6 and 1/2 month old baby doesn't sleep!

6 and 1/2 month old baby doesn't sleep!

by Kim
(Anaheim, CA)

I need a nap!!

My 6 and a 1/2 month old daughter barely sleeps so that obviously means that mommy never sleeps as well and I've read all the books and all that stuff and nothing has helped.

I am lucky if she takes 2 1/2 hour naps a day and at night (oh man) I put her down for bed about 7:00 pm and she wakes up crying almost an hour to the minute later every single night.

Once she's back to sleep she's up again either every hour or every 2 hours crying or whining. She's got to be exhausted because I know I sure am!! What can I do to help her sleep straight through and maybe, possibly get her to nap????

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6 and 1/2 month old baby doesn't sleep!

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Apr 01, 2009
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The Key: Why is She Crying?
by: Heather ;-)

Dear Kim,

Before I comment on your post - your daughter is beautiful! The photo made me laugh. She looks like she's full of spunk and fun!

It is pretty stressful when you (and your baby) aren't getting enough sleep. I'm not sure if what I'm going to mention is in the books you've already tried...If so, forgive me.

First, does she fall asleep and then wake up crying? or was she rolling around awake and then decided to cry? An infant video monitor has been really helpful for us in answering this.

Second, if she is indeed waking up, we should try to figure out why she's waking up crying.
Is she hungry? At 6.5 months you should be starting solids. Is she taking a bottle or breast before bed? Is she eating at dinner?

Does she have a cold and is having trouble breathing through her nose? If you've answered these things, and still can't figure out why she is waking up crying, I would take her to see the doctor. He'll be able to do a physical exam and make sure there is nothing else going on.

If those things don't work, feel free to come back here and post again. Or you can always email me directly at heather@the-essential-infant-resource-for-moms.com

Good luck!
Heather

Apr 08, 2009
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Clarification
by: Kim

Hello Heather,

I thank you for your comment on my post and thanks for the sweet compliment on my little monster. :-)

To answer the questions you had posted: Yes, she falls asleep and wakes up crying usually. She gets a 7oz or 8oz bottle before bed every night and she eats solid food and has a bottle in the evening as well so the chances of her being hungry are pretty slim I think.

She's not ill and her nose is never stuffy. At the moment her and I share a room because we live with my parents so I know every time she wakes up and I hear her squirming around all night long. She squirms, wiggles, or moves around a lot at night!

We went to her pediatrician for her 6 month appointment on March 10th and I told him how her sleep habits were and what not and he basically said she needs to have her own room and you need to let her cry a little bit.

That response didn't help me a whole lot but I'm working on her own room thing and we'll see what happens with that. So if she's not hungry, not sick, not stuffed up then is she just a horrible sleeper do you think?? Or is it something more than that??

Apr 08, 2009
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Baby Sleep Cycles are Different
by: Heather ;-)

Hmmm...what a puzzle this is! She is certainly keeping you on your toes!

For one thing, it's not uncommon for babies to move around a lot when they sleep. Adults and babies have the exact opposite sleep cycles.

For adults, we slide into REM sleep (which is light and where we dream), then slide into a deep, dreamless sleep, and then sometimes slide back into a REM sleep as we start to wake up. (so we have only about 25% of our sleeping in REM)

Babies are the opposite. It is not uncommon for their sleep to be over half REM - light, dreaming, moving around, making noises, etc. Babies will immediately fall into a deep sleep, and THEN transition to REM sleep in the middle.

This may explain why your little princess seems fitful. When we go to visit my parents, Elena sleeps in a crib in our bedroom. My sleep is always TERRIBLE, and she doesn't seem to sleep well there either. I've realized over the years, that when I'm in the same room I'm more "in-tuned" to their movements, and so I'll get up more, or sit up or react without thinking when I think she needs me. So Elena wakes up, when otherwise (If I wasn't RIGHT there) she would have
gone back to sleep.

