My 6 Month Old Son Will NOT Sleep

sounds like his ears or belly is bothering him. Did he just start a new food? Does he have a stuffy nose?

Have you tried upping his food intake? I know this often helps out when they're growing and are in need of more nutrition. If that doesn't work you could always try keeping routines the same all of the time so he knows what to expect from one moment to the next. Keep the room he is in dark and comfortable for him temperature wise and keep his belly full and diaper changed so hopefully he doesn't have a reason to wake.

Six months is a really common time for him to be experiencing a growth spurt. You didn't say if you breastfeed or formula feed, but I wouldn't recommend "sleep training" or "crying it out" at this age....well I don't recommend them at all, but that's another story....since he might be hungry.

He could be teething. He could be getting a cold. He could be growing. He could be doing a million different things to make him adjust HIS schedule.

If you are breastfeeding, you might want to consider co-sleeping. You will get more sleep if you are in bed nursing rather than getting up and going to him. I don't know where he sleeps either, so you may already be doing that.

My 9 month old went through a crazy week right around 6 months where he was up at 3:30 in the morning and then went to bed around 5am. I was already a coffee cup into the morning by then and couldn't sleep. But, he went back to sleeping until 4:45 which was more palatable and now sleeps til 5:30. They change schedules a million times as they grow and develop.

If you are formula feeding, can you husband/partner help with a night feeding or trade off with the 4am wake time? I don't believe in crying it out, but crying in the arms of a loved one isn't the same. If it will give you some sleep every couple of days than so be it.

Consider a baby carrier for naps. There are times when my son sleeps well and times when he doesn't. I have a toddler as well, so sometimes my 9 month old goes in the baby carrier and sleeps for 2 hours while I busy myself with the toddler or get things done while the toddler is sleeping. That won't help with your sleep situation, but it may save you some stress. Even carrying my son and doing things, but getting some peace and quiet helps.

How about if you put him down in your bed and slept with him for naps? My kids both sleep longer if I am with them.

I know the "I have to get things done" feeling. I have a million things to do and run around like a crazy person, but once in a while you have to let yourself just rest...even if it's for 20 minutes. Put up your feet, watch tv, get on the computer, look at a magazine, take a long shower.

And remember, this too shall pass....it really will Hang in!

I agree with both the others about food and teething. Have you started giving him food yet? If not, it's probably time. At this age they really start becoming aware of their surroundings and the fact that you are just in the other room. Previously you just appeared and disappeared, but now he starts to understand you can be with him, you just aren't,and that's hard! ;) I am a believer in cry it out, many are not, but I think it works and it teaches them to self soothe and understand "rules"...I mean sort of, obviously they're only 6 months, but it starts to set boundaries. Maybe talk to your pediatrician and see what course they recommend and how they suggest to go about getting him to stay asleep in his own room, but there are some books people really love about sleep...I'm sure you'll get lots of good suggestions! Hang in there, you do need sleep so I hope you get some soon!

His naps are not long enough during the day. It is adding to insomnia at night.

Has his sleeping habits changed since getting vaccines? Is he on iron supplements? Both can contribute to this problem.

Magnesium citrate (babycalm) might be helpful- it stops an overproduction of adrenaline and calms the nervous system, it is said to induce sleepiness.

You should also take magensium citrate or malate-500mg day, to help your stress. Your sleeplessness is creating a magnesium deficiency very easily. Very important to take magnesium if he is breastfed.

The best baby on the block is a great book about getting you baby to sleep. I am on my 4th baby and my experience is it's all about scheduling! Structure is the best thing that worked for me didn't learn this till baby #2. First of all at 6 months is he teething? If so generic infant motrin hour before bed. Also did you start him on solids? He could be hungry I would give an extra ceral and fruit 1/2 hour before bed. O.k. back to structure Think wake time, nap time, bed time and breakfast, lunch, dinner and a snack or two in between. It's a big part training them! Instead of him training you. Also helped me....I put a cd player in their room played on low all night. That would drown out noise in the house. Also for naps it helped me if they would nap later 1ish and then put them to bed by 7:30. I would wake them around 8. Hope this helps! I know where your at my oldest I had to rock until he was 18 months!!!! I'll say a prayer that you get some rest!

He is overtired, so he can't self-sooth at all. You need to teach him how to self-sooth. Give him a transitional object, and just comfort him (hold him, sing to him) in his room and keep trying to put him down in his crib.

There is also a wonder week you are right upon. Whatever yo do, don't leave his room! You will create new habits you don't want.

Sounds like your son might be "High Need".
My son certainly was so I feel your frustration (and exhaustion!).

Honestly, I would REALLY suggest that you try co-sleeping. Even part-time (ie: put him to bed in his bed if you want to & then when he wakes up, bring him into your bed). This is what we've done with our son & I can't tell you how much happier & better-rested we all are!

www.AskDrSears.com is a fantastic site & Dr. Sears' books "Attachment Parenting", "Night time Parenting" and "The Fussy Baby Book" would probably be extremely helpful to you!

Hang in there!

I agree with all the posts you've received up to now about teething, schedules, and being sure to make him comfortable before putting him down to sleep.

I'll add that you sound tired and anxious, as would be expected. Your baby feels this, doesn't understand it, and becomes anxious himself and needs reassurance that everything really is OK. His life depends totally on you and when he senses something is wrong he becomes stressed. When you stay with him, trying to soothe him while you are tired and anxious to get him to sleep he will fight sleep.

I suggest that letting him cry for 10 minutes or so could be more successful that trying too hard. You might also try accepting that this is the way it will be for awhile and go with the flow.

I babysat a baby 6 or so months old until midnight or so when his parents worked the night shift. They encouraged him to sleep in the daytime because that is when they were sleeping. I was in school and needed to get some sleep. I discovered that I could cat nap while lying on the bed and firmly holding onto his ankle. He would crawl around and I didn't get real sleep but I did feel more rested than when I sat up with him.

I'd work on getting a schedule going and deciding what form of sleep training you want to use and get started with it. You'll feel less anxious when you have a plan. I'm somewhere in the middle about crying it out. I think a baby has to be given a chance to learn how to soothe himself but not left crying long enough that he becomes desperate. Supernanny has a way that includes putting him down, making sure his diaper is dry etc after having a bed time routine. Leave and let baby fuss or cry for 5 or so minutes. If baby is still crying go back in and pat him on the back, soothe until quiet again and leave. Increase the length of time you're out of the room each time.

I suggest that if he's just fussing stay out longer than 5 or so minutes. Fussing is a way of self soothing. When he cries and you help him to soothe to the point of quietly fussing and stay until the fussing stops you're teaching him one method of self soothing.

Along with this try a night light, soft music, a crib toy attached to the rail that he can push to turn on a light with floating fish and music, a special blanket or soft toy.

Above all, remember this too shall pass. Your son will only be this age once and your housework will be there forever.

I recommend reading "Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child" You might not feel like you have time to read, but it's worth it to make some time, so that you can all get more sleep soon!