Help us get some sleep!

[Aimee1991]

my 13 month olds sleep has become terrible. It’s absolutely destroying me!

It started mid-July after a 2 week viral illness and every single night since he wakes about 11pm and then every 20-30-40 mins after that. Often I get up at 1pm with him as he gets to the point of screaming the house down. :’(

I’ve tried everything!! What an I missing??

[RachelModerator Moderator]

Hi Aimee1991

Sorry you and little one are experiencing this. It sounds really tough.

Can you tell me some of the things you have tried so far and what little one does if you do get up and go down, does he then sleep?

What about day time naps?

Thanks Rachel

[Aimee1991 in reply to RachelModerator]

hello, I’m sure you won’t see this now as I haven’t been on here for weeks,

I do the same nighttime routine, I’ve stopped milk and just offer water during the night. Doesn’t make any difference.

Give a banana before bed.

He usually has a nap about 8:30/9am (as he wakes at 6/6:30) - usually an hour. Then has a nap between 12-1pm for an hour or two…

I’m just at a loss, this is baby number 3. He came out of nowhere and I’ve tried it all 😢😢😢 absolutely exhausted

[Abbeville in reply to Aimee1991]

You must be so exhausted Aimee.

It sounds as if you are doing all the right things and it’s so much more difficult when you have older children too…there’s no time to catch up on rest.

I’m sure Rachel will get back to you next week but in the meantime perhaps give Just One Number a call this morning (I think they’re open until 1pm on a Saturday) 0300 300 0123

One of the health visitors or assistant practitioners will be able to talk things through with you and see if there’s a small change that might help.

Good luck!

[Aimee1991 in reply to Abbeville]

hi, thank you. I’ve just seen your response.

I have called the just one number helpline a few weeks back and they suggested night terrors as he would get to the point of screaming and crying but I don’t think it’s that’s.

I’ve now even moved him into a bed, although he doesn’t scream now he still wakes between 5/8 times an hour and that’s being honest… no exaggeration at all. 😩😩

I now don’t get up with him, I just comfort him, offer water/bum change and then he resettles for 5/10/20 mins max and he’s awake again - whinging for water/comfort etc….

Any advice is soooo appreciated

[Abbeville]

That’s so difficult! You’ve done brilliantly to help him to feel calmer with less screaming. It sounds as if he’s struggling to get into a deeper sleep cycle since it was disrupted by his virus in the summer.

Has anything changed for him during the day? Have you returned to work or have to leave him with someone else, for example? I wonder if he’s just needing you to be there because he’s missed you during the day?

You are definitely doing everything right by staying with him and giving him reassurance that you’re nearby but without too much interaction. You have made progress and it will get better but it is a slow process, isn’t it!

Maybe have another chat with your health visitor? I think there’s an online clinic on a Tuesday morning?

[Aimee1991 in reply to Abbeville]

thank you. I’ll attend that!

[RachelModerator Moderator]

Hi Aimee1991 ,

It still sounds like things are really tricky.

If you spoke to us a few weeks ago, and nothing has improved or you need to chat it through some more, please call us back on 0300 300 0123

Thanks Rachel