Help! LO stopped sleeping

[linden25]

I'm at the end of my rope here. LO has been a terrible sleeper from the start. She would only sleep in our arms until she was 7 weeks old. After 7 weeks she started sleeping stretches in the RnP. At first it was a couple of hours at a time and then the last few weeks it was 2 long stretches with only one night time feeding. Things were going great until this week. So far she and I have had only one decent nights sleep since Saturday.

Last night was bad. She was only sleeping an hour at a time before she would wake up screaming so after 3 hours of this I gave up and she slept on me while I sat in the glider.

I was hoping tonight would be better but so far she has only slept 20 to 45 minutes at a time without screaming. What could be going on? Is it normal to have such a crazy sleep regression at only 10.5 weeks? Is anyone else going through this? I thought things should be getting better, not worse. I'm feeling totally alone right now and pretty desperate for things to get better.

[rn536]

Could baby have reflux? Did you try a rock n play? No real advice but thinking maybe she is uncomfortable laying flat???

[birch113]

I'm so sorry. You must be exhausted. (((Hugs))) I think rn536 has a good suggestion. Not all reflux is clear cut epic spit ups, etc. Miles has mild "silent reflux". He coughs and sneezes, not excessively, but here and there throughout the day; and he gags from time to time each day. Pedi isn't concerned, and he does ok laying flat now, though in the early weeks it was all about the RnP.

My only other thought is just from what I see with Miles. If he isn't swaddled, he will only sleep for short bursts and generally only in my arms.

Hang in there, mama!

[beckyrosen]

Following. My LO is not sleeping well this week either (but it seems slightly better than yours) and she is also 10.5 weeks.

Good luck, hope your LO sleeps better tonight.

[bookworm87]

I believe in your post you said you were using the rock and play already? I'm extremely paranoid about ear infections because both me and my sister got them. My mom said when I got one they could tell because I wouldn't sleep so is she acting particularly distressed about something on her body, like batting her ear or anything?? I would call the doctor immediately if you see something like that.

What else does she have to soothe her? We use the rock and play, a paci and a white noise machine if we need it. I normally feed him so he is sleepy then, when he pulls off because he is done, I slip the paci in his mouth. This keeps him happily asleep but not overeating. Then I carry him to the RnP, put him in and, if he starts to stir, turn on ocean noises. I will also sit and rock him in the RnP til he is fast asleep. Normally, once he goes in the RnP for the night, I try not to pick him up again except for his feedings.

If none of that is working for you, then you might just be going through a development period and she is being especially clingy. I'm so sorry that you are going through this. It sounds terrible.

[linden25]

Thanks everyone. She does sleep in a Rock n Play. We aren't brave enough to try the crib yet. We also use white noise every night and swaddle. It goes on as part of our bedtime routine.

We were using a paci but she has stopped taking it. She now just chews on it and spits it out instead of sucking on it. She has been chewing on the bottle nipple when we give her one each day too. We were wondering if that maybe meant very early teething.

She hasn't been noticeably batting her ear but I'll keep a lookout just in case. She doesn't have a temperature.

birch113 LO sneezes and coughs throughout the day too (not all day like a cold). Sounds very similar to Miles. I hadn't heard that it could mean reflux. That's good to know. Thanks

[linden25]

beckyrosen I'm sorry to hear you're going through this too. It is really exhausting.

[rayray007]

You may be going through a wonder week or growth spurt. Usually they say they happen at around 12 weeks/3months, but yours might be a bit early. My LOs were sleeping great until 12-13 weeks. Then it was terrible for a week or week and a half, but now it seems to be back on track.

[rn536]

Feb 20, 2015 3:07:35 GMT -5 bookworm87 said:

I believe in your post you said you were using the rock and play already? I'm extremely paranoid about ear infections because both me and my sister got them. My mom said when I got one they could tell because I wouldn't sleep so is she acting particularly distressed about something on her body, like batting her ear or anything?? I would call the doctor immediately if you see something like that.

What else does she have to soothe her? We use the rock and play, a paci and a white noise machine if we need it. I normally feed him so he is sleepy then, when he pulls off because he is done, I slip the paci in his mouth. This keeps him happily asleep but not overeating. Then I carry him to the RnP, put him in and, if he starts to stir, turn on ocean noises. I will also sit and rock him in the RnP til he is fast asleep. Normally, once he goes in the RnP for the night, I try not to pick him up again except for his feedings.

If none of that is working for you, then you might just be going through a development period and she is being especially clingy. I'm so sorry that you are going through this. It sounds terrible.

Oops my bad. I read your original post as pnp instead of RNP. That's what happens in the MOTN! Hoping it's just a developmental thing and LO gives you some sleep soon. Hang in there.

[birch113]

linden25 Welcome! I was surprised to hear that it's from reflux, too. I was worried he was allergic to the cats.

[lovesbooks]

Don't know if this will be helpful but I read about the five S's from the book Happiest Baby on the Block. Swaddle, put them on their side, Shhhhh sound, give the paci, and swinging.

