My baby boy has been a good sleeper - from about 5 months he started sleeping from 8pm through to 6.30 am. More recently he has slept from 7.30 pm through to 8am. However, for the last 8 days his sleep has suddenly become disrupted. One recurring pattern is that he wakes up at about 1am screaming and then it takes 1 to 2 hours to put him back to sleep. We have tried comforting him (in his cot) and then, when quiet, leaving the room but he immediately starts screaming again. We have tried lying on the floor next to his cot and he eventually drifts off but will wake again an hour later, he appears to be more settled in our presence regardless of whether we are interacting with him. He does not have a temperature or a loss of appetite. He does have a mild cold but on previous occasions when he has had a cold, he has usually slept through without a problem. Would you have any advice on what may be causing the problem and any suggestions on how to resolve it (including how best to handle him i.e. not picking him up, letting him cry etc.)?

A Thank you for your question. There could be a number of reasons for your baby’s behaviour.

• It is possible that he is teething and if you get the opportunity to look in his mouth you may see swellings in the middle of the bottom row where his two front teeth should be which will indicate that he is teething. If you feel that this is the reason give him half a teaspoon of Calpol which is liquid paracetamol and is an analgesic suitable for babies.
• He may wake up and be afraid. He will have reached the stage in his emotional development and begin to feel fear and sadness. Reassure him by going to him but not picking him up. Give him a kiss and a cuddle and try to settle him again.
• A small night light might be helpful
• If he has a favourite toy give it to him every time you leave the room to help him form an attachment to it for comfort when you are not there.
• His cold may well be waking him up and if this is so it will pass once the cold has gone.
• Have you introduced anything new into his diet that could cause wind? For example onions, garlic, beans peas?

You may also want to try the ‘gently, gently’ approach if the sleeping does not improve. The following is a description of how to implement it:

• Sit on a chair close to the bed and do not leave the room until she is asleep. Some parents sit reading a book and if you want to do this a little clip on light on your book may help. Other parents use a walkman (ipod) and listen to music to help them keep calm.
• Do not speak or look at her but you can stroke her
• If she screams do your best to ignore it and return her to the lying position.
• If she tries to sit up. Gently and calmly, put her in the lying position again.
• It will be very difficult for the first few nights, sometimes the problem gets worse because she may be testing you to see if you are serious or not.
• Each night move the chair slightly away from the cot/bed, gradually moving the chair towards the door. When the chair is outside the door your child should be sleeping and the programme is finished.

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