Poor sleeper

jdb04d

I have a 7 week old who is giving us so much trouble with sleep. I wish I knew how to put him to sleep, but I don't. I see his cues - and will immediately try to help him fall asleep, and he will fall asleep in my arms (sometimes) but the minute I put him down he wakes up. We were up with him for 6 hours last night, finally rocking him in the RNP for an hour with the hair dryer on did the trick. I'm willing to cosleep with him as well - but he doesn't even go down that way sometimes! Anyone else have a poor sleeper?? Will this get better?

[Deleted User]

jdb04d said:

I have a 7 week old who is giving us so much trouble with sleep. I wish I knew how to put him to sleep, but I don't. I see his cues - and will immediately try to help him fall asleep, and he will fall asleep in my arms (sometimes) but the minute I put him down he wakes up. We were up with him for 6 hours last night, finally rocking him in the RNP for an hour with the hair dryer on did the trick. I'm willing to cosleep with him as well - but he doesn't even go down that way sometimes! Anyone else have a poor sleeper?? Will this get better?

I read happiest baby on the block and the five s really do help. I also have a white noise app on my phone that I can set on a timer and just lay it on the nightstand behind lo and set it for 20 min. Its been a lifesaver

jdb04d

Thanks for the feedback. The 5s's will work for me until I put him down - then no bueno. And we have the white noise app too - ..still nothing

jdb04d

In answer to your question - yes he's never been easy to put to sleep, it just feels like it's gotten worse these past few days.

And the only thing I haven't tried is the heating pad (mainly haven't tried it due to laziness) but I think that's next.

JamieCallow

We have been having the same issue and find that swaddling really helps. LO is almost 5 weeks and whenever I try putting him down after falling asleep in my arms he wakes up screaming. I think it is because he throws his arms out and wakes himself. The swaddle prevents him from doing it and I actually get to sleep in the bed with my husband with LO in the PnP:) Good luck!!!

AlisonM12

We are currently trying to teach DS to fall asleep on her own in her crib. We swaddle, dim the lights, feed and before she falls asleep completely put her in her crib. A lot of the time tilting her to her side a tad and rubbing her back and sushing will put her to sleep. Usually she rolls back to her back on her own but if not we just tap her to get her on her back. Then she keeps moving her legs like crazy and making noises so if she seems to be doing that too long we go back to rubbing and sushing. Eventually she stays asleep. Maybe try the back rubbing and sushing along with the heating pad?

AlisonM12

kellykinns said:

I have never been able to put down my son while he's drowsy but awake in anything that doesn't move.  If he's going to sleep in the RNP he has to be asleep in my arms first.  Or we can usually rock him in the RNP to sleep.  He now naps during the day either in his swing or in the car seat while we are out running errands.  I had been trying to put him down for day time naps but that can often be a losing battle, and honestly, I'm tired of losing battles.  I'm just doing what works at this point. 

Is there a secret to the drowsy but awake business?  At night he's already swaddled, he doesn't seem to care one way or the other about white noise... he refuses a pacifier... maybe he just needs to mature some.

I can tell when she's drowsy but awake when she's pretty much fighting closing her eyes.. Usually putting her in a milk coma gets us to this point.

Littlemama01

With my son I can tell he's ready for sleep when his blinks become long and slow, and he gets an eyes glazed over kind of look. Then I put him in his crib, or pnp depending on where I am in the house and use a sleep sheep or white noise. I have to walk away so he can't see me, and then I wait. Also I let him fuss a little, I don't go grab him the second he fusses. Full on crying I do go get him but I find he can settle himself if he's just fussing a bit. Also I find he sometimes sleepcries...so even if he does cry, I check him and wait and see if it becomes serious before presenting myself. Often I just stick his soother back in and leave him again. I do think not all babies fall asleep this way though. But with mine the constant rocking, or swinging actually prevents a quality nap rather than helps it.

[Deleted User]

I find the drowsy but awake thing to be key. If he falls asleep in my arms he wakes up when I move him probably due I the temperature change. I also want him to be able to put himself back to

This^ we just started putting him down when he is just drowsy and letting him stir until he passes out. Also found when he wakes himself up if I don't go over right away he will fuss a little them pass out. Swaddling is still key for us as well!