Hugs and advice needed!

[Big D]

DS is 16 months old. We've had rough night patches in the past, but this is the worst it's been in over a year! We have fixed daytime and bedtime routines, so I don't know why this has suddenly changed! This week he's been waking up between 1 am and 4:30 am and staying awake for 2-3 hours! He doesn't act like he wants to play, he stays in bed with me nursing on one side then the other and back again with his eyes wide open! It's like he doesn't know why he's awake, but can't sleep either.

Here's our routine (in case that helps) :
8:30 wake-up (natural wake-up, no alarm)
Breakfast
Play at home
Morning walk
11-2 nap
Lunch
Play outside/go to park/library, etc
6 pm Dinner
7:30 bathtime
run around bedroom while mommy gets everything ready for bed
bedtime stories
nurse to sleep
8:30-9 pm Fast asleep

I am open to any and all advice- I just want to sleep!! These night time marathon nursing sessions are killing me! (I know some have it worse, and it does help just to know others go though this too.)

[memyselfandmarie]

Are you nursing a lot through the day too? Maybe he is getting most of his milk at night?

[Big D]

I hadn't thought about that, but I think you are right! He is a very active toddler and doesn't want to sit still long to nurse during the day (just sips here and there). If he wo n't nurse much during the day should I try feeding him more snacks (cheese and veggies) so he will sleep better at night?

Still open to suggestions....
Thanks!

[Sfcmama]

Originally Posted by memyselfandmarie

Are you nursing a lot through the day too? Maybe he is getting most of his milk at night?

My first thought too. My DD is only 7 mo and has recently become too interested in the world to nurse much during the day (since I can't always be in a dark bedroom all day) and has started "dream nursing" - as a lactation consultant called it.

I feel your pain, mama!

[ms. pacman]

Oh, can I relate! And I could use some hugs and advice too. DS is 18 months and has a very similar routine to yours. He's been waking up in the night, and sometimes he'll start saying "no no" and then screaming and then I have to get up with him. The only thing that will stop the arching, screaming, and crying is to put on a Diego show

Sometimes he'll say his version of "tomato" and "cracker", so I don't know if he's having dreams of frustration, or if he's hungry, or what. It's terrible. Last night I was up from 2-3 am with him, and then he was still restless the rest of the night.