sleeeeeeeep.....

This is pretty much exactly what Rohann was doing (after being a fantastic sleeper), and then was diagnosed with silent reflux (where there is no actually spilling as the swallow it back down). She also had acouple of other symptoms; she was really squirmy in bed (I could hear her during the night when she was in our room), when feeding she would stop and start screaming (you could hear the pain), although before that started it was just the snacking behaviour you described (as the want to feed as the milk helps the acidity, but there is stil pain etc), she would cry when laid down but was ok sitting up. And her personality kinda changed, she went from being a happy go lucky baby, that was easy, placid and slept like a dream, to being unhappy, unsettled, etc and being terrible at sleeping. I eventually had enough at 6 weeks (it had got worse and worse over a 2 week period) and decided it wasn't her settling down, or going through a growth spurt and nor did I need to toughen up, which were all suggestions from people, but that something was wrong. So off to the doctor we went and reflux it was. I'm not saying that this is what is happening to Jackson, but it does sound very similar.

We used a sleep consultant when Elle was much younger and her view was that if they wake each sleep cycle at night, it means they are hungry. If he is a sleepy baby, the hunger will disturb him enough to cry for a bit then sleep will take over again. At his age, I would suggest feeding him early on in this 30 minute waking cycle and see if he will then have a better sleep for a longer block.

At your sons age, Elle would only sleep for 10 mins at a time during the day. Unfortunately some kids are catnappers. Not nice for them or us. All you can do is ensure he has a good feed, is winded, and that he settles himself to sleep. If you help him get off to sleep he will expect that comfort to be there when he has partial wakings at different stages of the sleep cycles. A simple pat-shhhh when he stirs may help.

Unfortunately in some cases, as in my daughters, it takes time for them to extend out their naps.   After I took her to the osteopath she extended out to 1hour sleeps and then to 2 hour sleeps.

However, try the above and perhaps even visit your local family centre for some help.

hmmm - i have just got him up (hes been asleep for about 40 mins - but has cried twice in that time) and i offered him the breast and he had about 2mins worth then pulled away and fell asleep, put him to bed and he was awake again, but slowly drifted off to sleep. 10mins later he is awake again crying? its the same cry as well?

yip hes wrapped :) whats the hour turn around thing?
i went and picked him up before and bought him into the lounge with me and he fell straight asleep? i then went to put him down and the moment he realised he was being put in his cot he started crying... now hes asleep on the couch next to me fast asleep?

yeah i had put him down when he first showed signs of being tired - but with all this waking and crying etc he is then getting overtired.
he slept 7 HOURS last night so he is certainly exhausted!!

Hi Kaiz

I too had sleep issues with my son and asked for help on OhBaby. Isn't it great all the help you can get from here! Anyway, what I have found that works, is definitely the hour turnaround, the other is I bought a white noise CD which seems to be working a treat. I was having great difficulty getting Oliver to go to sleep during the day, he would really fight it. Then he would only sleep for around 45 mins - one sleep cycle - and no matter what I tried he would not then go back to sleep. The white noise CD helps get him to sleep and make the sleep last longer! Would definitely recommend. I don't actually use it at night cause Oliver sleeps really well at night, but during the day it is a definite saviour - so far!

Cheers
Amanda

Sometimes snacking can really upset their tums so perhaps try to keep at least 2 hours between feeds (unless of course he is clearly hungry). Short naps does not necessarily mean hungry and feeding too often can just make the cycle worse. It is a hard balancing act isn't it!?