A mom writes in asking for advice about her 9-month-old infant daughter. She says her baby daughter has recently begun waking up multiple times a night in tears. She adds that her daughter will not go back to sleep after she wakes until she is held by her mother, but then this mom is unable to put her daughter back down without the crying starting again. Her daughter used to be a great sleeper, but now things are different. Should this mom be concerned?
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A member of the community asks:
“My 9-month-old has been waking up in tears: Advice?
I have an almost nine-month-old. Lately, she’s been waking up every night in tears, and she will not go back to sleep until I hold her, usually in bed. Once she’s asleep, I try to put her back down, and she wakes up screaming again.
It’s been like that for like five nights now, and getting her to sleep at night has been a struggle. I don’t mind the late-night snuggles, but she’s been a great sleeper since she was five months old. What changed? Is it some form of separation anxiety? Is it normal for babies?”
– Mamas Uncut Community Member
Community Advice for This Mom Whose Daughter Wakes Up in Tears Every Night
To see what advice the Mamas Uncut Facebook community has for this mom in need, read the comments of the post embedded below.
Advice Summary
The community offered this mom in need a lot of great advice. Read some of their responses below.
“Get her ears checked for infection. My baby was the same and after tubes, she sleeps so peacefully now.”
“Mine have both done that with teething and ear infections.”
“If it’s a scream, check for ear infections. If not, you’re best just letting her cry it out until she gets back into her normal sleep routine. It’s hard to hear them cry but she’ll be fine!”
“Could be a lot of things… teething, growth spurt, night terrors, or even an ear infection. My 1-year-old kept waking at night and it turned out she had a double ear infection. If she keeps doing it, take her to the dr to get checked out just in case.”
“My son had really bad night terrors when he was a baby. My guess is it’s either that or teething pain.”
“Probably either teething or have her checked for ear infection. Doctor told us once that when you holding them up, the pressure is not so bad in-ears, but when laid down flat, pressure in the ears will make it sore and they will wake up.”
“Could be nightmares or night terrors but also could be baby just wants mama. Keep in mind you are the safe zone. I know my 1-year-old flips if she wakes up without me there. Lately, my 4-year-old has been sleeping with her because they just want to cuddle and they sleep better by each other until I lay down then there both all over me.”
“My daughter did this when she was going through a growth spurt. After about a week or so she was good again.”
“Teething? My 3-year old still wakes up crying for me, though. Might be bad dreams.”
“Sounds like she’s dreaming. Dreaming is really hard on little ones since they can’t differentiate from what’s real and what’s not.”
“My daughter did that, night terrors. Usually happens about an hour after the fall asleep but there’s not much you can do but let them grow out of it.”
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