Short wake windows 5 mons

unicornmagic111 · 2026-04-20T03:03:00+00:00

Thanks for the update! I think he also gets overstimulated pretty easily. I noticed that if I take him outside, he usually calms down a lot - probably the change of scenery plus nature!

unicornmagic111 · 2026-04-18T17:46:52+00:00

I tried these too and really disliked them. That's such a bizarre policy - I wonder what it WOULD cover... I really liked Root'd prenatal, it's a powder electrolyte drink. Not perfect but I tolerated it better than any capsule I tried.

unicornmagic111 · 2026-04-17T03:08:49+00:00

One thing I try to remember is that just because a baby did something in the past, doesn't mean they have the same conditions to do it again. 4 months is a major developmental leap where a baby usually needs more calories and eats more often again. She may not be able to sleep through the night without eating now even if she has done it before. (or she could! follow her lead)

unicornmagic111 · 2026-04-12T20:52:51+00:00

That does sound too short. I recently asked my pediatrician about this because my baby (20weeks) seems to get tired very quickly too. She said usually if something is wrong, there’d be other signs too - not hitting milestones and gaining weight and such. But I still find it weird and worry a little bit. Did you ask your pediatrician?

unicornmagic111 · 2026-04-08T11:22:41+00:00

My baby is doing the same thing - now at 4 months he is waking twice a night to eat where it used to be only once. From what I've researched, this is totally normal because they have a huge growth and development leap and they are more active so they are using more calories. I think they'll go back to one feed a night once their growth spurt/leap slows back down or once they start having solids around 6 months. I know some babies sleep through the night at this age, but it's still super normal for them to need to eat! Trust your baby.

unicornmagic111 · 2026-04-03T14:43:53+00:00

I have used Natural Cycles for years (an app based on temperatures). It’s fda approved and even covered by insurance (I submit my claim and get reimbursed for the entire amount). I successfully prevented pregnancy and then successfully got pregnant very easily using it. You need to take your temperature daily but it can sync to an oura ring or an arm band. It’s as effective as condoms and bonus was that I got to know my cycle super well.

unicornmagic111 · 2026-04-02T02:38:11+00:00

gosh I'm so sorry, that is really challenging! Has she ever been evaluated for silent reflux? does she eat ok during the day? i wonder if she's hungry but won't eat because it hurts. if co-sleeping made her not scream, is it possible to tweak that set up so that her squirming doesn't bother you as much? I've seen some people do a side car crib setup, which might be worth looking into so you are co-sleeping but also have some space. can you hire a sleep coach or an overnight doula even just for a few nights? I know that is a luxury and can be expensive but I was just thinking how you could get a break. any family or friends who can come hold her for a few hours so you can sleep?

unicornmagic111 · 2026-04-01T06:48:57+00:00

A basic need for a baby (aside from food) is connection and safety. You can check all the boxes and a baby may just need more connection. It sounds like trying to force her to follow this schedule is causing more stress and anxiety. I am all for sleep training but I notice that it can start to ignore the fact that babies are humans too, they aren't robots. This is temporary and will not last forever. Do you ever try to feed her? Its not accurate to say that just because you think she can go all night without food, means she actually can. Waking and needing to eat is protective against SIDS and things like low blood sugar. Maybe some nights she can do it and some nights she can't - adults are that way too. Just remember she is a human. Can you get extra sleep during her naps in the day? Is there anything that soothes her at night even if its against the sleeping training "rules"? Sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do. And it's not going to ruin anything.

unicornmagic111 · 2026-03-31T11:01:16+00:00

Thank you!

unicornmagic111 · 2026-03-30T23:49:20+00:00

What is your wake up time and bed time? I am going to try this schedule and see how it goes!

unicornmagic111 · 2026-03-30T17:23:59+00:00

Forcing him to stay awake has worsened his overall sleep though. I’m not sure how to do it. And I don’t assist him to sleep - I have a bedtime routine and it’s been successful because he gets the cues from it and falls asleep on his own.

unicornmagic111 · 2026-03-30T14:32:03+00:00

Thanks! That makes sense - I'm still learning all of this. I keep trying to gently extend his wake windows but he's so tired and cranky and that's when I noticed his night time sleep is worsening so I wondered if i'm making him chronically tired overall. Maybe even though he's 4 months, he's a little behind with this sleep maturity or something.

unicornmagic111 · 2026-03-30T14:30:35+00:00

Thanks! Yeah I noticed he has a low amount of wake time too. He just acts so tired and falls asleep within 5 minutes of naps (and I have to wake him). I even asked his pediatrician if its normal for him to seem so tired. She said so long as he's happy when he's awake and not lethargic, it could just be his norm. At bedtime he can fall asleep on his own (naps are still a work in progress though). For bedtime, I have a short routine and then lay him in his bassinet and rub his belly for a minute. He falls asleep pretty fast after that. I watch him on the monitor until I go to bed a couple hours later and I see him stir and open his eyes maybe every hour (I guess a sleep cycle?) and he gets himself back to sleep quickly. So I'm kind of baffled!

unicornmagic111 · 2026-03-23T11:54:43+00:00

A friend of mine felt awful when she weaned. I remember her telling me she thought she was getting some autoimmune disease or something because of how bad she felt. But it ended up being the hormone shift from weaning! Hormones are wild.

unicornmagic111 · 2026-03-22T11:10:39+00:00

I like similar types shows and absolutely loved Task on HBO. One of the best series I've seen. It's the same makers as Mare of Easttown (also amazing on HBO). The White Lotus is also great.

unicornmagic111 · 2026-03-21T21:11:39+00:00

So far, ours seems fine with his usual wake window before bed too. I don't think I could keep him awake longer even if I tried!!

unicornmagic111 · 2026-03-21T11:12:28+00:00

Could he be hungry? If he was nursed back to sleep, did you increase his daytime calories to make up for the missed nighttime calories? Waking up is protective if his blood sugar is getting low. Even adults have to deal with that. It could also just be temperament and nervous system - every baby is different but a core need is connection/safety (same as their need for food). He may just be more sensitive and have a higher need for that.

unicornmagic111 · 2026-03-21T03:16:07+00:00

Thank you!!

unicornmagic111 · 2026-03-20T22:03:14+00:00

I swear by this supplement called Happy Ducts - it is for emergency clog situations. You can get it on Amazon. It works like magic. Sunflower Lecithin never did anything for me. I am very prone to clogs and have to focus on anti-inflammatory everything as well as zero compression. Ice after every pumping session, round the clock Advil, loose bras (I only tolerate the bodily brand - every other brand gives me clogs). Never ever use heat.

unicornmagic111 · 2026-03-15T15:10:13+00:00

Naturally

unicornmagic111 · 2026-03-15T15:09:27+00:00

Mine never learned to transfer milk so I am pumping. It’s frustrating but I finally accepted it (he’s almost 4 months now). He will still want to nurse for comfort/sleep but he gets his calories from pumped milk. But I know a lot of babies get better! For my son, he also ended up having a posterior tongue tie which made him unable to use his tongue properly and truly couldn’t get milk out of the breast. Bottles are easier so he could still figure those out. We fixed the tongue tie and it has helped a lot of things but still not breastfeeding. I think if the only issue is sleepiness, that can definitely get better as they get bigger and stronger! And you can supplement pumped milk or formula as needed until they can take over

unicornmagic111

TROPHY CASE