Posted: 16/05/2011 at 01:56
Hi girls
I probably shouldnt be writing this when I'm so upset as it's probably just going to sound like a big emotional rant and I should probably wait til I'm more clear headed. I've had yet another horrendous night with my 9 month old baby and I was wondering whether anyone can give me any tips or advice??
Alex has never been a great sleeper. I believe part of this is due to him having such severe reflux which he is medicated for. He was sick a lot in his sleep and couldn't sleep lying flat so spent many weeks asleep on my chest whilst I sat upright to stop him vomiting. He also had lots of feeds through the night as he could never take more than a couple of ounces at a time through the day because of the reflux so would need feeds in the night as he was never full enough.
Anyway, we cut out his night feeds about 7 weeks ago and for a time he was sleeping great. Not quite sleeping through as he still needed settling/dummy a couple of times a night but I was able to get more than a string of 3 hours asleep!! Hes also weaned (although is still only ok pureed food as he can't tolerate lumps very well without vomiting)
My problems really started about a week and a half ago. He's started waking up literally every hour screaming. When I go in he's in floods of tears and is sat bolt upright and he looks so scared. It really upsetting to see him like it. I've been picking him up as I was upset seeing him like that too but he then just won't go back to sleep or if he does it's for like 50 mins then the same thing happens again. Are these night terrors? I'm just confused though as I've read that when they cry they are still asleep but Alex is very much awake?
I thought maybe it's because I'm picking him up but I tried last night to just shush in his ear and stroke his back but when he did eventually stop crying (15 mins) he woke up again an hour later crying and sitting upright again. I'm so confused. I thought maybe teeth but he's fine once I pick him up...he just doesnt want to go back into his cot. He's not showing any signs of teething in the day either and is eating fine etc.
The only thing that's sort of changed is that he's been having longer naps in the day. He will only sleep in his cot (sigh) and when we're out he just refuses to sleep and gets overtired. When he does nap in the afternoon though he can sleep for about 2 hours so it's quite a big thing for him not to have this but apart from staying in every afternoon (which I can't always do) I can NOT get him to sleep (pram/car seat/on me etc) could losing his nap disturb his sleep so much??
Sorry this sounds a bit like clutching at straws and I really hope it's maybe a phase...but I'm just really struggling to cope at the min

Im also 15 weeks pregnant and don't think pregnancy hormones help with me getting upset a lot!! I am married but i don't oh helping in the night time mainly because he works a stressful job and I want him to rest but also he normally does the opposite to what I want him to do and I'd rather just do it myself!! And I do keep going to bed early to try and get some sleep in before Alex does all his waking and crying...but I'm feeling like Im
Not spending anytime with oh as he gets home from work, we have tea and then
I go to bed!!
Any advice greatly appreciated...do you think it could be night terrors? Do I need to be more strict and stop picking him up when he cries?? Should I make sure he gets the second nap? I just feel so lost with it all
Thanks