Baby fussing from 4am every night

[Willow82]

So we had finally turned the corner with our 16 week old DD. For the first 12 weeks of her life, she wouldn't sleep independently until 3am onwards. Then she started to sleep in her Moses basket after the 10pm feed and would sleep until around 7. This was amazing, all she would need was for me to replace her dummy every now and then. In the last week or so she's now started to properly fuss from 4am onwards. She's half asleep as her eyes are closed but she writhes around, her dummy falls out and she then cries. I put her dummy back in and repeat until she is fully awake about 6ish with no more sleep for me! I thought that she might be hungry so I gave her some milk one night but it didn't make any difference other than trigger a reflux episode at 6am.

Last night, I picked her up and cuddled her and she stopped! She was fast asleep without her dummy in about 2 minutes. I waited for 20 mins and then put her down but half an hour later, she started doing it again and then woke for the day.

Any other babies do this? I really don't want to have to wake up for the day at 4am. I know I could bring her into bed with me and co-sleep but I'm too scared to do this.

 

[Willow01]

This is happening to me too at the moment (baby is 5 months thought) so total sympathy for you it is knackering isn't it. Sounds like both of us are suffering the 4 month sleep regression
https://www.babysleepsite.com/baby-sleep-patterns/4-month-sleep-regression/

At the moment I am bringing my baby into bed but I am not happy doing this. I did notice this evening though her tummy was rumbling when she was sleeping so I might offer a dream feed as advised in the link to see if that helps. If you find anything that works let me know Good luckx

 

[ElmaWG]

Hey willow, my 4 mo does this too. Not all nights, but most. Usually starts about a hour after his 2nd feed of the night.

I have a couple theories. One is that It is digestive discomfort, since he usually poops around this time. Maybe not even discomfort, but it's just keeping him from settling. I've also though he might be uncomfortable being swaddled and struggling against it. We will be dropping the swaddle in the next few weeks on any case.

 

[MumToEva]

Both my kids were like that. First time round I was determined not to co-sleep, but with DS I decided just to bring him into bed with me and co-sleep once he started fussing, because with a toddler to look after too I couldn't have a nap during the day the same. I worried that he'd get spoiled and only want to sleep in our bed, but no, he just continues to come in to our bed at 4ish for a while, then gradually outgrew it. I think being more relaxed about it also made him more i inclined to relax and go back to sleep. And I discovered I actually really enjoyed co-sleeping for a few hours a night (though not all night)!

 

[Button#]

Sounds like the reflux may be bothering her at that time. Mine's gone through phases of this and she gets through it. I would suggest safe co-sleeping from 4am as well. You'll get more rest at least if you're not getting up every few minutes

 

[nulla0502]

I feel your pain...can i join this club? I had a good couple of weeks with my 3 month old and she would even sleep through. She outgrew her moses basket and I've just moved her into her cot and it's sent us back to square one with the erratic sleeping. Hoping in a few days she will settle into her new bed and we can get a little bit of a routine.