Baby Won't Sleep Through

[poppysdaddy]

My daughter was 7 months old when she was admitted to hospital, she was suffering from severe bronchitus, and ever since she will not sleep through the night she will wake up and stand up in her cot and screem like there is barbed wire in her nappy, usually 4-5 times, if I'm lucky she will 1-2 minimum, every time she wakes up she has a full feed though (6-8oz). she is now 10 months old and i am at the end of my tether, any help or advice, from you ladies would be appreciated.

[Twiglett]

replace the feed with water?

if you wish you can do it slowly ie increase the water

she's got into a bad habit, you need to teach her how to settle herself back to sleep

there's also pick up put down or controlled crying methods

[hermykne]

poppysdaddy
i wouod reduce the night feed amts drastically, she needs to learn sleep without the drink association, and to have her fill in the day,
so try 4oz then 2oz gradually, this may take awhile and youll have to put up with it,

there are a number of sleep methods, no cry solution, contolled crying, pick up put down, if you search sleep you'll find them.

good luck

[Twiglett]

it takes up to 3 weeks to break a habit .. personally I'd do it in small steps but only give water at night for a week

Then I'd try PUPD

I would pick her up, wait till she calms down and then lay her down .. don't talk to her .. don't even get eye contact .. just calm her and put her back down to sleep and leave the room

and keep doing it .. you may have to go in 100s of times in the first night

the next night will get a little easier and the next until she's finally sleeping through

it normally only takes a week or so

and a week or so of no sleep is far better than months and months of being woken

don't worry PD .. it is possible to get through this .. if you need to get mumsnet online at bed time .. we can support you through it as there's normally people around at all times (thanks to the antipodean contingent)

[poppysdaddy]

OK Thanks, What are the controlled Crying methods!?!

I think i have tried simelar but not religiously.

[Twiglett]

biggest mistake you can make trying something half-heartedly .. what you teach by only doing it partway is that they just need to shout a little longer / louder to get your attention and then you make it worse the next time you try to adjust their behaviour

you really NEED to pick a route and stick to it no matter how hard / heartbreaking it seems

remember always that Poppy is in a safe and secure place and no danger can come to her

[poppysdaddy]

Thank you, i will give it a good go and let you know.

[Bozza]

Are you really seriously saying that some nights she could be drinking 25-30 oz of milk in the night?

Agree with Twiglett's advice and definitely the plan of being strict with whatever method you choose. Also ensure you start at a time when she is well and not teething and perhaps at the weekend when you can hopefully catch up during the day.