Sleeping FAQ: 8-12 Weeks – Settling/Sleep Association

My 8 week old son always needs resettling in the evening. I am concerned it may become a problem

My son is in the perfect routine; he settles himself nicely and is waking up contented before I even get into his bedroom after his day time sleeps. He goes to bed in the evening well – normally around 6.45 (so that I can get the older child settled for 7pm), but the he wakes up between 7.30 and 7.45pm crying. The only way I can settle him is by picking him up and cuddling him for about 3min. He goes back into his bed awake and settles himself back to sleep for the night. This time is the only time when I have to pick him up, any other time he requires settling I can always do it from the bed. I am just rather worried that this is going to become an issue in the future?

My son takes feeds of 210mls at 7am, 10.30am and 10.30pm. He takes 180mls at 2.30pm and 120mls at both 5 and 6.15pm. For the last three nights he has not woken at 5.30am needing a 90ml feed.

My son takes infant Gaviscon for reflux

He naps at 9-9.45am, 12-2.15pm and 4.30-5pm.

If your baby is settling to sleep straight after his feed at 6.15pm it may be wind that is causing him to wake 45 minutes later. Small babies at this time of day are getting tired and may take slightly longer to wind, or just not bring it up so easily. As his first sleep cycle ends he comes into a light sleep and may wake if he feels uncomfortable.

As your baby suffers from reflux he may need to be kept in an upright position for a short while after his feed before being settled to sleep. Try leaving him sitting in his baby chair in his room, with a dimmed light, until your older child is in bed. Being more upright for 10-15 minutes after his feed could help settle his tummy, which would make it less likely that he will wake 45 minutes after you settle him to sleep.

You probably want your baby to be in bed before settling your older child, who may feel it is unfair if his brother is up later than him. Also, having to deal with an older child as well means it may not be easy for you to hold your baby upright for any length of time once he has finished his bottle. You could try elevating the head of his bed using telephone directories under the legs to see if he is more comfortable that way.

You also could try picking up your baby before he stirs at 7.30pm/7.45pm and see if this prevents him waking fully. Unless he begins to wake for longer or finds it harder to settle back alone this brief reassurance from you should not lead to any long term sleep association.