If you can discipline yourself NOT to get up when she starts moving around, she may just go back to sleep. I allow my children to cry themselves back to sleep. I did it the other way for a while and it was AWFUL. If she woke up in the night, guess who had to put her back to sleep? Me! Learning to fall asleep on your own is an important skill. I never let them scream for hours, but 20-30 minutes of whimpering isn't going to hurt.

As for naps, have you considered that she may be a light sleeper? We have noise-makers going in Elena's room in the background, and I keep a dark sheet hanging over the window (not pretty, but functional). That child is SUCH a light sleeper, that we can't even use the upstairs bathroom next to her room! Our nap routine is similar to the bedtime routine. I give Elena a warmed bottle of soymilk (she hates milk - you could give her a bottle - and she's over a year now so milk/soymilk is okay), read a book, then start quieting down. I don't allow Elena to stand up in the crib. If she does, I go in firmly say "nigh-nigh Elena' and lay her back on her back. Of course, this really torks her off, but oh well. Mommy wins. After making her lay down, keeping the room dark, and having some soothing noise going on, she can't resist and falls asleep.

I'm only sharing what I do to be helpful, if it doesn't sound helpful to you, by all means disregard it.

Feel free to write back, it's always good to re-hash these things in my mind - especially since #3 is on it's way!! Yikes! I've got some re-learning to do!

God bless,
Heather

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Apr 08, 2009
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Submitted by: Heather ;-)

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Hmmm...what a puzzle this is! She is certainly keeping you on your toes! For one thing, it's not uncommon for babies to move around a lot when they sleep. Adults and babies have the exact opposite sleep cycles. For adults, we slide into REM sleep (which is light and where we dream), then slide into a deep, dreamless sleep, and then sometimes slide back into a REM sleep as we start to wake up. (so we have only about 25% of our sleeping in REM) Babies are the opposite. It is not uncommon for their sleep to be over half REM - light, dreaming, moving around, making noises, etc. Babies will immediately fall into a deep sleep, and THEN transition to REM sleep in the middle. This may explain why your little princess seems fitful. When we go to visit my parents, Elena sleeps in a crib in our bedroom. My sleep is always TERRIBLE, and she doesn't seem to sleep well there either. I've realized over the years, that when I'm in the same room I'm more "in-tuned" to their movements, and so I'll get up more, or sit up or react without thinking when I think she needs me. So Elena wakes up, when otherwise (If I wasn't RIGHT there) she would have gone back to sleep. If you can discipline yourself NOT to get up when she starts moving around, she may just go back to sleep. I allow my children to cry themselves back to sleep. I did it the other way for a while and it was AWFUL. If she woke up in the night, guess who had to put her back to sleep? Me! Learning to fall asleep on your own is an important skill. I never let them scream for hours, but 20-30 minutes of whimpering isn't going to hurt. As for naps, have you considered that she may be a light sleeper? We have noise-makers going in Elena's room in the background, and I keep a dark sheet hanging over the window (not pretty, but functional). That child is SUCH a light sleeper, that we can't even use the upstairs bathroom next to her room! Our nap routine is similar to the bedtime routine. I give Elena a warmed bottle of soymilk (she hates milk - you could give her a bottle - and she's over a year now so milk/soymilk is okay), read a book, then start quieting down. I don't allow Elena to stand up in the crib. If she does, I go in firmly say "nigh-nigh Elena' and lay her back on her back. Of course, this really torks her off, but oh well. Mommy wins. After making her lay down, keeping the room dark, and having some soothing noise going on, she can't resist and falls asleep. I'm only sharing what I do to be helpful, if it doesn't sound helpful to you, by all means disregard it. Feel free to write back, it's always good to re-hash these things in my mind - especially since #3 is on it's way!! Yikes! I've got some re-learning to do! God bless, Heather

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Apr 08, 2009
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Screaming and Screaming
by: Kim

Wow! Thank you, Heather you have given me some great tips!

Last night I waited out the squirming, moving, kicking, moaning and groaning until she started to cry nd then i got up, put her paci back in her mouth and she fell asleep again after about 5 minutes or so. I think the key is for her to get her own space though because every time I get up with her and try and crawl back in bed she wakes up again! (never ending sleepless night)
So I am definitely working on that.....

