8 month old suddently freaking out at bedtime?

Question

My baby has been going down in his crib awake since he was about 4 months old and yes there may have been some crying and whining but this only lasted 10 minutes or so. 2 nights ago when I put him down (no change in routine) he started crying - screaming - working himself all up in under 2 minutes. I kept checking on him every 3 minutes but offering a pacifier didn't work, rubbing his back didn't work. After 30 Minutes he finally went to sleep. Then woke up around 1:30am screaming? I made sure he wasn't too hot or cold, diaper, no fever - and he eventually went back to sleep. I knew something was up but the next he was himself again. At bedtime though it got even worse then the previous night- I have never heard him cry like this and after 3 minutes I picked him up and rocked him to sleep (something I haven't done in months). He also woke around 3am and I tried so hard to soothe him from the side of the crib but his screams were escalating, so I picked him up - he quieted and fell asleep on my shoulder within Minutesns. He went back to bed for 4 hours?

He doesn't appear to be teething, no fever, no heavy drool no red cheeks, he is eating fine, taking naps during the day. He is not grabbing at his ears so I don't think its an ear infection....I am at a total loss. Has this happened to anyone else with their baby?

Answer 1

I would either say teething or an ear infection.  I know you said that your baby is not pulling at his ears, but that is not a true sign.  

This happen to me with my son at about 6-8 months old and I just thought it was his teeth.  Well, brought him to the doctor after 3 nights of this and yes, he had an ear infection in both ears.  Well, make a long story short, every time my son has an ear infection (prior to tubes) his symptoms would be different every time and even times where there were no symptoms but the screaming in the middle of the night.  

If you think it is teething, you could give your baby some teething tablets and/or Tylenol.  I think it is Hylands who makes the Homeopathic Teething Tablets.  They worked awesome with my son.  He is now 17-months old and I am still using them since he is cutting 3 teeth right now.  

Answer 2

If you don't think it is teething (which we just went through with the top teeth and that was a haaaard week!) then it is probably separation anxiety.  It usually shows up between 6-8 months so it certainly sounds like it could be what is going on.

Here is an article on it http://www.keepkidshealthy.com/developme...  and I know there there are lots of others out there with good advice.  good luck!

Answer 3

This happens to some babies only. Did you feed your baby gripe water? Maybe there is wind inside his/her tummy and that it hurts so he/she will be crying the h**l out. Another possibility is that your baby is freaked out by some kind of things that only people who has 3rd eye can see it. Most babies has the 3rd eye when they are born but soon it will disappear when reached around 2-4years old.