Yet Another Sleep/nursing Issue About My 5 1/2 Mos. Old Daughter.

Maybe she misses Hawaii and wants to go back? LOL! Just kidding, mama!

I think you have a combination of two things, most likely...
1) She could be beginning to teeth, and there are other developmental/growth surges that happen around that age. These cause distress in the baby, because of all the uncomfortable or unusual sensations going on, and that, in turn, leads to more "comfort nursing" and neediness in general, as well as inability to sleep well. By the way, "comfort nursing" is JUST as valid as nursing for nutrition--and keeps being a very valid way to sooth and support a young child long past the age where they move onto solid foods for their primary nutritional sources. So don't get caught up in the type of thinking that goes "she's trying to manipulate me". She isn't...she really needs you!
At that age, though, as she does move into higher levels of abilities and brain growth, she will probably sleep less deeply than as a brand new infant. Not just discomfort causes this. It is also caused by simply gearing up for more physical activity.

2) It may be that the travel interrupted her usual pace of things and you are still dealing with this a bit. I kind of doubt that it is the major reason, though. It's probably just a coincidental thing that you happened to take her on a trip at a time when other developmental changes were just about to occur.

Just curious, why aren't you ok with nursing her to sleep? I found that to be an excellent way to soothe my babies when they were this age, and it did not lead to an inability to go to sleep without nursing when they were tired enough. Sometimes it's the only way. I vote for doing whatever works at this challenging stage of her development, when all she can do is cry to let you know the multiple things that may be bothering her.

This is growth spurt time again, feed like crazy and that should help tons. Teething could be the problem also. Was she carried around constantly and entertained by family CONSTANTLY while on vacation? She may have become slightly spoiled :). One last thing to consider is that she has an ear infection. Every time I have taken my daughter on a plane (shes 3 now) she gets an ear infection within 2 weeks. She has been on a plane 3 times, we are NOT doing it again anytime soon. The laying down position is horrible for someone with an ear infection, the pain is worse then. Hope this helped, good luck...

gee, are you sure she is healthy?? Traveling sometimes makes my kids sick, and maybe she has something going on like a little ear infection or something. It may be teething, too, that timing may be about right, but I'd get her checked out. Sounds like she is in pain or not feeling all that well.

I have a son who'll be 3 in October, and a 5 month old daughter, and I live in Hawaii...
Anyway, Your poor baby sounds exhausted! Do you have a copy of "Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child" by Marc Weissbluth? It's a wonderful book, written by a sleep expert. He explains things that really make a lot of sense to me as a parent. Following his advice has helped me solve every sleep issue I've come across with my kids, and they are both very happy, pleasant children.
He says "Fatigue causes increased arousal. Therefore, the more tired your child, the harder it is for her to fall asleep, stay asleep, or both."

If I were in your situation I would let my baby work through the built up stress that is hindering her ability to sleep. She's also at the age where she'd much rather enjoy your company than sleep, but just like junk food, junk sleep isn't good for her. Besides you're exhausted too!

Some parents feel as if they can't let their baby cry:
Dr. Weissbluth also addresses "Why can't I let my baby cry?
1. 'Unpleasant childhood memories.' - These may surface and remind you of feelings of loneliness or being unwanted.
2. 'Working mother's guilt.'- You may feel guilty about being away from your child so much.
3. 'We already tried and it didn't work.' - Maybe the child was too young then; maybe you taught her, by your behavior, that if she cried for more than a certain amount of time, you would go to her; maybe you unknowingly provided partial reinforcement by going to her at some times but not at others.
4. 'I enjoy my baby's company too much at night.' -This may be because you're not a good sleeper yourself.
5. 'If I don't nurse my baby at night, she might lose weight.' - This is not true.
6. 'We're under a lot of stress.' - In 'My Child Won't Sleep: If you are feeling stressed, your child may respond by not sleeping so well.'
7. 'I feel that I am a bad parent if my baby cries.' -You are not a bad parent if you are helping your baby learn healthy sleep habits.
8. 'I am afraid that letting my baby cry will cause her permanent emotional harm.' - There is NO evidence that protest crying while your child is learning/relearning how to sleep better will cause any kind of emotional problems later in life."

Here's his "Action Plan for Exhausted Parents' for months 5-8
... - Put her to sleep, after soothing, within only one hour of wakefulness for the morning nap.
-During the one hour of wakefulness, if possible, expose your child to bright natural light.
-If she cries, leave her alone for at least 10-20 minutes. If the child has an easy temperament, prepare to leave her alone for one hour.
-Try to establish naps around 9 am, 1 pm, and if need, a late-afternoon nap. Try to avoid naps at other times."

Also, don't be afraid to put your baby down as early as 6 pm for the night to help her catch up on the sleep she so desperately needs. "Sleep Begets Sleep!" Good luck! :)