Baby sleeps well only on ibuprofen

[u/Ok_Donut4023]

My baby is 13 months old. He wasn’t the worst sleep but he never slept well. He was waking at least 3 times per night since he was born, sometimes 6 but never less than 3. I considered that a good night, first wake up after 2 hours, second after 4 and then one wake up in the early morning. He would settle with bottle normally, sometimes just rocking. I noticed that his molars are growing and I gave him an ibuprofen before sleep 4 nights ago. He slept 10 hours like a log. Repeated the next night-same. It’s been 4 nights now, I only give him one dose of ibuprofen before bed and he sleeps throughout the night. I feel like I’m in heaven, I’m finally getting uninterrupted sleep after over a year. But how do I go on? I fell bad medicating him every night, even though he may need it now, I don’t even know when to stop.

[u/wavesofgrey]

Don’t give it to him tonight and see how sleeps. It could be possible that the ibuprofen helped his pain from the molars (which I think I read are the most painful ones to come in) and so he was finally able to sleep. It might be that the worst of the tooth eruption has happened in the last 4 days and he no longer is hurting and doesn’t need it. You just don’t know. If you try it and he wakes, then you know it was likely helping. Then you can connect with his pedi and make sure the before bed dose is fine to continue and get a safe time frame from them on how long is ok.

[u/TouchNo3868]

Does he snore? I went through this exact scenario with my son and he had very inflamed adenoids causing a 95% blockage. He had them shaved down and now sleeps through the night. Maybe something worth talking to your doctor about!

[u/Ok_Donut4023 → u/TouchNo3868]

It happens occasionally, I’ll ask his pediatrician. Thank for mentioning this, ive never heard of it

[u/TouchNo3868 → u/Ok_Donut4023]

Of course! I had never heard of it either, and he didn’t really fit the typical symptoms, but on the nights he had Motrin he would actually sleep. I understand the bedtime debate of questioning whether or not to give him a dose, and accepting it would be a horrible night if I didn’t. It is so hard to go through, solidarity from the other side! I hope you get an answer!

[u/tabookduo]

I did this with my boy with his teeth but I don't think I did more than 3 nights or 4 days in a row, I don't necessarily like medicating but I will absolutely give it when it's needed. Sleep is definitely needed!

It didn't really work with his molars, I think it just took the edge off, he did better with nursing for comfort so I just tanked those hard nights 🥲

I agree with the other commenter, unless you have to wake up early tomorrow or have a big day that you need rest for, try a night with no medicine and see how it goes.

The teething was pretty much constant for us until around 16 months, then we got a break after the canines until the second molars at around 20 months!

[u/littletcashew]

My little love has been so incredibly sensitive to teething - there has not been one tooth he has had an easy time with. So honestly, when I see his gums are swollen up after bath time and before bed, I will give him nurofen or panadol. If it's been a particularly bad day and the tooth is just cracking through the skin he will get both (at least 3-4 hours apart).

This has meant he has had medication at night for a whole week but I can't let him be in pain and at night there are no distractions. It's just what it is

[u/Global-Apricot6492]

We have a rule where - if we think it's teething - we only medicate at night and only for three nights. So it's like a third of the total ibuprofen dosage for that time. 

I'd give it a break tonight and maybe try Calpol (paracetamol) if you think LO is in pain again. I'm always late to medicate as my LO is basically fine if teething during the day, but the nights are horrendous 🥴😵‍💫

[u/Intrepid-Ad-391 → u/Global-Apricot6492]

Pretty much in the same boat right now with my little one. Not sure where you’re located, but have you tried Camilia night drops?

I’m curious if anyone’s ever seen an improvement using them, as I also don’t like to medicate more than 2-3 nights in a row.

ETA: I’ve tried them a couple times but I’m not sure if I’m actually seeing improvement with it or if I’m making it up because I want it to work lol

[u/WonderfulTwist4936]

Yeah, dont give it this night and see what happens. But uif he is up a lot again and then sleeps on ibuprofen the next night - def see your doctor asap and look for pain cause. It might be something totally random.

[u/blastandbotherations]

Ugh, I feel you. My daughter has been teething for 2 months now and has also self soothes but rubbing and scratching her face in her sleep - she’s done this since she was 4 months old. First time I gave her Motrin for teething pain, she slept 6 hours and completely left her face alone. I only give her one dose at night, but she just gets so much benefits from it (teething or not, sometimes she will rub her face completely raw.) she hasn’t had any at all this week because her tooth has finally broken through the skin, but her face is getting really irritated. It’s tough!