7 Month Old Screaming at Bedtime

Updated on December 01, 2010
S.F. asks from Hawthorne, NY
9 answers

Help! My 7 month old has been falling asleep on her own since she was 2 months. For the past week or so she has a fit when I lay her in her crib. She will take her binky, turn her head and close her eyes. A few seconds later she starts screaming. I go back, give her the binky, sometimes she'll take it, sometimes she just continues to yell. I do not engage her, I don't make eye contact. It has gotten to the point where I will hold her for a bit, then lay her back down. I say "night night" and go through the process til she screams again. She won't fall asleep in my arms, which is a habit I don't want to get into anyway. But she will smile and laugh or get cuddly as soon as I take her out. She has no symptoms of teething. I have no doubt that is not the problem. I am a stay at home Mom, she gets a lot of attention, and has now started to fuss if I walk by and will fuss until I pick her up. My oldest daughter was/is a terrible sleeper, and I don't want to start any bad habits with this one. Do I need to let her cry? Is there another way? Any ideas moms? I need help!! TIA!

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H.L.

answers from New York on

I really think it sounds like teething she doesn't have to have any other sympotoms to be teething it bothers her more at night. Something is waking her up. Try giving her tylenol one night before she goes to bed and if she doesn't cry then you know she's in pain of some kind whether it be teething or an ear infection like mine had and was waking up more. Between 6 and 9 months they get their teeth in so it has to be teething. It could also be she needs to settle down for the night and some babies need to let off a little stern before they go to bed. Good luck! I have a six month old girl too I know how it is.

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P.M.

answers from Portland on

She's at the age where she recognizes what she likes and doesn't like, and is beginning natural experiments in cause and effect. She's engaging more with the world around her, and becoming more curious and interested. And she is probably working on some major motor skills now, sitting, scooting or crawling, pulling herself up, experimenting with making deliberate sounds. All of this is extremely stimulating to most babies, and they have a much harder time sleeping.

She is also at a common age for separation anxiety. You leave, and she's not certain you still exist. As odd as it seems, she won't know for awhile yet that you'll be there for her every day, even though you always have been. But now that she's beginning to get it that you are separate from her, and she may feel actual fear when you leave her alone. Putting babies in a separate room in the dark is actually a fairly recent development in human history.

So, she's noticing that she doesn't like being left alone in her room. She may be having trouble falling asleep. She does like Mommy's attention. She notices that screaming gets you to pick her up. Can you introduce a new bedtime tradition, like sitting by her crib and singing or telling her soothing stories in the dark? Patting her back or rubbing her head? I'm guessing she needs something different than what is happening.

Every child is unique when it comes to sleep patterns, and what works for one may have no connection at all to what works for another. But connection with parents is an absolute and legitimate need for babies.

1 mom found this helpful
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N.D.

answers from New York on

7 month old babies are very aware and can understand what is said to them. They also learn to manipulate their parents. She cries, you pick her up, she laughs and cuddles. Who is spoiled? MOM!!! Cuddle her before you put her down the first time, Tell her its night night time and lay her down, pat her back and say night night again. Then leave. Wait 5 minutes and go back in her room, tell her firmly night night and to stop fussing. Then say mommy is going night night too. Then leave. Since you have been picking her up she will scream until you come back in or until she is exhausted.
During the day do not pick her up when she fusses, but try to make a point of picking her up when she isnt fussing. Teach her positive actions. If she is giggling pick her up etc. And talk to her, she understands.

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E.C.

answers from New York on

She is just growing up - it's normal. 20 minutes at a time - let her cry, pat her back - don't pick her up to comfort. She'll figure it out.

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E.Z.

answers from New York on

This may be silly, but maybe she is just a little chilly? My 8 month old kept waking up last week in the middle of the night for no reason and only stopped when I brought him into bed. Then I was like "duh" , it has gotten colder so much quicker at night and I simply added one more layer of clothes to his bedtime and he stopped. Now he is nice and cuddly!
We also use a sound machine, it's a life saver.

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K.P.

answers from Seattle on

My son was like this too, was very frustrating too. They dont understand the okay go to sleep thing fully yet, they are still babies. I would suggest going over your sleep routine and seeing if any changes need to be made.
Maybe putting her to sleep earlier might be better. She is becoming more and more active, that all she wants to do is play, and in doing so becomes over tired sooner.
This is what happend with me. So I started doing my love's routine sooner.
I feed him solid food, then bathe him, feed him a bottle, then its bed time.
I just adjusted it until I realized he needed to go to bed sooner. People think that the later they put the baby to bed the later they will sleep but it really isnt so. Putting them to bed earlier actually makes them sleep longer, and better because they need more sleep then us.

I also bought the "No cry sleep soloution" book and it had alot of great, relatable tips in there and ever since I started to do all this my son sleeps great, only wakes maybe once or twice a night.

Good luck!

S.P.

answers from Los Angeles on

For the past week or so . . . .
did you start any new food about a week ago?
Have her poops changed?
She may be having some tummy upsets or lower down discomfort.
I wonder if her daytime nap(s) need to be adjusted.
Presuming you want her to sleep better at night, I mean.

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R.Y.

answers from New York on

It is worth trying tylenol in case it is teething. They can be teething a while before you can see or feel the teeth. It won't hurt to let her cry a short time (2 to 5 minutes) so you can see if she settles down on her own. My son at that age cried for under a minute most nights and then settled down. You can try coming in, making sure she is settled has the paci, etc. and saying goodnight. You can try soft music or white noise in the room. If you struggled a lot with the sleep issue already, check out some baby sleep books from the library or a bookstore.

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A.D.

answers from New York on

Dear S.. My first guess would have been teething but I also remember my children going through a time of fears. Fearful when they could not see me. I see no reason not to cuddle her, she is your baby. I have 5 and I rocked, cuddled, sang to them etc and they did not get spoiled, they just knew I love them. This stage will pass. Grandma Mary

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