I think she is definitely a light sleeper when she wants to be. I know that sounds weird but let me explain a little. There are times when she wakes up if the floor creaks and then there are times when you can be in a crowded loud restaurant and she snoozing away!

My child is definitely an individual that's for sure!So I've tried turning her mobile on in her crib to soothe her when she's screaming after she's woken up at night and that calms her sometimes but doesn't help her sleep unfortunately.

I have tried letting her cry but she screams and screams and screams until her nose is all stuffy and she's sweating from being so upset! So i feel I have no other option but to go in there and pick her up, calm her down and change her diaper and pj's that she's now soaked through.

Is it normal for a baby to get SO upset like that when she was just asleep 5 minutes prior?? Sorry if I am a big pain in the rear but why can't babies come with instruction manuals?? This would be SO much easier!!!!

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Apr 08, 2009
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Submitted by: Kim

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Wow! Thank you, Heather you have given me some great tips! Last night I waited out the squirming, moving, kicking, moaning and groaning until she started to cry nd then i got up, put her paci back in her mouth and she fell asleep again after about 5 minutes or so. I think the key is for her to get her own space though because every time I get up with her and try and crawl back in bed she wakes up again! (never ending sleepless night) So I am definitely working on that..... I think she is definitely a light sleeper when she wants to be. I know that sounds weird but let me explain a little. There are times when she wakes up if the floor creaks and then there are times when you can be in a crowded loud restaurant and she snoozing away! My child is definitely an individual that's for sure!So I've tried turning her mobile on in her crib to soothe her when she's screaming after she's woken up at night and that calms her sometimes but doesn't help her sleep unfortunately. I have tried letting her cry but she screams and screams and screams until her nose is all stuffy and she's sweating from being so upset! So i feel I have no other option but to go in there and pick her up, calm her down and change her diaper and pj's that she's now soaked through. Is it normal for a baby to get SO upset like that when she was just asleep 5 minutes prior?? Sorry if I am a big pain in the rear but why can't babies come with instruction manuals?? This would be SO much easier!!!!

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Apr 08, 2009
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If all else fails...
by: Heather ;-)

LOL! I'm totally with you on the instruction manual thing - why do they have to be so-darn individual?

I understand about the "when she wants to be" light sleeper issue. Lauren was like that.

As for a game plan, I would keep trying the "wait until the last possible moment to pick her up" approach for a while. She may improve after a few days. If she is just SCREAMING, than I would try to calm her down - if at all possible without picking her up. Rub her back, sing a song, hold her finger...see if any of these help her calm down. Keep trying!

If these things are simply NOT working, you could try the co-sleeping option. (Does she just want to be touched and near you?)

I normally do NOT recommend this, since it tends to higher rates of SIDS. However, there are some products out there that attach to the side of your bed, or are like a box in the middle of your bed, so you can't roll over her or smoother her with pillows or blankets. (The high rate of SIDS is usually associated with situations where they are not co-sleeping safely.

Here's an example of a safe co-sleeper.

I'm going to be writing some "sleeping" articles (an obvious section of the site that's missing so far!), so keep me updated and posted. Worse case scenario, if I run out of ideas, I may (with your permission) share your situation with the other mentor moms at EiR and see if they have any thoughts to share.

BTW you are NOT a big pain in the rear. If I thought that, I chose a bad website to work on! Interacting with other moms like me from all over the world is one of the best things about the site!

Keep' em coming! We'll get to the bottom of your "mystery non-sleeper".

much care,

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Apr 08, 2009
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Submitted by: Heather ;-)

