Motn parties.. Why do they happen? When will it end?

[MiniKiwi]

So LO wakes up in the middle of the night for 1-3 hours just to hang out and play. It's been happening on and off since she was 8 months old, practically every night. I just want to know why it's happening and when it ended for you?

We have some nights these days that she almost sttn just waking breifly a couple of times and I don't have to pick her up to get her back to sleep. I try to recreate those days and nights, same nap times, same activity levels during the day, same bedtime and then we have 6 wakings and a motn party, she's so inconsistent.

She's walked to sleep (I know this isn't ideal but we've slipped back into doing it for convenience really) and has 1 or 2 naps a day, she's an early waker regardless of what time she goes to bed.

Ugh I just want it to end and my OH is pressuring more and more for sleep training but I can't do it, he's sick of the walking her to sleep and constant wakings and motn parties but I can't do it all by myself, it's just too exhausting.

What do I do, bnb?

 

[danijoanne]

I wish i knew sophia is doing the same. I hope someone has advice as im on my knees with exhaustion as her sleep has always been shit but its getting worse and worse.

 

[Tinynik]

My DD was like that from about 7 months! Think it lasted about 6-8 weeks! She had a cold, then an ear infection, then cut her first tooth then learned to crawl. I think it was a spiral of events really. I was having to take her for 40 mile drives at 230 in the morning! It will get better, trust me! Iused to sit with her and sob cos i was that exhausted. But there is light at the end of the tunnel xxx

 

[Shadowy Lady]

hmmmm, I wish I knew! Sofia went through two MOTN periods: first one around 5.5 month and it lasted 10 days and then again around 6.5 months but this time it lasted only a week. Thankfully though she's been sttn consistently since then.

I hear that the MOTN's are mostly developmental but I don't think they happen for every major development milestones as my LO has stopped doing them now. So in your case i would recommend sleep training, BUT I would have your OH do most of the work. It often works best if men do it as moms just can't hear their babies cry. I honestly feel once you eliminate the sleep association your LO has (walking to sleep), she would sleep better and you will also be more rested.

 

[Noelle610]

It does sound like it's become a habit for her.

I'd begin keeping a log of when she sleeps and wakes - night and naps, down to the minute - for a week. Then I'd post it here to see if we can find anything. Sometimes it's easy to miss the obvious when you're in the thick of it.

If a schedule change doesn't help, I'd have to say that I agree with your OH that some more serious sleep training is in order. Of course you have to be comfortable with it or it won't work for your family. But I think it would help everyone get some more quality rest.

 

[MiniKiwi]

Thanks for the replies.

Dani, how old is your LO?

I always cut my LO a break and assume it's developmental or teething or some such but it's been going on too long now. She did just cut her first molar though which explains a lot of her fussiness lately. Ugh! I hate teething.

Noelle, I'll keep that log.. It seems like such a lot of work when I barely remember my own name in the middle of the night but I'll do that and see if there's some kind of pattern going on.

I'm not anti sleep training like I used to be but I just can't bare to do it to my LO! It's very hot here and I couldn't leave her to cry and sweat and I just don't want to anyway. I feel like it would benefit me, not her, which to me means that it's not the right thing to do. She's in bed for the night now at 6:30 pm.. Fingers crossed for a decent night

 

[Noelle610]

Noelle, I'll keep that log.. It seems like such a lot of work when I barely remember my own name in the middle of the night but I'll do that and see if there's some kind of pattern going on.

I'm not anti sleep training like I used to be but I just can't bare to do it to my LO! It's very hot here and I couldn't leave her to cry and sweat and I just don't want to anyway. I feel like it would benefit me, not her, which to me means that it's not the right thing to do. She's in bed for the night now at 6:30 pm.. Fingers crossed for a decent night

I think there's an app you can download on your phone, which would probably make it easier. Bananaz, are you around? I think she used something similar

The heat could very well be affecting her sleep! What are the conditions of her room like? Maybe a fan or even a small air conditioner would really help.

If you do want to sleep train, I don't believe it would only benefit you - I think your LO would be happier with my quality sleep as well. That said, it's really your call and we're here to support you whichever path you choose! xo

 

[kettle28]

Baby log is a great app, just press start and stop for sleep, and you can email the data for easy posting x

 

[MiniKiwi]

Thank you, I'll get baby log right now!

Noelle, unfortunately she sleeps in a loft/mezzanine floor area so it's warm and there's no door! So all the noise from downstairs bothers her and we also live next door to a church and the bells go off every hour until 10pm! Gah! But I can't put her anywhere else. I actually got a fan for her today so hopefully that'll help

 

[Noelle610]

Thank you, I'll get baby log right now!

Noelle, unfortunately she sleeps in a loft/mezzanine floor area so it's warm and there's no door! So all the noise from downstairs bothers her and we also live next door to a church and the bells go off every hour until 10pm! Gah! But I can't put her anywhere else. I actually got a fan for her today so hopefully that'll help

That certainly doesn't sound ideal! I feel for you, because my daughter's room is the hottest in the house. The fan should help with the temperature AND the nosie!

 

[MiniKiwi]

That other stupid sleep thread reminded me to update this one. I really want to thank you, Noelle and Shadowy lady, for your advice. I got a fan for Mia's room and did some sleep training where I just lay next to her cot while she went to sleep. She did yell for 10 mins max for a couple of nights and has sttn ever since. She does wake up but puts herself back to sleep in less than a minute. She has much better daytime sleep as well and has even started falling asleep in the pram too!

I'm SO happy about it! We're both so happy

 

[Noelle610]

Yay MiniKiwi! Thrilled for you honey

 

[Shadowy Lady]

That's awesome to hear, so happy for you mama