Help, my 5 mo. old wakes constantly

[Melna]

I am a first time mom and my 5 and a half month old for the past couple of weeks now is waking up at night sometimes every hour or even more often! My husband and I have tried everything! We put him to bed while he is still awake, but drowsy and he is able to fall asleep but usually wakes up within an hour or two and on most nights that routine continues. We can comfort him fairly easily by giving him his pacifier or soothing blanket (he only eats once at night usually anywhere from 2:30 to 4) but it is exhausting getting up more than 6 or 7 times a night. Could he be teething already? If so is there anything we can do to help him? We have tried letting him cry for 6 or 7 minutes, but that usually just gets him more upset and then it's harder to comfort him and get him back to sleep. Any suggestions would be much appreciated.

[Littleape]

Is it possible that he is gassy? My twins did the same thing and I couldn't figure it out at first but then after a couple nights, I thought about it and figured it wouldn't hurt to give gas drops and see if it helped them sleep better (at that point we were all miserable and willing to try almost anything). Sure enough they slept great after I gave them the drops. I started giving them some gas drops at night after supper and they slept normal after that. I did this for a couple weeks (I would try a night without them and sure enough, they got me up constantly that night). After a couple weeks, I stopped giving the drops every night and they did fine. As for the teething, my girls didn't that early but my neice and nephew both got their first tooth at 4 months old so yes they can get teeth that early. Hope this helps, trust me I know how bad those nights can be!!!

[ldinsmore]

My 6 month old wakes all the time as well, when you mentioned being gassy that rang a bell. After his last feeding he "toots" alot. Can you tell me what type of gas drops you used?

[Melna]

Thanks for the advice about the gas drops. Last night we actually did give him Mylicon before bed, but we also gave him Tylenol for the teething. Anyway he slept all night except for getting up at 3:20 for his feeding! I am so happy and hoping that we will get another good night tonight. I think we will try using the gas drops and not Tylenol since I don't feel comfortable giving him Tylenol unless I know he really needs it. We'll see what happens. Thanks again!

[Littleape]

I actually use the generic (Walmart) version of the Mylicon. It is a LOT cheaper and with twins and being a SAHM, money is very tight. Have used Mylicon when they were out of generic but it worked just as good.

And you are very welcome, Melna. I am happy to have helped. Like I said, I have been there and I would not wish those nights on my worst enemy. Good luck and let us know how he does!

[reck76]

I am a first time mom myself and my daughter (now 10 months old) did the same thing. We eventually found out that is was in fact her teeth that were coming in. She was about 5 months and 2 weeks when her bottom teeth broke through. Since January she has been up between 3 and 8 times a night because of her teeth. Some babies just can't handle teething as well as others. Only this past week her sleep has improved (only waking once a night). I too was continuously exhausted. The only thing that worked for her was alternating tylenol and motrin while using baby orajel. Her pediatrican said that this was okay. Good Luck an hang in there.

[Melna]

We actually do use the Target brand of Mylicon. I too have found that anything we can substitute with a generic without sacrificing quality, taste, etc. we do! : )

I am happy to report that my son has slept well the past 3 nights. Last night he only woke up a little after 2 for his feeding and then not again until 6:30! It has made a world of difference giving him the gas drops before bed.

Thanks again for all of the thoughts and advice. Even if he wasn't sleeping better, it's always nice to know you're not alone in what you're going through.