7mth old has sudden change in sleep habits – concerned about sleep apnea?
by Sarah Aniston
Filed under Sleep Apnea Books
Hi. My little girl is 7mths old and has never slept through the night. The best night of sleep we’ve had she still woke up 2-3 times. But the past two nights she has been waking up every hour. Last night at 3:30am I finally broke down and put her in her swing to sleep, which helped, and she slept until 6:30am. I’m starting to worry. At first I thought it could be the recent change in her schedule – I just went back to work full time two days ago but when I think back her sleeping habits started changing last week with her naps (She just doesn’t want to sleep). Then I thought maybe she’s teething. Then I came across something that said sleep apnea. I’m starting to worry. Any suggestions? Thanks.
Her routine is to go to bed around 6:30 or 7, she usually wakes around 6am. Then aroun 10am she gets a nap – sometimes an hour but lately she only sleeps for 20-30mins. Then another nap in the afternoon around 2, the same as in the morning, but again she’s only sleeping about 30mins now. I guess I just want to know if me going back to work could be a factor or teething? She doesn’t snore or anything, which I thought was a sign of sleep apnea.
She sleeps on her side with blankets around her, in her crib, with a night light on.
Of course I would say to call your pediatrician first. I really don’t know much about sleep apnea.
Somethings to consider… Is your little girl napping too much during the day? And is her room quiet and dark as possible?
Kids go through different sleeping spells as they grow. Your new schedule probably didn’t help. As far as apnea my daughter had it and GERD as an infant it wasn’t fun. How do you have her positioned to sleep? Try elevating the head of her crib so that she is at more of a reclined position. I can’t officially recommend it but daughter always breathed best on her stomach and since yours is 7 months I would assume that she can roll her self over so might try that position. Check with the doctor on the apnea but be prepared if the doctor thinks that it is possible you will have to spend the night with her in the hospital and they will attach her to a lot of sensors and tubes and things. Otherwise you just may have one of those kids that takes a long time to pick a regular sleep pattern.
You know, not all babies sleep through the night. Take a poll and chances are that the vast majority wake often. The best way to ensure a good nights sleep is to breast feed.. then, when they wake up, you just offer up your breast and they go back to sleep.
First off, RELAX!!! My 7 mo old is doing the same thing. It’s havoc on us, but we adapt.
Yes, your new schedule has some affect on her sleep, as well as teething. She could also be going thru a growth change.
We have had to put my daughter in her swing (it’s a lay back, not a sit up)and let her watch TV. It works for her and us. She goes right back to “normal” within a couple of days. (She’s no different than other kids and people. Sometimes you just can’t sleep.)
I understand your frustration, because moms usually use those naptimes as mommy time, whether it is to relax, clean, whatever. I was worried too…even after 6 other kids, (but they are all different).
I take each day as it comes. She used to have a “set” bedtime too…she set it, and now that is out of whack.
I just have to change my daily plans. So what, if laundry/dishes gets done a few hours later or not at all for the day…I enjoy her crawling, standing, walking…just being. I just have to work harder and faster…or smarter…when she is asleep.
I worry too, when she DOES sleep thru the night. Mainly, b/c I can’t remember what I did to make it happen.
This too will pass, but if you continue to worry, contact your ped and discuss it with him/her.
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Just now saw your additional info. Reduce the blankets and remove the nite-lite. There’s been studies that babies under two who sleep with a nite-lite have poorer eyesight. I understand your philosophy for it, but I have never used one in the bedroom..they go in the hall, living room, kitchen and bathroom.
i wouldnt worry too much. childre tend to change there sleeping patterns often especially when infants. It probally just is the changes in her life now just be sure to stick to a schedual for bed time and she’ll get use to it.
I wouldn’t worry about it, babies go through many different sleep cycles as they grow. She could be about to hit a growth spurt, my daughter went through one at six months and she wanted to nurse every hour for two days. Or it could be because of the recent change of her mom not being around during the day, you’re right. She could just be testing to make sure that you will still be there at night or she could be craving your company more because she missed you during the day. If this pattern continues for a week, I would call your doctor, for advice if nothing else, so that you don’t go crazy from lack of sleep.
i had to put a fan in both my daughters rooms, for the constant sound. it worked miracles. of course don’t blow the fan on her, face it away. but consider her naps, she might be sleeping too much durring the day. also consider the foods she eats, is she eating solids, if so, is she comfortable?? is she wet when you get her in the middle of the night?? if so, try not to give her too much to drink before bed. if she’s not napping, she might be over tired, and that needs to be corrected. an hour and a half durring the day should be enough for a nap. and yeah, she probably is teething. if after all this you’re still concerned, call your pediatritian.
she goes to bed at 7 at night, and gets up at 6 am, and taking 2 half hour naps, she’s getting too much sleep. seriously, cut her bedtime later, like 9 if you can help it. both my daughters are in bed before 10 pm, and sleep till 7 am, and take an hour nap.