9 month old sleeping nightmares!

[thepixie]

We have had a shocking month or so with sleep.... first she cut four teeth, then she had an awful cold. She seemed to be getting better, and I thought great now we can start to get some sleep.... and it just seems to be getting worse! She screams when I lie her down in her cot, awake or asleep. the only way I can get her in her cot is if she is in a deep deep sleep and I put her in very gently. She seems really wakeful in the evenings and doesn't fall asleep easily after a night wake up. The last two nights I have had to put her to sleep in the pram because she wouldn't go to sleep any other way. And last night she stayed in there because when I tried to put her in the cot she woke up and I had to start all over again
Tonight I fed her for half an hour, she was really tired so she fell asleep. I let her lay on my lap for 5 minutes and then when I went to put her in the cot she started screaming. I have been stalking other people's sleep threads, and they are like just ignore the whinging cry .... but there is no whinging she just screams as soon put her in.
btw, I tried putting her in during the day today and it was fine... as long as she was standing up!
I don't know what to do ..... it just seems to be getting worse and worse!

[thepixie]

[Matryoshka]

Has she been extra clingy? both my boys were like this around 8-9 months, i think its developmental, they start to realise you leave the room etc, and therefore worse sleep, more grizzly. DS2 has always been a great sleeper, but with DS1 we would have to bring him in to our bed just to get him to sleep. You could try Brauer "calm" homeopathics for babies, you give it 4 doses every half hour before bed time. It did help with DS1. *hugs* i'm sure its just a stage which will pass soon.

[thepixie]

Yeah she has been clingy but that was worse a few weeks ago.... hopefully that is all it is.... they say developmental milestones can cause sleep problems too and she is nearly walking so maybe that is it... but it's just been one thing after another the last couple of months! she used to be such a good sleeper! Do you remember how long that stage went on for? I might try the Brauer calm too. Thanks Tan.

[Matryoshka]

Um i can't remember with DS1, he was a bit later, and a late walker and a more highly strung baby too. With DS2 he is 10 months now and been clingy for about 3 weeks, sleeping okay but grizzly if he misses 1 of the 2 day sleeps. I'm sure its developmental, as he madly crawls after me if i walk out of the room, just becoming spacially aware. Also he's not far off walking, can stand by himself and runs along with a pusher! so its probably a combo of both. I find once they master something new i slap my forehead and go "oh so thats why he's been so difficult"! i hope she gets some solid night sleeps for you asap x

[satya]

Do you put her in the cot, close the door & walk out? Thats what I do if he's grumpy & it usually works. He may cry for a minute or so but not for long usually. If he does keep going I go in to the room and if he's standing up I take him out of the cot, back in to the lounge for 2-5 mins with the lights low & then take him back in to the cot again. It almost always works. If he's lying down I tuck him in & say good night again & walk out. I do much the same if he wakes in the middle of the night (except for the 3am wake up which is always for a bottle).

[*PinkLilly*]

I'm going to side with Tan on this one. From what you are saying I think it is developmental, and perhaps a little bit of seperation anxiety (it's supposed to peak around this time apparently). Unfortunately I don't have any magic solutions for you, but perhaps you could leave a piece of clothing in her cot, one that you have worn (so it smells like you) and might help with some anxiety on a basic level.

Did Beth go through similar sleep disturbances at other developmental milestones (crawling, rolling etc)?

I'm not sure how you feel about leaving her to cry it out a little, so I'm not going to go there. But I know that when DD was waking several times a night at about 4/5 months (and when I say several times a night I mean over 8!!! I never got more than 2 hours of unbroken sleep) it got to the point when I couldn't handle it any longer and let her cry. You will know what is right for you and your DD...

Wishing you lots of luck. I know how frustrating it can be.

[thepixie]

Thanks for the replies guys .... things have been a little better but it's still a bit patchy!
It seems to be a developmental thing.... the cot refusal just disappeared after about a week as if it had never happened! In the meantime I had just improvised and usually let her sleep in the pram.
Satya

Do you put her in the cot, close the door & walk out?

No I don't do that.... she gets apoplectic! But occasionally lately I have been able to resettle her just by standing next to the cot saying shh mummy's here.... but only after she was over the cot refusal thing.
Pink, things seem to be settling down a bit, we are down to 1-2 wakings a night and usually settling relatively easily... fingers crossed things keep getting better.

[Arimeh]

Pixie chick - I think its catching, and now Miss M has got it. Last night was the worst night ever here. Me sooooo tired....

[thepixie]

I just read someone else with a 10 month old has posted a thread on the same thing! It only took about a week for her to get over it if that is any consolation. babe, hope it passes for you... We are still not out of the woods but things are a bit better.

[*Beema*]

Glad to hear things are improving Pixie, the sunlight in finally starting to appear

We are still going through very sporadic sleeping patterns here, last night was the best in a few weeks (thinking back to two nights in a row of good sleeping - should never have posted a Woo Hoo about it !). She went through to 6am for a feed, then slept in our bed until we got up with only a stir at about 11pm, with a quick resettle.

Last night she actually ate a reasonable amount for dinner, it was a slow process (offering finger food then some yogurt afterwards), she actually ate more than 2-3 tiny spoons of food! So I don't know if that was a coincidence or not

Mel, I hope you get a good nights sleep tonight

[MrsFabuloso]

Must be a 9 month old thing, we have been having worse sleep in this house too, due to my 9mth old. Sorry no advice, I haven't slept well for about 2wks now (actually it's more like 26mths, but that's a whole other thread!)