[LisaCA]

hi guys,

my 3.5 month old is crying in her sleep. Today she cried out very loudly for about 30 seconds and then I was able to calm her (she was sleeping next to me while I worked). Sometimes she can't be easily calmed. She normally doesn't wake up well-she often cries (eyes still closed) as she comes to. Any ideas? All the info on the web suggests she's a bit young for night terrors, but she been ahead of the curve on so many things.

fyi, she suffers from acid reflux (treated with zantac) and is colicky.

thanks for your help,

LisaCA

[redhedded]

Doubtful night terrors. Our daughter who was way ahead on everything, except walking, began having them at 10 months; they often consisted of more than 30 minutes of hysterical screaming from a complete deep sleep. The doctor had us do several things. First, she said if peanut was at all consolable then they were not night terrors. Secondly, she said to chart them nightly for two weeks. If they consistently happened irregularly then they were probably not night terrors, as they generally happen within 30 minutes to 1 hour of each other nightly, almost always 2-4 hours after falling asleep. When pediatrician was entirely convinced that they were night terrors, she had us awaken peanut nightly 30 minutes before the anticipated terror in an effort to interrupt the sleep cycle. That was slightly effective for a while; though they continued on occasion until a few months ago.

I think many (most) babies go through a dramatic change in sleeping pattern at this age, so it could be attributed to that. In addition, it is certain that reflux and/or gas could absolutely awaken them and cause intense screaming reaction. Have you inclined the head of her bed with a wedge or tried Mylicon drops prophylactically for gas or abdominal pressure?

[LisaCA]

hi red,

she does sleep with her head inclined and that helps a lot. when she screams she doesn't seem to be spitting up anything, gulping or any other hint that there is some fluid in her mouth (more than normal). She does occasionally have gas, but it is only occasionally (once every couple of weeks). She is taking the zantac and that seems to help the reflex.

I'll have to keep a record of when she does this, how close to having eaten it is, how long she's slept, etc. I appreciate the suggestions. we have a regular doc appt in about three weeks so the charting of her problem will give doc more info.

thanks so much,

LisaCA

[kamamsm]

Check & see if Zantac has the amino acid TRYPTOPHAN in it. This amino acid gave my daughter night terrors as a baby up till age five. This is in many things- milk, chocolate, turkey & Benedryl big time! This is the same amino acid that makes chocolate dangerous to dogs- their brains can't process it in large quantities. Some humans can't either when they are young. I was scared to death trying to figure out what was causing the night terrors in my dd. As I didn't give benedryl all the time we didn't see consistancy in the night terrors- no "pattern" till she was bigger.

[tobeafamily]

Ryan did this as well, and he was a reflux baby (Nutramigen baby). Our ped gave us two potential causes:

1. Pain during the digestive process - gets a flare, cries a bit, is soothed/comforted or it passes and then he's back to peaceful rest.

2. Babies sleep in 45 min - 1.5 hour cycles - at/near the end of a cycle, they decide whether they want to wake up or go back to sleep. Sometimes they can't decide well, start to wake up, are still tired, cry, and go back to sleep. I've found the adage to be true - if Ryan wakes up crying, he hasn't had enough sleep.

Lastly, babies do dream, though earlier in the sleep cycles than adults, and she may just be frustrated because she can't figure out her dreams.

Hang in there,

REgina

[LisaCA]

thanks everyone for your advice. we are checking to see if zantac may be triggering the problem, or whether her reflux is the source. we can often just soothe her with a pacifier and stroking and she falls back to sleep, or she's up for good. It will be interesting to see if there is a pattern to everything or whether it's just whenever her reflux acts up (which may or may not) be apparent. I blame my mom, who cursed me long ago (I hope you have a child just like you...). I have had reflux since birth and was a difficult child and so mom is gleeful that even thru adoption I have found a baby "just like" me-ugh.

thanks again for the support,

LisaCA

[mlbsands]

Our son has done this for a while as well.. he is 3 1/2 months.. we used to think it was gas related.. but there seems to be no rhyme or reason for it.. and it is really not consolable, but yet it does not seem to last for more than a few minutes.. sometimes he wakes himself up when crying anf sometimes he does not.. it used to really scare us.. but everyone we talked to said that sometime this just happens and to let them know that you are there and make sure that they are safe.. we are told that he will grow out of it.. not sure that helps.. but you are NOT alone.. )

Mandy

[LisaCA]

thanks mandy. nice to know I'm not alone. kinda wonder what goes on in their heads:-). I know when my cats dream I usually think they're having a good time, but with dd it always seems to be stressful. I think I just have more experience with cats and that's the problem.

btw, how is your son doing otherwise. dd is small compared to most babies (only 12 lbs) and most babies at her age are now huge. She's eating a ton:-), but I think it's just her genetics. We are having fun with her, but she can be a handful. Dh and I are still working out the new parent issues but this is definitely fun and I hope to do this again in the next year or two.

happy halloween!

LisaCA

[mlbsands]

) I also wonder what is going on in thier heads... ) Our son is GREAT.. but very BIG.. (he is over 25 inces and about 19 lbs already)... but just cute as anything..

He slept thru the night for 3 days in a row.. (then up last night at 3 am) so it is getting better on that front as well..

We are also getting used to an infant.. but overall we are thrilled and everytime he smiles at us it makes it all worth it... )

I would love to see a recent pic of your daughter... )

What was she for halloween?? Daniel was Eyeore ... )

Mandy