[wagaboodles]

My 5-month old has been waking every 2-3 hours at night and of course nursing is the only thing that makes him happy. At first I thought this was a growth spurt, but now I think it has become a habit for him because it's been going on for at least two weeks. Prior to this we had 6-10 hour stretches from him. I'm beyond exhausted and if this is still growth spurt feeding, I'll hang in there, but I have a hard time believe that's the case at this point.<br><br>
He did have a slight cold before it all started, but that has cleared up as far as I can tell.<br><br>
Any insight that my tired mind isn't thinking of?

 

[njbeachgirl]

is he having a lot of new developmental milestones?<br><br>
teething?<br><br>
nursing less during the day because the world is so interesting?<br><br>
just some thoughts <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="smile">

 

[Jess A]

My five month old is doing this as well. It's like he's a newborn again! He was up three times in eight hours last night. Eating every hour sometimes during the day but for only short bursts. And since I can't nurse lying down, I'm up and feeding him each time and it's starting to really catch up with me.<br><br>
I read somewhere that a lot is going on at 4-5 months, both physically and developmentally. It's a growing time and a gearing up for all the motor development (sitting up, crawling, etc) and emotional development (separation anxiety, etc) that's coming up. I just figure he's tanking up and needs it and that in a couple weeks, he's going to explode into a new little person doing all kinds of great things (at least that's what helps keep me sane when he's up so much).<br><br>
He's also nursing less during the day and is easily distracted--a whole world to check out! He's been fussier and hard to please . . . I kind of look at this stage as an awkward transition time. Too old to be a newborn but too young to really play and entertain himself and get what he wants. Both my other kids went through it, too.<br><br>
I'm trying to enjoy it and remind myself that the day will come when he'll only nurse a few times and I'll miss it. Already I miss the cozy nurse-all-day days of his newbornhood. But it is tiring--I'm exhausted almost all the time between him and my other two . . . and on top of it, everyone expects that things are "normal" by now since he's bigger and it's been five whole months <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/wink1.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="wink1">. He's our last, too, and that helps keep things in perspective (though I still get crabby from being tired all the time).<br><br>
HUGS and know you're not alone! And try not to look at the clock at night--it helps me. I moved it so the alarm can wake DH but I can't see the numbers. Oh, and try not to cheat and ask DH what time it is . . . it defeats the purpose <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/wink1.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="wink1">.

 

[quirkylayne]

Well, it is a little late but my guess is the "four month" sleep regression. Yes, it is usually because of developmental stuff.<br><br><a href="http://www.kellymom.com/parenting/sleep/4mo-sleep.html" target="_blank">http://www.kellymom.com/parenting/sleep/4mo-sleep.html</a>

 

[Momtwice]

If I had a nickel for every mom who posted a question about babies that used to sleep long stretches and don't anymore, I'd be a very wealthy woman.<br><br>
It is probably the most commonly asked question here.

 

[wagaboodles]

We already had the four month sleep regression and never fully rebounded from it. I recognized milestones at that point (rolling over from tummy to back and object permanence). Two weeks ago he had a cold when the really frequent waking started, so I just went with it, knowing that the extra fluids would help him. I realize there is all kinds of development going on right now, and he definitely is interested in the outside world while nursing during the day. The teeth are under there but they have a long way to go. It helps to know that what's happening is normal. I do think part of his waking is simply out of habit, so I didn't nurse him at the 2:30 waking last night and he slept happily until morning after he went back to sleep.<br><br>
I did search through posts last night and started to gather that this is a common time for disturbances. Thanks MDC for keeping me awake last night to get me through the rough phase!