Teething, childcare, and now sleep is horrible

LO is nine months old and started daycare five weeks ago. Has trouble sleeping there and usually takes two 45-minute naps. Also, he is teething and waking up crying many times per night, which appears to be growing worse. Now his voice is hoarse, and he would only sleep if I hold him. He usually sleeps through the night in his cot with little issue. Even as a newborn, he did not require as much contact for sleep.

A month ago, he would never have fallen asleep being held; he adores his cot. Now, when I try to transfer him, he screams bloody murder immediately.

So now it’s 6 a.m., and I’ve slept for two hours. Are these situations normal? Motrin and Tylenol do not appear to help.

My two-year-old just started daycare for the first time, and her molars are coming in, so YES, I can relate. She used to be a great sleeper, but now she’s waking up all the time! For the first couple of weeks, I did whatever she wanted, but now I’m a bit more strategic. I put her down, leave the room, and when she screams, I come back in and pick her up. We repeat this about five times until my back starts to hurt. Then, I get a little less involved—I let her cry for a minute, then come back in to soothe her without picking her up. After that, I just poke my head in the door a few times until she finally falls asleep without me.

In the middle of the night, I do pretty much the same thing: one pick-up, then more hands-off soothing. Last night, I let her cry for a couple of minutes, and she fell back to sleep!

For my girl, it’s a combination of teething, new sickness, and separation anxiety, so Tylenol can only help so much. I try to give her a lot of attention after school to fill her cup, so to speak. But I’m new at this too, so what do I know, lol!

Thank you very much for sharing!! I’ve been concerned about damaging excellent sleep habits in the long run, but he’s definitely going through it and needs comfort. I like your approach!

Adjusting to daycare can also impact your baby’s sleep. The new environment and routine can be stimulating and make it harder for them to nap well. Communicate with the daycare staff about your baby’s sleep needs and see if they can create a more conducive napping environment.

A hoarse voice can be due to excessive crying or irritation from drooling during teething. Ensure your baby stays hydrated and consider using a cool-mist humidifier in their room to keep the air moist.