My daughter is 16mths old. Since about 6 months old she wakes at least 10 times a night screaming. And I mean screaming! Inconsolable crying that takes me roughly 30mins each time to calm her down. She screams in her cot, screams in my arms like she's trying to push me away but when I try to put her down she keeps screaming. I just can't figure out what it is that's making her completely hysterical. She has a dummy but won't take it in this mood only once she calms down. I feel like I've tried everything in the book to calm her/ try to figure out the problem. It's like she's in pain or having nightmares or something? She's just so distraught. She still does this even if she's had Panadol or nurfen which makes me think it can't be pain but I just don't know. She visits the chiro and he said she's fine. Dr says she's fine also. I'm honestly so exhausted! I havnt had a full night sleep since she was born. We have tried a nightlight, music, dummy, ough love, soft love., we do a 30min wind down every night with bath and book etc and she goes to sleep easily but then roughly an hour later it starts and doesn't end until roughly 6am. Nothing works. Does anyone have any ideas on what the problem might be or any other settling ideas?
13 Replies
I would see if you can get into another doctor or even a couple to get a second/ third opinion. Even if she is fine health wise the Dr is there to help you and give you advice. Mummy needs some sleep. Go with your Mum instinct. Even a sleep study might help. Good luck IM x
Go to another doc, and try Zantac :)
I dunno if she is too young but could it be night terrors? If it is the touching her could make it worse. Talk to your gp, pead or even a sleep school. A sleep school may be good so she can be monitored over night and they may be able to pick up something that you cant. Good Luck xx
Could it be something she is eating? I have heard people with similar issues changed diet. Check out fed up they have a website as even some fruit & veg can cause intolerances & change behaviour in children. Worth looking at. Good luck
I've had a similar ride with my lil one, so am sending sleep your way!
I would suggest that if nothing helps her settle but time that she is having night terrors. This is the type of thing you'll need to see a paediatrician for. Try to get video footage of a few hours worth to take and show him!
Also consider diet, first try removing gluten for a month. If no change reintroduce it. Then do the same with dairy. If no change try removing ALL processed foods. You need to wait the full month as the body needs to rid itself and have time to repair the damaged digestive system.
Also this might seem crazy but does it still happen when you cosleep with her?
Best of luck its so hard being sleep deprived!
Try safe co-sleeping. She may well just need to be near you.
Could it be reflux? My youngest son didn't start getting reflux until 6 months old, and he went from a wonderful sleeper to one that woke up every 45 minutes. Can you get a second opinion from another doctor or a referral to a pediatrician?
Maybe try elevating her cot by putting some phone books under the legs at the top end? or maybe a pillow under the mattress? You can get infant's gaviscon at the chemist, might pay to give it a try.
I would see another doctor to rule out that she isn't in pain and ask about allergies . Is it just the night time sleep or day time sleep too ? If it's night time only look at what your feeding her before bed ? Could be upsetting her . Try change her bedroom around or even a porta cot in your room . Is it roughly the same time every night ? If it is then it could be habit and you will have to break the cycle . When she wakes up try approach it differently . Maybe your hand on her back and shhh her .. Try give her a drink of water , not milk . You could try leave her for a little while and see if she settles , wouldn't leave her for long . Look at night terrors too . Good luck
I feel for you. Sounds exactly like silent reflux. My two boys had it. They would wake excessively with a cry that you know they're in pain. I went to sleep school with one and it was amazing how many other mums were there with reflux babies. Medication, losec, or Zantac, special prescription formulas, elimination diets are all part of the often very tricky way to treat this. I would absolutely have your bub reviewed by a paediatrician, and keep going until you get answers. They are worse at night because they're lying flat and the regurg wakes them in pain. Reflux infant support group, RISA is great, google it and see if you think it sounds like your little one. All the best. I have lived your sleeplessness for 3 years, you can survive it mumma. Go with your gut and keep going until you get there xxxx
Overly hot = night terrors. I don't think this would present as an on-going problem like yours so not sure, but worth a mention.
Also check out the sue dengate fail safe diet on FB, some of those mothers have described very similar things.
P.S the fail safe diet is the same as the 'fed up' diet.
My son did this up till about 18 months and I feel for you I was so sleep deprived and felt as I just had one of those kids that will just never sleep. I spent about a week not going in at night I sent my husband if it was too hard and it was the hardest thing I ever did at the time. All I wanted to do was cuddle my boy, I think I ways crying in my bed but it worked. It got less every night and then just stopped and now he is a great 11-12 hour sleeper at 2. It sounds crazy but my boy was a bit clingy and I think he just wanted me every time he woke slightly but a little bit of independence is the key
Good luck and I'm sure it will get better
My son did this up till about 18 months and I feel for you I was so sleep deprived and felt as I just had one of those kids that will just never sleep. I spent about a week not going in at night I sent my husband if it was too hard and it was the hardest thing I ever did at the time. All I wanted to do was cuddle my boy, I think I ways crying in my bed but it worked. It got less every night and then just stopped and now he is a great 11-12 hour sleeper at 2. It sounds crazy but my boy was a bit clingy and I think he just wanted me every time he woke slightly but a little bit of independence is the key
Good luck and I'm sure it will get better