Night wakings: the reasons why baby wakes up at night!
● Discomfort: pajamas that are too small or too big, a spinning romper, a stuck foot or too high a body temperature, a full diaper, your baby can get uncomfortable quickly.
● Colic: your baby has abdominal pain, signs of a still immature digestive system, cries a lot, squirms constantly, has a hard stomach and gas...it is surely colic (it fades from 4 to 5 months). Massage, cuddling, carrying, dry hot water bottle, patience, will help him to calm down.
● Reflux: the famous GERD(gastroesophageal reflux disease) that makes babies suffer and prevents them from sleeping. Choose an inclined surface to slide under the mattress, a bottle with an anti-colic valve, position your baby in a semi-sitting position to drink, have him burp and keep him upright for 30 minutes before sleeping, have him drink the bottle/feed in several times, avoid pajamas that are too tight...and consult if it makes him suffer! Reflux can be associated with cow's milk intolerance which will also prevent baby from sleeping and make him very grumpy.
● Teething: this is one of the first pains experienced by the child, so it is normal that it disrupts his nights. Gum massage, homeopathy, refrigerated teething ringparacetamol in the event of crises will help baby to pass these stages gently.
● Sleep regressions: these are usually a sign of psychomotor or cognitive development. This is a good thing even though it can be destabilizing! 4 months, 7/9 months, 12 months, 18 months, 2/3 years are all deadlines to keep in a corner of your head. They last 15 days maximum.
● Separation anxiety: it is part of the sleep regressions and usually invites itself around 7/9 months. Baby does not leave you anymore and cries as soon as you leave a room. Love and patience will overcome this separation anxiety.
● Habit and the need for comfort: baby sometimes wakes up out of habit to get back to his sleep pattern. Gradually reduce the amount of milk and see if baby goes back to sleep easily without grumbling. If he cries, it means he seems to be hungry!
● Light under the door can disturb baby's sleep.
● Naps that are too long or not spread out evenly throughout the day. If baby is sleeping too late, move the last nap back an hour or cut it out and put baby to bed earlier!