I Don't Think It'll Ever Stop!

My daughter is 13 months and just (within the last three weeks) began sleeping through the night regularly. My pediatrician told me to go in and reassure her that I was there but DON'T take her out of the crib unless I have to change her diaper. That helped a little. She still woke up but it was once a night or twice a night instead of every two-three hours. (We tried the letting her cry thing--she screamed for over three hours on the first night, and two and a half hours the next. I was done after that. I couldn't do it.) One thing that has helped her is a white noise machine. I got it at Bed, Bath, and Beyond for about $10. That seems to drown out the other noises in the house and outside and she sleeps much better when it is on. As far as the bottles, I had to reduce those slowly--like take one ounce out every other night until she didn't need it anymore. That takes time but I think it is easier on the baby than just cutting him off completely. Believe me, I know how frustrating it is to NEVER get a decent night's sleep! Good luck!

It could be a change of climate. FL is so much more humid then VA, that might have something to do with it. Also, if there is tension because of the situation your in having to stay in one room, he might sense that too. I don't think it's because he's hungry, so feeding him at night is probably not the answer. He probably cries when you take the bottle away because sucking is comforting to infants. Have you tried a pacifier? It will provide the comfort without giving him all that extra formula. Also, he is 6 mo. now, have you tried baby food yet? If you haven't just remember to be patient thru that process because it takes time for them to get used to it and to find the foods that they like.

Its a new environment for him so there is going to be an adjustment period. I am not a big advocate of family beds, but try putting him in the bed with you at night and see if that helps him (if it's something you can do), he just might need that extra level of comfort and soothing to feel that everything is ok...the only thing with that is you might have to break the habit later on, but either way you are going to have to make a sacrifice..sleep now and break the habit later or no sleep now and not even having to deal with the habit.

To me it really sounds more like he needs extra reassurance because of the new environment, but it could be a food thing too. Don't forget to call your doctor too.

I found that sleeping in the same room with my son, who is one year old, makes for a really long night. I spend alot of time at my in-laws because of work schedule. When we stay there we all sleep in the same room. We had to move the baby in another room so that we could sleep as well as he could sleep. I dread now when we go away and have to sleep in the same room as the baby, because I know that I will be waking up in the middle of the night. I hope that my experience will help you in some sort of way. Thanks.

I know there are many people that won't agree with what I am about to say, but I am sure there are many that do & have actually done it. My sons doctor suggested to let him cry it out & it worked. After a few nights his body will know that it's not feeding time. He is 6 months which means that by this age he should be able to go without feedings throughout the night. I am sure it will be pretty hard for you especially since you are sharing a room, but if you and your family can grin and bare it, it just might be the best thing you could have ever done! good luck! : )

I sympathize with you. I can imagine how frustrating a crying baby can be. I do have a question. When you feed him at night do you put any cereal in his bottle? Maybe the straight milk is not enough. I know when my children were about six months, I had to put mix a little baby cereal in to fill them up. Three bottles in one night is an awful lot of milk.