4 month old waking from sleep crying and crying? Nightmares?

[Kristin27]

My four month old DD has been waking crying and crying. It doesn't happen during her day naps, only after 7pm bedtime. She wakes every 1/2 an hour to hour suddenly crying really hard. It goes on until her next feed at about 10.30pm (which used to be a dream feed but now she's awake anyway).

I've tried feeding her, bonjella in case she's teething, patting and reading her a book and she goes back to sleep but will still wake again soon after.

PS. She still doesn't sleep through the night, feeding at about 4am, but has started waking crying at 1am-ish, dummy and a pat and she goes back to sleep.

I'm not expecting anyone to have the answers, but does anyone have experience with this? Do babies have nightmares at this early age? I don't think it's wind or reflux either. TIA.

[satya]

I had no idea about this but I got curious & searched the net & found that babies dream from birth. Nightmares are most common in 3 to 5 year olds but your bub could still be having them even at this young age so perhaps that is the problem.

[~Trish~]

My guess is it's a 4 month thing. It is VERY common for 4 month old's sleeping patterns to change (for the worse!). I learnt this after my DS2 started waking frequently o'night and was really hard to settle when he turned 4 months. I have since read heaps of threads on BB started by mums posting the same questions and all their bubs are 4 months at the time of posting!

The good news is that it does pass, it must be a major developmental age. Hang in there, I hope it passes quickly for you .

[Kristin27]

Hmm yes it appears that 4 months is a tough time, I spoke to the ladies my mothers group today and they're also having sleep issues so at least I'm not alone! I'll just follow DD's lead, thanks!