How to Stop Night Waking

by Mary Ann Romans | More from this Blogger

09 Apr 2009 05:58 AM

Getting your baby to sleep and stay asleep is probably one of the biggest challenges of parenthood. Sure we have all heard the glory stories of babies that sleep through the night the moment they come home from the hospital, but for most of us that just isn't the case.

The first step you might take is to try to eliminate as many of the physical reasons for night waking as possible. This may depend on the age of your baby, since some night waking may be inevitable in tiny babies.

Teething

Teething pain can wake a baby and keep her awake. And while you might not see any teeth spouting just yet, pain from teething can occur as early as three months of age, as the teeth get ready to make their appearance. It can last all the way through the two-year molars, although teething pain is generally on and off instead of constant through that time.

Some signs that you baby may be teething include a wet sheet where the baby's head lays, lots of drooling (and the chin and cheeks rash that generally accompanies it, swollen gums that are tender to the touch, and a low grade fever.

To sooth teething pain, you can ask your baby's doctor if you may give some infant tylenol to your baby as part of the nighttime routine.

Clothing irritation

Some babies are very sensitive about what they wear to sleep. Itchy sleepers can cause a baby to night wake. There could be many causes of irritating sleep wear, from cheap synthetic fabrics to allergies to detergents and fabric softener.

Some signs that your baby may be irritated by his or her sleep wear are a skin rash or a lot of restless body activity.

To remove clothing irritation, try switching to all-cotton sleepers and using a detergent that is free of perfumes and dyes, such as All Free and Clear (Dreft, while popular, does contain perfumes and dyes).

There are other physical reasons for night waking. Check back again.

Mary Ann Romans writes about everything related to saving money in the Frugal Blog, creating a home in the Home Blog, caring for little ones in the Baby Blog and now relationships in the Marriage Blog. You can read more of her articles by clicking here or subscribe to the blog using the subscription box on the right.

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Learn more about Mary Ann Romans

Mary Ann Romans is a freelance writer and mother of three children. She lives in Pennsylvania with her husband, the kids and a 16-pound cat.

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ruthann8 (6378) 09 Apr 2009 08:03 AM

Ellamae had an awful night last night! It is a whole combination of things....I think. We just had a long un-planned emotional weekend at my moms & she refused to sleep in the pack n' play and was very restless. She is getting her 2 year old molars & her poor cheeks are soooooo red & sore. Well last night she refused to sleep in her crib & I was sick. I really needed to be sleeping next to the toilet but Ellamae would not leave my side no matter how tired she was. I am interested in your future blogs regarding how to fix this! I do not agree with the cry it out method in babies but I think Ellamae is getting old enough to cry a little. But she screams at the top of her lungs soooo hard she gags herself. Crying herself to sleep does not happen.

Mary Ann Romans (26791) 09 Apr 2009 04:03 PM

Aw, I am so sorry you had such a rough night! If I lived closer I would bring you over a prepared dinner at least. Try the infant tylenol tonight if your pediatrician approves.

nancy_jones (145) 13 Apr 2009 01:39 PM

Babies sometimes wake up at night for breastfeeding. Though the habit should be discontinued by night weaning...

nancy_jones (145) 13 Apr 2009 01:41 PM

After making your baby sleep, always put him back to the cradle, crib. Or, if the baby sleeps with you, you should move away. This will lessen the habit of [URL="http://http://askblogster.com/breast-milk/"]breastfeeding[/URL].

nancy_jones (145) 13 Apr 2009 01:49 PM

Babies usually associate with mother.