Disturbed sleep of 1 yr old !

Hi Radhika. I know how exhausting it can get when babies keep waking up at night! Since what age has your son been waking up 4-5 times? Did he, at any stage, start sleeping through the night, that is, up to 4 or 5 am? Has most of his teeth come through? The first set of molars usually come through around the first birthday. If that is the case, then his waking up and unhappiness could be linked to teething. Have you introduced regular milk to him as yet? Another reason for him to wake up maybe comfort nursing. He may not be hungry but would want your help to go back to sleep. You could ask your husband or some one else in the family attend to him when he wakes up. They can try to put him back to sleep without you having to go near him. This might make him upset, but being consistent is the key here. Have you tried giving him milk in a sippy cup? My son never took the bottle too. He is almost 10 months now and I have started to wean him off breastfeeding. I give him formula in a sippy cup and he drinks it. I have been trying this since he was 6 months old, but he finally took it at 9 months.

To keep your energy levels up, I can suggest having a heavy breakfast. It really helped me. I could not cope with two kids and the housework. You can also keep dry fruits handy and eat a handful whenever you feel tired. They give a real energy boost. Other than trying to eat more nutritious foods, I would suggest, take rest whenever you can. If there is someone to look after the kids for even an hour or when the kids are asleep, you can try and take a nap or something which relaxes you. Take care :)

He has this disturbed sleep since he was born. His lower two teeth have shown up until now. I too think it could be coz of his teeth eruption. Night time there is none to comfort him and help me. Even if he wakes due to hunger my milk doesn't suffice him and he is not ready to touch the bottle milk in his sleep.

Thanks for the advice for a heavy breakfast and dry fruits & also the sipper advice. I think all would of great help. I just hope he himself starts sleeping through the night. :(

Hey Radhika. If your son sleeps on the same bed with you, you can nurse him laying down. That way, you will get some sleep and he will fall asleep once done with feeding. I am not sure if he is waking up with hunger or for comfort. Breast milk is known to adjust to the requirements of the baby with age. So if we feel that our baby is not getting enough milk, it is normally not the case. I had posted a talk a few weeks back on how my son was nursing only for 5 mins. Now he nurses for about 2 mins and only from one side and i think it is sufficient as he looks happy and full after each feed. You can try to teach your baby to fall asleep on his own by establishing a bed time routine and following it consistently. For example, you can give him a warm bath,change him and feed him, but put him to bed when he is still awake. Rub his tummy, pat him for a few minutes and leave the room. You can check on him every 5 mins and each time continue rubbing his tummy or patting him, whatever he likes. It may take a while, but he will learn to fall asleep on his own. There are a few books in the review section on sleep habits for children. If possible, try and get a copy to find a routine suitable for both your baby and you. Hang in there Radhika, it will pass :)

Hi Radhika, try giving a good warm oil massage to your child before sleeping. Once you have given the child a good massage wipe off the excess oil with a tissue paper and apply bedtime baby talc, this might help!!

Thanks Alka. Would surely try. As I have another 4 yr old daughter Im rushing between both kids :))

Dear Radhika , my heart goes out to you but try the following ... at one year a child is going through developments changes in all areas be it physical , emotional or mental. What you are describing , it seems both you and your baby need help. Indulge me , if you may ... 1. Take your child to the pediatrician and get a full evaluation to rule out any ailment that might be worrying him. 2. Even if your child is not taking to the bottle , its ok... at age 1 he should be eating the starting foods for a baby ( there is a whole blog with recipes on the site , you could refer to that - Initial foods for babies). 3. do not worry if he is not taking the bottle milk, there are a lot of calcium rich foods that you can give to a baby that will substitute for the lack of milk. 4. Be firm with your baby and do not indulge him in the middle of the night ( It is very important that you get your rest too) 5. Make sure that your baby is not sleeping empty stomach or only half full ( then the will definitely get up in the middle of the night) 6. I know with another child who is 4 year old you are strapped for time and energy both but ask for help( neighbor / family / husband/ hired help/ day care for some hours so you can catch a break)... Only if you are at your 100% can you be there for your children a hundred %.... 6. Lastly , make your sons evenings packed with activity ( preferably physical activity ) , physical activity combined with solid food is bound to work... Do let us know if things work out for you... In the end , keep the faith .... the best part of a growing child is that nothing lasts for long and this too shall pass.

Hi Radhika, if your sons sleeps with you in your bed, that is asking for trouble. Babies can smell the milk and hence keep getting up for a feed even if they are not hungry. it is natural. if possible (it may not be) put your child in another room for the night after he has had his full feed. Be with him till he falls asleep and then leave. I would not encourage you to nurse your child in bed as suggested by Anurima, there have been cases where the child has been smothered by the mother, who fell asleep while feeding the baby. Especially, if you are tired. if you do choose to nurse the baby, make sure some one can check on you once in a while or is with you while feeding. The sooner you can get your son into another room the sooner you will be able to sleep....