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LOL! I'm totally with you on the instruction manual thing - why do they have to be so-darn individual? I understand about the "when she wants to be" light sleeper issue. Lauren was like that. As for a game plan, I would keep trying the "wait until the last possible moment to pick her up" approach for a while. She may improve after a few days. If she is just SCREAMING, than I would try to calm her down - if at all possible without picking her up. Rub her back, sing a song, hold her finger...see if any of these help her calm down. Keep trying! If these things are simply NOT working, you could try the co-sleeping option. (Does she just want to be touched and near you?) I normally do NOT recommend this, since it tends to higher rates of SIDS. However, there are some products out there that attach to the side of your bed, or are like a box in the middle of your bed, so you can't roll over her or smoother her with pillows or blankets. (The high rate of SIDS is usually associated with situations where they are not co-sleeping safely. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000HKY1GM?ie=UTF8&tag=theessinfresf-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000HKY1GM">Here's an example of a safe co-sleeper.</a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=theessinfresf-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B000HKY1GM" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /> I'm going to be writing some "sleeping" articles (an obvious section of the site that's missing so far!), so keep me updated and posted. Worse case scenario, if I run out of ideas, I may (with your permission) share your situation with the other mentor moms at EiR and see if they have any thoughts to share. BTW you are NOT a big pain in the rear. If I thought that, I chose a bad website to work on! Interacting with other moms like me from all over the world is one of the best things about the site! Keep' em coming! We'll get to the bottom of your "mystery non-sleeper". much care,

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Apr 23, 2009
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One helpful suggestion
by: Tim

Hi, I've been enjoying reading this blog, which covers pretty much every angle in dealing with a cranky baby.

One other option is to play a recording I made with three friends. Originally it was done on a lark, just for fun, because the four of us met on a recording session in LA and discovered we had a nice blend. When of of the guys found out his wife was expecting, he thought, "let's record some lullabies!"

Turns out this recording, which we shared with friends and family way back in the days of cassette tapes, WORKED!! We found out that, especially over a period of time, played around the same time each night, almost everyone reported positive, calming results!

My latest amazing experience was just a few weeks ago. I gave this recording to my work colleague Tamar, who recently gave birth to little Marley. Tamar put the songs on her ipod, and using headphones on her belly, played them each night while still pregnant. She would tell me from time to time how amazingly calmer the baby would seem, kicking would stop, etc.

Then, after she was born, Tamar brought Marley in to our workplace so we could all meet her. One of our other colleagues was holding her, and she got a little cranky. I walked up and started singing one of the lullabies from the recording. And I'm not lying when I tell you this: Marley almost instantly stopped fussing, and even smiled a little!

I guess I'm writing to share this story with a larger number of people, and who knows, maybe this will be helpful in solving your crying baby problems.

I am currently offering three free tracks, just for the asking, so people can experiment with it and see if it helps them too. Simply visit our web site, www.AllNightLullabies.com and look near the top of the home page for the instructions on how to get your free tracks.

All the best, and I wish you all more sleep-filled, tranquil nights with great dreams too!

Tim Krol

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Apr 23, 2009
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Submitted by: Tim

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Hi, I've been enjoying reading this blog, which covers pretty much every angle in dealing with a cranky baby. One other option is to play a recording I made with three friends. Originally it was done on a lark, just for fun, because the four of us met on a recording session in LA and discovered we had a nice blend. When of of the guys found out his wife was expecting, he thought, "let's record some lullabies!" Turns out this recording, which we shared with friends and family way back in the days of cassette tapes, WORKED!! We found out that, especially over a period of time, played around the same time each night, almost everyone reported positive, calming results! My latest amazing experience was just a few weeks ago. I gave this recording to my work colleague Tamar, who recently gave birth to little Marley. Tamar put the songs on her ipod, and using headphones on her belly, played them each night while still pregnant. She would tell me from time to time how amazingly calmer the baby would seem, kicking would stop, etc. Then, after she was born, Tamar brought Marley in to our workplace so we could all meet her. One of our other colleagues was holding her, and she got a little cranky. I walked up and started singing one of the lullabies from the recording. And I'm not lying when I tell you this: Marley almost instantly stopped fussing, and even smiled a little! I guess I'm writing to share this story with a larger number of people, and who knows, maybe this will be helpful in solving your crying baby problems. I am currently offering three free tracks, just for the asking, so people can experiment with it and see if it helps them too. Simply visit our web site, www.AllNightLullabies.com and look near the top of the home page for the instructions on how to get your free tracks. All the best, and I wish you all more sleep-filled, tranquil nights with great dreams too! Tim Krol

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