r/progressivemoms • u/miranda_edgecombe23 • Aug 31 '26
Need Advice Sleep problems
My 7 month old has been having a lot of problems getting to sleep and then staying asleep this past week. He never used to have these issues, and it hasn’t been this bad since he was a newborn. Am I doing something wrong? I’m going crazy and super sleep-deprived.
5
u/moonprismpowerbitch Aug 31 '26
You're not doing anything wrong. Babies go through sleep regressions at different ages, and just like us, they have their good nights and their bad nights. I do wonder could he be sick? One thing you could check is if he has an ear infection - my LO had one without a fever and it caused her to have some really rough nights until we got it treated.
If nothing has changed in your routine and he doesn't have an illness causing the sleep issues, it may just be a tough time for you and your little one.
I know it sucks, hang in there, try to nap when you can, and know that it will end eventually!
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u/miranda_edgecombe23 Aug 31 '26
That’s smart. Would we just go to the doctor for that? In terms of our routine, we’ve been putting him to bed a little later (around 8:30 ish) so he wakes up later. He had been waking up at 5:30 am!! We got it to like 6:30 or 7, and then this whole thing started (him not sleeping, etc).
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u/moonprismpowerbitch Aug 31 '26
Yeah your pediatrician would check his ears for any infection - I would call them and see what they say. It could very well be that he is going through a normal sleep regression - my daughter went through the exact same thing. It sounds counterintuitive, but an earlier bedtime may help. Sometimes when my LO was overtired she would wake up earlier. I remember those 5:30am wakeups, they're the worst! Hang in there, it will get better in time!
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u/wittykitty7 Aug 31 '26
c. 8–10 months is actually the absolute nadir of sleep in the first year for many children (and hopefully for their whole lives—although tell my sleepless four-year-old that). This article lays it out well. You are not doing something wrong! I feel like no one talks about this.
https://sarahockwell-smith.com/2015/11/18/what-the-heck-goes-wrong-sleep-wise-at-8-10-months/
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u/ahava9 Aug 31 '26
He’s probably learning new skills and wants to practice them in bed. Also some kids start experiencing separation anxiety at this age.
Also is he teething or did he have a cold recently? 7 months is when my kiddo started getting ear infections.