7 month old still wakes every hour

Hi Zombie Mama,
I had the same problem earlier and I thought that the mistake is with me. So I asked advice from my mom and my mom agave me some tips to make her fall asleep sooner and deeper.I'll share them with you.
If you are placing her in a crib, make sure that the crib is empty. Take off all the toys and blankets. Always place your hands in her stomach gently while napping her. she'll feel secured and may get good sleep. Just concentrate on what she wears. Natural fiber like cotton may comfort her and it prevents irritation while sleeping.
Keep the area cool. Kids feel the same like us while sleeping. Make a cool atmosphere for them for a better sleep. Make sure that the room is dark. Close the curtains and make the room dark while she sleeps and open the curtains and make the room bright when she awakes. So that she may understand the difference on when to sleep and when to awake. Try to create a routine time to sleep. It is really a good habit and she may automatically sleep at that time. sometimes hugs and kisses may help them sleep longer and deeper too.
Hope this may help you out.

Advice from my doula on dummy usage: "Tongue thrust reflex will make her spit out any dummy. The trick is to put it in, the fiddle with it as if you are trying to pull it out. You want to get her sucking reflex to kick in. It will take a few days to get it right. Choose the dummy you like best and keep at it." Sounds like you could use a break! My baby boy also struggled with reflux so we have him sleep on a wedge - one of those that has padding on the sides to keep him in place. Maybe that will help?

The paed also prescribed the dummy. He said ducking the dummy stimulates saline production, which in turn help he neutralise the stomach acid. My son would not take the other dummies but took to Nuk Genius dummies instantly. It is much softer and thinner than other dummies.

I have heard of silent reflux babies taking to the latex dummies instantly after refusing silicone dummies. Maybe try those?

Keep offering the different dummies, eventually, she will take to one of them.

I can relate to what you are going through. Hope you find a solution soon.

Hi lady, I experienced the same with my son. The poor child can't sleep because it hurts when she lies down. She is drinking non stop because it eases the burning for a little while, but then generates more acid which makes the problem worse and it turns into a vicious cycle .

My son behaved exactly like your daughter is behaving. After being to 6 different paeds, I finally saw one who told me it's silent reflux and prescribed antacid and Novalac AR formula. The two changed our lives for the better. Within a week, he was sleeping for 6 hour stretches and was sleeping through the night after 2 weeks.

Please go see a paed who specialises in silent reflux before you loose your mind. I know I almost did. Good luck.

She's breastfed and won't take a bottle. We tried a dummy when she was a newborn and she also spits that out. I've tried subsequently to introduce a dummy but she just won't take it. She's on solids yes, I was told things will get better once on solids but it's not true for us. It makes no difference. She won't attach to any other thing like a taglet either. I've been giving her the same bunny for months but she doesn't care for it. I looked into silent reflux and she doesn't have that. I'm persisting with the bottle (medela calma), she can hold it but plays with the teet like its a teether (she's not teething though). I've been able to express now so hopefully can start using the stock pile I'm building up soon as she is willing to suck from a bottle. Incidentally I have tried a sippy cup too but that becomes like drumsticks to her. I've been awake for 30 hours now and I need sleep but the only way I can get this is if I let her fall asleep on the boob or if she sleeps in bed with me in which case I will probably let her nurse at will in my sleep - all of this is not what I'm supposed to allow if I want to teach her to stay asleep. Why does nothing help for her?

Hi Zombie mama,

I also didn't have quite the same experience, but feel for you!!

Since she is 7 months old already, I assume she is on solids already?
If she is just looking for the comfort, and not a feed, have you considered giving her something else in the bottle?
for example rooibos tea?

Also, in a situation like this, a dummy would be a lifesaver, if she is willing to take it!!

Hope it goes better soon!

Hi IreneL

Thanks for your advice. I haven't heard of silent reflux. Will look into it. She can hold a bottle and I've been trying to express while she naps but most of the time nothing comes out. Probably because it's just after a feed as I put her down for a nap after nursing her. I think it's due to the stress and lack of sleep too as I drink at least 3 liters water a day. Ideally I'd like to keep her on breastmilk however desperate times.... So I will look into that too.
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