Hi friends,

Quick question as to how you dealt with infants that were sleeping through the night and now they've all stopped. All three were sleeping from 8 pm until 6 or 7 am but now one is up at midnight, the others later so I'm now feeding all night long. They aren't napping great during the day and I'm needing advice as to what I'm doing wrong. I feel like a Zombie and my patience is shorter than I'd like to admit because I'm so tired. Now that they're seven months old (four adjusted) I had forgotten how tired I was in the beginning but at least in the beginning we didn't have such a busy day with activity gym and swing and tummy time and jumperoos, etc.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. They are all sleeping in one room because we have a two bedroom house (just some info you might need

TIA,
Nicole

Nicole, Mom of Julia, Griffin and Braddock born at 28 weeks, 4 days
www.thedimasitrifecta.blogspot.com

Does it seem like they are going through a growth spurt? If so, I would try increasing their bottles and/or solids. Are they on a schedule or routine? That always made the biggest difference to my boys because they know what to expect throughout the day. If I thought it was hunger, I would feed them a few ounces to tide them over at night; if I thought they just wanted up to play and see momma, then I would let them CIO. Other thought, are they possibly teething?

My beautiful boys born on 6/8/2008:
Rowan 2 lbs 10 oz
Elliott 2 lbs 7 oz
Finn 2 lbs 5 oz

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Unless they are going through a growth spurt, stop feeding when they wake up at night. They have been sleeping through the night. They don't need to eat just because they woke up. They need to learn how to self-soothe back to sleep. Until they learn that, you are either going to need to soothe them back to sleep or let them CIO.

Also, it is very common for these things to go in cycles. Night waking seems to be a problem in babies who have been sleeping through the night every few months. Often, it comes when the child has learned a new skill, like rolling over or pulling to standing. They could also be teething. In that case, Motrin before bed can help.

Lori

http://yesidohavemyhandsfull.blogspot.com/

I had this problem with mine around 6 months. We increased their nighttime bottle and also added a little rice cereal. The cereal really didn't work b/c it just made them full faster. Anyway, two of them quickly outgrew it but the third was a tough one! I tried to let him cry it out but he wouldn't stop until I gave him a bottler. So, I continued to give him a bottle when he woke up but kept reducing the amount until we were down to 1 oz. Then, I let him cry it out again and this lasted for only 2 nights. The first night he lasted 10 minutes, the second night was about 4 and the third night he slept through. I know you only have 2 bedrooms but what about moving a pack and play into the family room for a few nights?

Good luck!

Oh, I feel your pain. I would recommend trying CIO and more solids during the day. Like the pp's said, mine also have started waking up since they learned to crawl. I will find them crawling around their crib or trying to pull up on the crib in the middle of the night. If I ignore them they go back to sleep eventually. Motrin also is a miracle worker if they are teething.

About a month ago, two of mine started waking up at 5 AM. I gave in and gave them a bottle a few times since they went right back to sleep. I regret giving in b/c it started to become a habit. I had to do CIO all over again. We also move one to a pack n' play in another room if they cause too much of a ruckus.

I feel like it will be years before I have night after night of peaceful sleep. It seems there is always something...teething, getting stuck in the crib rails, excitement, adjusting to new schedule, etc. The fun!

Good luck!

Karla

6/29/08
Amelia - 2 lbs. 12 oz
Marcus - 4 lbs. 11 oz
Jocelyn - 3 lbs. 15 oz.

born at 32 weeks 6 days
http://mybabydrama.com/

Thanks, ladies. I wish I had posted sooner because now I feel silly for having fed them -- it's been going on a couple weeks. Last night Julia woke up at 11:30 and we gave her a binky and let her go back to sleep. she woke again at one acting like she was starving. So I gave her a couple ounces. She didn't really finish the bottle and I left her to play and soothe herself and she eventually did. at 3 am Braddock woke up acting like if he didn't eat, he'd go insane. I gave him an ounce and then let him CIO which didn't last long. My man Griffin always sleeps through the night - bless his heart. I will wean Julia and Braddock and hopefully stop this insanity. I did set up a pack 'n play out in my loft but oddly they don't seem to wake each other yet so last night I didn't use it. But it is ready.

