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mummy17
mummy17 | January 2008

sleeping through night

just wondered if anyone had any ideas how i might get my 3 month old breastfed baby to sleep through the night..he usually gets up a couple of times and generally doesnt sleep during the day..this is tiring me out..if anyone has any ideas they would be greatly appreciated

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katierose
January 2008 | katierose
Re: sleeping through night
Hi, My bub was also like this, however in addition to not sleeping AT ALL during the day,she would scream endlessly! It turned out that she had silent reflux and colic, however by the time I managed to get that advice she was 6 months old and the worst had resolved. It is very tiring and soul destroying. Get bub checked by a paediatrician to rule out any problems. If all is OK then it may be that bub is really overtired and is not learning how to settle. The nightime wake ups are pretty normal for a breast fed bub. During the day, once you have fed bub, have a short playtime, wrap bub securely and put bub downto sleep. Pat and soothe until bub is asleep.Try playing soothing classical music on repeat as a sleep cue.  Once bub gets into a sleep pattern, bub will sleep much better at all other times. I tried allof the following - walking with bub in a front carrier, I also used it while doing the washing and shoppping, she seemed to like the upright position( she hated the pram and I gave that up as a bad investment after walking many km's with a screaming hysterical baby in it!) Going for a long drive( she never slept, but at least the screaming slowed down!) Popping her in a bouncer .....twice in 3 months she had a snooze in it!  Good luck.It is hard with a cranky tired baby.Do rule out any problems as it is not usual for a baby that ypung not to sleep during the day ( the night time is a whole other story!)


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Domestic-warrior
January 2008 | Domestic-warrior
Re: sleeping through night

It is always a tricky one, here are a couple of other things you could try:

A dream feed at around 10-11 pm try not to wake baby but gently pick him up and place him on the breast, you may have to encourage him to feed and try for a few nights.  The theory is it keeps them full for longer and they sleep a bit more.  Hopefully by passing that midnight wake up.

I used a dummy with my third child because i just needed to sleep...not everyones cup of tea and wasn't mine until now!!

Try re-settling him without breast feeding, by shhhing and patting and i found that if Dad goes in to re-settle it was better as they can smell the milk on Mum.  Although i didn't stop night feeds until my children were about 5 months old.

Swaddling is also good as they can startle themselves awake with their jerky movements and they like the confined feeling.  I found my baby was a bit over swaddling at this stage (maybe 4 months) and strong enough to get out of the wrap but i have heard of people using it for up to 6 months

Anyway there are a few tips you could try, otherwise you will find it wont last forever and he will eventually sleep longer and longer.  i was also going to say, try getting him to sleep during the day as it can really effect a babies night sleep, you would think they'd be so tired they'd sleep at night but the opposite happens.

cheers Julie



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emmysmum
5.00 (Excellent) | January 2008 | emmysmum
Re: sleeping through night
ok firstly.... you have got it luckier than alot of parents out there....someparents out there have babies that do not sleep - only cry.
Secondly, is he getting enough milk, and if so, is he getting all the required nutrients from your breast milk? What is your diet like....is it good or is it full of bad stuff?
They are just a couple of things you need to look at. IF you are a smoker, chances are he is looking for a nicotine top up, which he would get from your breast milk.
I would try extending the amount of time you feed him for on each breast, as this will determine whether or not he was indeed still hungry.
Alternatively, if this doesn't work.... do you give him small amounts of boiled water daily? With this heat, regardless of what the world health organisation says or many other people.... breast milk whilst it does have water in it, it isn't enough! Try giving your baby 30 mls of room temperature boiled water every couple of hours.
Sorry i can't be of more help, but i never had this issue with my daughter!
Cheers


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lillkatheryn
5.00 (Excellent) | January 2008 | lillkatheryn
Re: sleeping through night

I can relate.  My son would do the 30 min nap then wake up crying, of course I got into the habit of picking him up.  One thing you have to remember is that they learn habits.  So if you are getting him shortly after waking and you know he is still tired, let them fuss a little and try to have him fall back asleep on his own.  He will learn to sooth himself and in turn sleep better in the day and at night.  But since he is BF it may be awhile before he will sleep thru the night, and this is very normal.  Now that I let him fuss and he is self soothing himself he will only wake at night if he is hungry, which is an imediate cry, whereas he will just squirm if it's him just waking up, but still tired.  Also, being so young he needs to sleep during the day, alot!  He could also be suffering from sleep deprivation, which makes it even harder for him to fall asleep and stay alseep.  It's like they become either super hyper or always cranky....My daughter suffered from this when she was this age and I had to make sure she slept alot to catch up and get back on track.  Hang in there and Good luck!!  Any quesitons feel free to minti mail me!



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