[iaminigomontoya]

11 weeks today and we went through something similar last week. He finally seemed like he was getting this sleeping thing down and then regressed for a few days. Good thing is it didn't last long and he's been napping like a champ the last couple of days.

[linden25]

@iaminigomonotoya thanks. Your story gives me hope.

[liljsmomma]

Hang in there momma!!i have no advice for you I'm sorry I think the other ladies have given you some great advice! Hopefully it's just a wonder week and you can get some rest soon!!

[2jelplus1]

linden25-- week 10 was a complete disaster for us sleep wise, day 7 or so of sleep regression was the first time since giving birth that I feared I might not survive motherhood! The good news is she's back to sleeping two 5hr blocks (with a 45-60m waking period for feeds and changes) maybe 8 or 9 days after it started?

I think it is/was developmental-- LO started grabbing stuff midway through this period and she is now obsessed with playing with her swaddle blankets, but she was also EXTREMELY fussy during the day and was diagnosed yesterday w silent reflux.

It will get better. Not sure if it helped but it started getting better when we got disciplined about putting her down w a nighttime routine around 7p. These days it's down at 7p, wake circa 8, feed and put back to sleep until 1:30ish, wake and then back to sleep until 7:30ish. Hang in there!

[birch113]

2jelplus1 I hope you don't mind my asking, but is there anything you are doing for your LOs silent reflux? When I mentioned some of my concerns at LOs last pedi visit, she said it was silent reflux, and left it as something he'll grow out of. I was more concerned about his shots at that point, so I didn't give it much thought.

[linden25]

Tonight is starting off just as badly as the last 2 nights. She's been fighting sleep and cluster feeding for almost 2 hours now with no end In sight. If I try to remove her from the boob she immediately wakes up and starts to cry. It's impossible to put her down or get any sleep. Once I do get her down I'm fully anticipating her waking up every 20 to 45 minutes again.

I have been noticing a lot of developmental changes in the last couple of days so maybe we hit the 11-12 week wonder week early. She'll be 11 weeks on Tuesday. Whatever it is, it's terrible.

[2jelplus1]

Feb 20, 2015 21:41:05 GMT -5 birch113 said:

2jelplus1 I hope you don't mind my asking, but is there anything you are doing for your LOs silent reflux? When I mentioned some of my concerns at LOs last pedi visit, she said it was silent reflux, and left it as something he'll grow out of. I was more concerned about his shots at that point, so I didn't give it much thought.

We have LO sleep at a slight angle, we give her Gerber soothe probiotics, and we actually just started Zantac. I would have held off on the Zantac but I've been concerned by LOs dramatic personality shift and Dr refused to investigate other avenues until we tried this.

[absolutelyayrianna]

Hiccups are also a sign of silent reflux. But I'm with PPs sounds like an early growth spurt. I'm sorry its so rough but it will get better!

[linden25]

Night 4 of our sleep regression is starting just as poorly as the last 3. I just spent an hour and fifteen minutes nursing her to sleep and she only stayed asleep for 40 minutes. The sort of good news is after the first time getting her to sleep the next few times getting her down usually only take about 15 minutes.

We found last night that she actually cried with her eyes close and if we are able to rock her in the RnP before she loses it, we can generally get her back to sleep before she fully wakes up (until she's actually hungry and due for a feeding). Unfortunately the crying episodes are happening every 20-45 minutes so we can't get any sleep if we want to catch it and rock her quickly enough.

I'm still thinking/hoping its developmental since we've noticed changes this week. Generally the days are great. She's been in a fantastic mood and really interactive. She's been napping frequently during the day but usually only for 30-45 minutes at a time. Hoping the crappy sleep ends soon. DH thinks we ruined her and she'll never sleep again. Thanks for all the support.

[2jelplus1]

It will get better! I wish I could tell you when. Does your RnP have a vibrating or auto rock feature? I'm wondering if it might buy you extra sleeping time.

ETA: try taking shifts with rocking and one of you sleeping longer stretches in a different room!

[birch113]

Feb 20, 2015 23:38:11 GMT -5 2jelplus1 said:

Feb 20, 2015 21:41:05 GMT -5 birch113 said:

2jelplus1 I hope you don't mind my asking, but is there anything you are doing for your LOs silent reflux? When I mentioned some of my concerns at LOs last pedi visit, she said it was silent reflux, and left it as something he'll grow out of. I was more concerned about his shots at that point, so I didn't give it much thought.

We have LO sleep at a slight angle, we give her Gerber soothe probiotics, and we actually just started Zantac. I would have held off on the Zantac but I've been concerned by LOs dramatic personality shift and Dr refused to investigate other avenues until we tried this.

Thanks. And good luck. I hope LO starts feeling better!

[birch113]

So sorry the nights are still so rough, linden25. 2jelplus1 had a great idea to take shifts. Any chance that will work for you guys?