What to do when he wakes, advice please

My 8 mth old goes to sleep well b/w 6 - 7 pm depending on his day, but wakes around 2 - 3am... He slept through the night from 8 wks until 7 mths, when he had gastro. He woke one night once he was feeling better (after 4 days of gastro) and I fed him, he was starving. Normally I would have let him cry it out, yes I am a cc because I don't do no sleep well.... However, I am now looking for different ideas as it breaks my heart to hear him cry and he is waking our 20 mth old... He was never a good day sleeper and I am I guess concerned that I have made him anxious by letting him cry it out. He seems to go from happy to hysterical in an instant. We both had a bad start to our relationship and I guess now I really want to do whatever I can to put things right bw us... Cant believe im saying this about an 8 mth old, but writing this I realise this is actually how I feel. Sorry it's so long winded :wall: I am at a loss but feel like I failed him. My daughter was a premmie and such a different baby to him. Any advice would be greatly appreciated :)

I'm a big fan of a cuddle and whatever verbal cues you normally use to indicate it's time for bed. So for me that's lots of "shhhhh... sleepy time now".

But I know other people are fans of patting and stroking.

Hope you find something that works!

Maybe just try patting or stroking & shushing him. Then if he doesn't settle, pick him up. That way he might start settling without being picked up.
You could try giving him a drink of water tto if you think it would help.

WBSB, you haven't failed him at all! I have seen how you are with him and it is obvious you love him and he loves you!!

I agree with the ladies above. Patting, stroking and shushing should help as he knows you are there but gives him the opportunity to settle. Maybe set up a bed in his room so you can sleep in there once he wakes up and he can see/hear you breathing. That might help send him off to sleep as well.

Good luck