Another question .... I have children's tylenol but not motrin. Should I have motrin? I feel so clueless sometimes.

I'll keep you posted.

Also, about feeding solids, we have just started with rice cereal. They were 28 weeks 4 days so adjusted they are just about four months. They defintely are ahead of that according to the books so I thought it was okay to start and they seem interested. They lick at it and it gets everywhere but they smile a ton and open their mouths when the spoon heads towards them. We don't see the pedi for another three weeks and I didn't want to wait until then. When did you all start?

I can't tell you how much I appreciate your responses and your blogs!

Nicole, Mom of Julia, Griffin and Braddock born at 28 weeks, 4 days
www.thedimasitrifecta.blogspot.com

Well my trio were born at 28w 5d so almost identical to yours; we started spoon feedings around 6.5-7 months actual. Started with rice cereal but quickly moved to oatmeal which they like much better. Since then they have eaten a huge variety of food (we do homemade baby food) and the only thing that has caused any problems was carrots; it upsets their tummies. Other than that smooth sailing and it has really helped my trio pick up some much needed weight.

My beautiful boys born on 6/8/2008:
Rowan 2 lbs 10 oz
Elliott 2 lbs 7 oz
Finn 2 lbs 5 oz

" width="400" height="80" border="0" alt="Lilypie Second Birthday tickers" /></a>

wow, you're weights are almost identical to ours, too!! Braddock was 2 lbs 11, Julia 2 lb 8 and Griffin 2 lbs 4 oz. So pretty much everything you're doing, we'll be doing two months later. How exciting to know someone just like me. I'm glad to know we're on track. We'll be seven months actual tomorrow. I'm going to get the oatmeal because I've read they like it much better. You're the second person this week that has told me carrots were a problem. My friend's daughter is actually allergic. good to know. We're going to do homemade food as well. I'd love to hear more about how you do it. I'm going to pick up some baby oatmeal next time I get out to a store. Thanks for all your help.

Nicole, Mom of Julia, Griffin and Braddock born at 28 weeks, 4 days
www.thedimasitrifecta.blogspot.com

Wow, you are right, they are super close! And I agree, it's always nice to find babies that are similar to yours. The homemade baby food has been super simple and so much cheaper; and the problem was my boys liked the carrots, but the carrots didn't like them back if you KWIM...a few days of cleaning up messy, carrotty, cloth diapers was enough for me! What is your trio's weight right now?

My beautiful boys born on 6/8/2008:
Rowan 2 lbs 10 oz
Elliott 2 lbs 7 oz
Finn 2 lbs 5 oz

" width="400" height="80" border="0" alt="Lilypie Second Birthday tickers" /></a>

I'm so impressed that you do cloth diapers, too. I wanted to and EVERYONE made me feel like I was insane. We switched to oatmeal last night and they LOVED it compared to the rice. They are still just learning to eat but what a difference with the oatmeal. Do you freeze your food in ice cube trays?

Nicole, Mom of Julia, Griffin and Braddock born at 28 weeks, 4 days
www.thedimasitrifecta.blogspot.com

Yay for oatmeal; my boys just finished a huge bowl of oatmeal and appleasuc If I make a huge batch, I use ice cube trays but often times I make just enough to get us through a few days and then I don't have to bother with freezing. What are you planning on trying as their first food besides cereal? It's a perfect time of year because so many wonderful things are coming into season. And as a tip, I always ask my grocery stores when they mark their produce down so I can buy it up real cheap. They mark it down because it's getting soft and that makes it perfect for baby food; plus it save money! The current faves for my boys are nectarines and sweet potatoes.

And about the cloth diapers, it is so easy; there are a handful of us triplet moms who do it. And just to say, it is never to late to swap; sad to say but it will still be a while before any of ours are potty trained so you would have plenty of time to make your money back. If you are ever interested or have any questions, just let me know.

My beautiful boys born on 6/8/2008:
Rowan 2 lbs 10 oz
Elliott 2 lbs 7 oz
Finn 2 lbs 5 oz

" width="400" height="80" border="0" alt="Lilypie Second Birthday tickers" /></a>