I battle to get him to sleep through

Q: I follow all your advice in Baby Sense and Sleep Sense about sleep and routine very closely. My 5 1/2 month old son goes to sleep around 6.30pm after a bath and bottle. He wakes two or three times almost every night between 12 am and 2 am, and then again for a feed around 4am. I realize the need for a feed at 4am is age-appropriate, but battle to get him to sleep through without waking until then. I have tried leaving him to fall back to sleep on his own with no luck. Most nights, I wait a minute or two then go to him, re-wrap him, turn him, give him a dummy and gently pat him. He mostly falls asleep quite quickly. There are also quite a few times where he seems to be uncomfortable (tummy pain) and cries, so I then give him Infant Buscopan. Can you advise me what to do, as after nearly 6 months without a ‘full night’s sleep’, I am becoming desperate!!

Kind regards,

Philippa

A: Dear Phillipa,

Thanks for your email.  It sounds like your little one is hungry, and is probably looking for a feed at the first wakeup call at midnight. I would suggest that you commence him on the solid food plan as laid out in chapter 3 - 6 months in Baby Sense.  Giving him the dummy is most likely giving him a false sense of his hunger being alleviated, but not for long, which accounts for his consistent restless behaviour.  If you suspect that he is having tummy cramps, then rather use a natural, organic magnesium supplement to settle his cramps (Floradix Magnesium, 2ml at bedtime).  I hope you are attending our Netcare Baby Sense Seminars in Cape Town on the 20 September - you will be able to get nutrition and sleeping tips!

Best of luck, Best wishes, Ann Richardson