five month old suddenly waking up every hour on the hour. what's normal?

753 Views 6 Replies 5 Participants Last post by Fisherb, Jun 14, 2004

geekgolightly

Discussion Starter · Jun 9, 2004

i thought maybe this was due to a growth spurt so for a few eeks i've been waiting this sleep-pattern-change out, but it looks as though he has decided that waking every hour on the hour (sometimes not getting to sleep for over an hour

: )is here to stay.

i know that some kids sleep for long periods until about four months and then begin waking, but i never thought it would be hourly wake-up times. i nurse him back to sleep and don't mind that much, but im concerned about what is "normal" and how to help him sleep for longer periods at a time (even every two to three hours would be great) i'm starting to look like a raccoon and in a few months ill be going back to work (not by choice

i make more than twice what hubby makes so i have to go back. we are getting in debt little by little each month) and by then i will need for him to sleep a few hours at a time. i nurse him back to sleep currently and it works.

any thoughts ideas experience in urging the little ones to sleep more than an hour at a time?

TIA<
kathy

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MamaAllNatural

· #2 · Jun 10, 2004

Is he getting more mobile? Teething? Do you lay him on his tummy?

: Just pretend I didn't recommend it ok?

: Usually it's either something like teething/growth spurt or it's developmental. When they get more mobile and their little brain goes to the next step something happens where they wake much more easily and much more often. He sounds a little young for this but if you feel he's a little advanced then that's probably it. I know, it's hard and no fun. It kind of just has to pass. Maybe you can try drinking some strong chamomile tea starting in the early afternoon and he'll get it in your breastmilk all night. Also, you can give him a bath with lots of lavender to help relax him at night. Other than that all I can say is

I can total relate to the racoon eyes phases. I hope it gets better soon. Try to nap whenever you can. I know, easier said than done. Hang in there.

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sarasprings

· #3 · Jun 10, 2004

My son did this too. I think it was because he was teething. It's not easy. I started taking magnesium supplements and eating foods rich in magnesium so that I went back to sleep more quickly.

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geekgolightly

Discussion Starter · #4 · Jun 13, 2004

Quote:

Originally Posted by MamaAllNatural
Is he getting more mobile? Teething? Do you lay him on his tummy?

: Just pretend I didn't recommend it ok?

I can total relate to the racoon eyes phases. I hope it gets better soon. Try to nap whenever you can. I know, easier said than done. Hang in there.

you guys are so sweet to answer. i dont think he is teething, but he just today started sitting up without assistance and grabbing at toys, so i guess that was brewing. last night he actually slept for two hour shifts all night so i got more sleep. still raccoon eyed today, but i feel better.

thank you for your support and i am going to use the lavander lotion for his massage in the evenings. i hadnt thought of lavender.

(i tried the tummy out of desperation but he freaked out like a turtle on its back, so i righted him again.

)

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geekgolightly

Discussion Starter · #5 · Jun 13, 2004

Quote:

Originally Posted by sarasprings
My son did this too. I think it was because he was teething. It's not easy. I started taking magnesium supplements and eating foods rich in magnesium so that I went back to sleep more quickly.

thats interesting. ive not heard that application of magnesium. thanks for the tip!

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Jaimep

· #6 · Jun 14, 2004

Sorry to tell you, but we were this way for a couple months. I thought we were gonna collapse! Finally, after she started rolling all the way over (6 months), started sitting up alone (6 months), cut 2 teeth, (7 months) and then two more at 8 monts. Things have finally settled down alot. Last month we started trying to get her to go back to sleep with patting/rocking, things other than nursing. We nurse about every 4 hours now. She is just now starting to actually sleep through to 4 hours. After a few more weeks, we may try to stretch it to 5.
It will get better, it just takes time.
Jaime

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Fisherb

· #7 · Jun 14, 2004

DS is almost 6 months old, but at 5.5 months, we were going through this same thing, and brought him all the way into bed because I was soooo tired (his crib was side-carred, and does still sit there). This helped us, but I will add that he also cut 2 teeth, and they've powered in. They are already about 1/2 way up!

So.... to get this back to you... We somewhat concluded that he was a little cold (maybe?). Maybe he just knew that we weren't ready for him to be waaay over there next to us.

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