at night - it helps for some reason when my dh sleeps in her room with her. good luck!