Sleep Regression

I'm into my third or forth week of hardly any sleep (cant remember as seems like forever) due to Joel waking up several times in the night. He used to be an easy baby up until 7 months old then it all changed.

At the very point he hit 7 months he started to crawl, followed by pulling himself up to his knees and now recently to his feet. With this he's become very grumpy and fussy.

After last night I managed a full hour and half sleep before Joel woke up at 11.55pm I thought I'd have at least until 2am like the previous night. I tried to settle by rocking him, dummy and water but nothing would settle him so I took him downstairs as I didn't want him waking Ollie which is becoming a regular thing now and gave him milk which did the trick until 3.20am. Then it started all over again.

The health visitor said not to give milk during the night but if its the only thing that works what else are you to do let him scream the house down and get no sleep at all. I don't think so.

Sweet Innocent Boy

Anyway I've been reading up about 8 month olds waking up 3-10 times a night and apparently it's all normal as between 8, 9 and 10 months all babies go through sleep regression due to a developing brain so as they have so much activity going on it stops them sleeping soundly like when adults have a big event the next day it stops us sleeping. According to what I read it can last between 3 to 6 weeks so I guess at least I'm some way through it now. 

Normally this sleep regression stage is worse than when it happens at 4 months as they are also teething. 

I just want it to be over with now as I'm just too tired I can't cope with anymore sleepless nights especially when I also have a 2 year old to look after. My patience has gone out the window completely and I am very ratty.