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195648 tn?1231812118

7 month old WON'T STAY ASLEEP

Hi.  I know this might sound crazy and I'm not overly concerned, I just thought I would throw this out there to see if anyone ever had any experience with this.
My DD is 7 mnths old.  She is very advanced for her age.  She is constantly trying to fgure things out.  She is a happy, loving and wonderufl little girl.  However, LOL, she refuses to stay asleep.
I co-sleep with her because I have been exclusively breastfeeding, and I know this is a problem, as it's time tomove her into her own space but barring that here is what's happening.
She is into everything.  If there is anything onthe bed and I mean ANYTHING she is into it.. pillows, blankets, the remotem my hair, my ear, my nose, my arm, the lights, the wind, the wall... it's like she cannot slow hermind down.
She has a regular schedule and I adhere to it every night, minus special occassion, and she goes to sleep just fine but inevitably after 2 hours at the most, she is WIDE AWAKE.
Am I dealing with a hyper active child already or just a child who can't stop thinking and who wnts to stay awake so as not to miss a thing?
Again, I'm not freaking about this as I find it endearing BUT it's maddening at times!!
She almost needs a padded room with nothing in it to go to sleep.  I think I am going to start removing her feet before she goes to bed because they stimulate her too much.
LOL
Thanks ladies!
14 Responses
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189897 tn?1441126518
COMMUNITY LEADER
    Good idea by adgal.  Also curious - so he wakes up your daughter, will it take her a long time to get back to sleep?
Helpful - 0
377493 tn?1356502149
I have had this exact same issue with my son since he was very small (he is now 2 1/2).  I cannot tell you how many moms I have met going through exactly the same thing.  We are making improvements for sure, but it's still a problem in our house.  I wish I had properly addressed it at under a year, it is harder to address as they get older.

So usually the issue is that they have not yet learned to self soothe. So, they wake up in the night (as every one of us does) but instead of going back to sleep they cry and fuss.  Try the book "Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Baby".  It gives a lot of different options.  Just a bit of advice..whatever method you choose, be consistent.  I wasn't, and am still dealing with this problem now.  Typically, choosing your methodology and being consistent with it for a few nights will go a long way in helping the problem.  Best of luck to you!
Helpful - 0
535822 tn?1443976780
What is his daytime routine is he stimulated enough, how long does he sleep during the day , is he waking for anything, do you feed him when he wakes ?
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
i have exactly the same problem with my son he is 8 months old and goes to sleep fine but staying asleep is a problem and i cant really let him cry it out because he will wake my 22 month old daughter........im really at a loss at what to do
Helpful - 0
195648 tn?1231812118
I think it's time.  She only nurses maybe 3 times a day and once at night so I don't need her to be in bed with me to get extra sleep.
If she were in her crib she owuld be able to occupy herself and play until she fell back asleep.
She has plenty of crib toys too.  I think she's just so used to me being there that sheknows when she wakes up I'm  readily accessible.
I won't let her cry it out though.  I know it might have worked for some peole but I will not do it.  I've read too much about how it negatively impacts the child and I also am not emotionally capable of listening to that.  Sometimes I wish I were but I know I'm not.
Thanks ladies.....
I think we've bonded quite enough in these past 7 months that I'm ready to sleep like a semi-normal person!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Also if she is getting up she has you right there to give her attention. Mabye if she was in her own bed she would go back to sleep on her own after waking up.  
As far as nursing, she shouldnt be nursing that much at that age where you need her in bed with you.
I think nesting is a really cool concept and I am all for it. Alot of cultures do it and I think it's great.
But American parents and families are different. You have to decide what you want more. Sleep or the nesting/bonding thing.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Sure, hopefully it wont go into the toddler years.I have a friend who still has to get up with her 3 yr old a couple times a night, no thank you not for me.  
My son was pretty colicky and didnt sleep alot during those first 5 to 6 months of birth, once I got him in the routine of going to sleep on his own (which unfortunatley meant letting him cry it out) he did really well. Slept thru the night
Alot of it could be because she is in bed with you.
Helpful - 0
195648 tn?1231812118
Surprisingly she has no issues with going to sleep, just staying asleep.  She takes 2 naps  during the day, both anywhere from 1 1/2 hours to 3 hours.  She goes to bed religiously at 7 - 8 each night with the same exact routine each night.  
I've tried everything, truly I have.  I thik she can't stop her mind from going.
It must be so exciting to learn new things and she must want to go over them all the time.
Someday I'm sure I'll look back and be thankful....
hahahah
Helpful - 0
114870 tn?1210298346
I agree with many others.  Sleeping was my big issue when I had my son.  I needed my sleep and so did he otherwise everyone would be very unhappy.  Your lil girl is very much ready for her own crib.  Maybe you should include one of those crib toys where she can explore it and eventualy fall asleep.  She should learn how to soothe herself and fall asleep on her own and you will see that she will stay asleep plus Mommy will not be there anylonger to play with and stay up with.  Try it and maybe for the first few days she will cry like many other babies but I used the ferber method which is basicaly letting them cry it out in intervals.  Works like a charm my son who is now a little over 2 has been falling asleep on his own since he was 5 months old.  No rocking or singing or staying in rooms.  None of that.  Anyway try the crib that may solve all the problems.  Good Luck
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Could be lack of naps and overstimulation.
Children at that age should still be taking 2 naps during the day and go down early at night.Keeping her up later or skipping naps will only make it worse.
A child can be very bright (sounds like she is), but they still need sleep. Sleep is very important for growth and development.
Good book to read "Healthy Sleep Habits Happy Baby"
Helpful - 0
195648 tn?1231812118
I agree it's time.  She's still nursing but not nearly as much because she's on solids.  This goes on even at nap time so it's not only at night.  
I am praying the crib is the answer.  I haven't slept in a year!!  
Helpful - 0
154929 tn?1196187738
Maybe it is time for her to go in her own room--that way as long as she is in her crib she can play with the toys you put in there and you can get a goods night rest without worry.  If she is not nursing at night any longer I would say go for that option.  She will then learn to self sooth herself back to sleep.
Helpful - 0
195648 tn?1231812118
WOW!!
Yeah I spoke to her doctor abot it and he said shemight be a little on the gifted side.
i try 2 hours before bedtime to keep the lights low, and keep things calm.  Going to sleep isn't an issue, staying asleep is.
She's NUTS!
LOL
Thanks!!
Helpful - 0
159063 tn?1247272817
well let me tell you what. My DD who is now 9 was always awake.. into everything, she started talking when she was 10 months old, speaking in sentences when she was 12 months, at 5 years old they wanted her to skip kindergarten  and start 1st grade they felt she exelled way above the average 5 year old. I didnt do because socially she was still 5 not 6. anyway... at 9 she is the only child in the 3rd grade who scored 100 percent on the state math test. she is smart, loving and albeit sometimes mouthy.. I worried too when my lil one was so active and prayed to god I hope she doesnt have ADD> anyway.. she doesnt, try less stimulating activity I really stimulated my DD with books, talking, barney. etc... Im glad I did, but had to back off at night a little because of her sleep habits. I remember one night, i took her to the living room.. I turned on the vacuum hoping to help her fall asleep. LOL i woke up 2 hours later to the vacuum running and there she was in her seat smiling away sucking on her toes.. lol good luck maybe you have a gifted child and just dont realize it yet.
Helpful - 0
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