New Here, sleep question, sorry so long...

I'm new with this forum thing and don't live anywhere near Long Island (actually live in ST. Louis). BUT, I was looking for answers on the web the other day and came across this forum which I have found all EXTREMELY helpful. I have a quick question.

My 6 mo DS Devin has been sleeping like an angel, at least 8pm-6am, bottle, then back to bed until at least 8am. BUT, lately he has been waking up at about 3:30 crying and not soothing himself back to sleep, which he can normally do. He acts hungry. So, I have been giving him a bottle at that time to calm him back to sleep.. Is that okay? Ped says he shouldn't need that bottle anymore.... HELP!

Also, I guess he could be teething right? He has two bottom teeth, those cut 2 weeks ago. Would teething wake him like that? And would that cause him to pull on his ears? We have been at the Peds office 3 times in 2 weeks to check his ears and they are all clear.... Any advise you guys can provide me I would really appreciate!!!

TIA! I really need the help since I am a walking zombia again and thought we were sooooooooooooo past this.....

Re: New Here, sleep question, sorry so long...

First, welcome. Teething could definately cause your DS to wake in the middle of the night in pain. I believe around that time my DD started doing the same thing. I gave her the bottle for a few nights, but it was really watered down, almost so she didn't really like the taste, so it put something in her belly (and not as much as you would for a full feeding), it let her suck a bit, and she fell back to sleep. When I thought she was just getting used to waking at night for a bottle again, I cut in half the amount I was giving her and then she eventually phased it out completely. Pulling on the ears is definately a sign of teething.

Re: New Here, sleep question, sorry so long...

Thank you so much for your response. Makes me feel so much better just knowing that this happened to other precious babies, and not just my DS. I will try to water down his bottle some for that 3:30 feeding, but I'm going to pray that stops soon....THX!

Re: New Here, sleep question, sorry so long...

Welcome!

My DS is doing the same thing, except after his bottle, he's crying and refusing to go back to sleep in his crib. I'm going to start giving water bottle for his middle of the night feeding, but I'm really struggling with him not going back to sleep after his bottle...

Good luck!

Re: New Here, sleep question, sorry so long...

First of all...Welcome

Second...my DS did the same thing when he was teething. I would just give him the bottle (an oz or two). I knew he didn't need it because he was hungry, but he needed it to sooth and get back to sleep.

My opinion is that as long as you don't mind getting up and giving him the bottle, then I don't see anything wrong with it. My DS just stopped waking up one night and that was it. When DS is comfortable going back on his own, he'll stop getting up.

Good luck

Re: New Here, sleep question, sorry so long...

Thank you all so much! Again, just hearing that Devin is not the ONLY baby that has gone through this "phase" helps a lot. Another question though... How long did the night waking last roughly? It has been going on 2 weeks now. TIA!

Re: New Here, sleep question, sorry so long...

Mine is still going, so I can't tell you!!

My DS never really slept through the night though, he just had many nights when he would only wake for pacifier and not need bottle until 6 a.m. Now, he's been wanting bottle again AND not going to sleep after it.

Re: New Here, sleep question, sorry so long...

DS has been tossing and turning after I give him the bottle and whimpering, but does eventually settle down after the bottle. BUT, after an hour of that and then having to get up at 5am to go to work, it's wearing me out. Feels like it's never going to end..... At least I'm not alone....