No Longer Sleeping Through The Night

My girls are going to be five months old next week. They've been STTN for about two months. The last two nights, D has woken up at 4 am wanting to play. The first night, I couldn't get her back to sleep until about 5:30. Last night was much easier. BUT her sister L wouldn't go to sleep in the first place, and then every time she did, she would only stay down for 30 minutes at at time. When she'd wake up, she almost immediately go into her hysterical scream cry. We changed her, gave her a couple of ounces of formula, but nothing seemed to work. She's now napping in her swing (which I'd finally broken them of about a month ago). What is going on?

Could they be teething?

 

Could be teeth or it could just be a phase they are going through, only time will tell. I remember my kids going through several phases like that, when for no known reason they would start waking up at night again. I just tried to keep it dark & as quiet as I could and wait it out. It usually didn't last too long. *fingers crossed* If you think they are teething, a bit of ibuprofen before bed will sometimes help them sleep better.

 

Could be a phase. It seems like 4 and 5 months they "wake up" and realize there SO SO SO much going on around them and they dont want to miss it! Im sure its just a phase as DD went through it for a few weeks. DS is still going through it at 9 mths but then again, hes the nosier one lol

 

Could be just about anything. You can try a bit of Tylenol before bed and see if that works. Try a bottle, which you did. Or, I would just chalk it up to one of those things that happens here and there. Just another bump in the road of the first year.

 

sounds like a classic case of sleep regression. the 4 or 5 month sleep regression is pretty common and you can read more about it here. there are lots of theories about brain development and sleep development and growth spurts but the bottom line is, you're probably seeing something totally normal. and you may very well have teething issues on top of that.

it's likely temporary and once you get past this developmental milestone they'll go back to STTN.

 

I agree - we went through this...lasted a couple weeks and then we were back to a pattern. Although the pattern wasn't STTN...LOL.

 

I'd focus on the AM naps. So first nap 2 hours after they wake up. Then next nap often at 12 and possible short afternoon nap. Then an early bedtime at say 6:30 - 7 pm. Sometimes with being busy busy busy during the day and getting the kids out of the house they get these short non-naps in the stroller which isn't quality sleep. It affects them at night and they don't sleep. Keeping consistent naps makes them sleepy at certain times. The more they sleep the more they WANT to sleep.

Heather

 

Well, everyone was right! It seemed like a phase. They're back to their normal routine (even though they are now waking up an hour earlier than before, but I can deal with that).

I've become very protective of their sleep, so ideally, I make sure they get three naps a day--usually two long ones and one short one. But, of course, there are some days (like today) when they don't get any good napping in. Here's to hoping they sleep pretty well tonight. :unsure:

 

Faith - so happy to hear that they are sleeping better!! They will go through phases where their sleeping patterns shift and I understand how frustrating (and exhausting) it can be! It seems like you're doing a great job keeping them on a consistent schedule/routine and keep up the great work. Though don't be too hard on yourself when they go off track in terms of sleeping because often there's not much you can do except wait it out. Good luck!!

 

Glad to hear they are back to sttn! And don't you just LOVE when they start to wake earlier? We were doing well when all three were sleeping until 8-for almost two weeks. Then BAM-6:30am! WTH?!!? LOL! I remember really worrying about the night when naps weren't so hot for the day. Surprisingly-like it usually is with two-it was pretty good! I hope the same goes for you!