I am the mother of 7 months old baby. My baby could not sleep for more than two hours. He sleeps at 12 in the night and keep awakening after every two hours. I breastfeed him to make him sleep. He wakes up in the morning at 8 and then do not sleep till 1 AM. In the daytime also, he sleeps only for two hours. He is otherwise very active and responsive.
Please advise how to make him sleep for longer periods of time.
Manjulika
The best way to get a baby to sleep more is to develop consistent bedtime routines. Start by reading the previous questions and comments by other parents who asked the same question and all of the answers I previously posted about bedtime routines.
Remember baby massage helps a baby get to sleep and stay asleep and will benefit you as well.
Best Wishes!
M Kay Keller
———- FOLLOW-UP ———-
QUESTION: Thanks a lot for your response. I’ve read the previous replies to the similar question as well. My baby does not sleep before 12AM at any cost. Not only in night, he wants his mother to be with him all the time. I ve read that let the baby cry for sometime. I normally do this to him even during the day (apart from night time). But he started screaming furiously and keep crying until I lift him up in my arms. He is taking all my time and energy as he sleeps very less even during the day. Please help.
Manjulika
Dear Manjulika:
It is normal for any child to want to be with their mother all the time. It is just nature at work. I do not ever suggest letting a baby cry especially one under the age of 2.
What is the baby suppose to learn from being allowed to cry that the people who love them the most and are suppose to meet their needs will ignore them when they cry?
When your instincts say to pick up a crying baby please listen to them. Babies NEED lots of touch and closeness to become wonderful adults.
The prisons are full of people who had their needs ignored and were left to cry. I don’t care what expert tells you to let a baby cry IGNORE THEM.
Best Wishes!
M Kay Keller