Napping issues: I think I've coddled my baby too much

SDuodu

My DD is 8 weeks old after her bottle she used to want to pretty much knock out so I would just put her in her cot and she'd fall asleep but now it's not working anymore she just cries and cries I put her on my chest, I lay her beside me, I change her nappy, I sing to her and I play with her to tire her out more but still she cries and I can see she's tired but she just won't sleep. Do I leave her to cry it out in her cot? Anyone have tips?

millereliz13

Cry it out is not appropriate for this age. Have you tried a pacifier and swaddling? My son wants his pacifier and to be held. We rock in my recliner a lot too.

SDuodu

I've tried a pacifier it doesn't work and I've tried rocking her too I tend not to swaddle her because she doesn't like her arms being restricted at all

lmetters88

She may be dealing with gas. We use Little Remedies about 4 times per day. When you are standing and rocking her, try patting her bottom because that also helps with gas and soothes the baby. Also make sure you are getting a burp out after her feeds. The only other thing I can think of is to check her poop and make sure she isn't dealing with a protein intolorance. My LO is 10 weeks on Sunday and I've had to cut all dairy, soy, nuts, eggs and gluten from my diet. Now she is a much happier baby but still a bit gassy.

SDuodu

@imetters88 thank you I'll try that

dchiapella

I thought I was alone on this! My nearly 8 week old sleeps GREAT at night but refuses to nap during the day! Keep us posted if you find b a solution!

chein1

I agree with it may be gas. My LO sometimes gets overtired and the only way to settle her is white noise. I have the Sleep Pillow app on my phone. I downloaded the free version in case LO didn't like it. She loves the rain sound. Running the vacuum works too haha

ElleMF728

What you were doing was working because LO was an infant and sleeping like an infant.  Now comes BABY sleep which is a whole different thing.  Babies are picky and finicky, babies need a lot more soothing because as their brains develop they start sleeping differently.  Just laying a baby down (even with a clean diaper and full belly) doesn't usually lead to sleep because they genuinely don't know how.  They need us to soothe them to sleep through rocking, bouncing, nursing whatever it is that works for your LO.  White noise, swaddles, sleepsuits, swings, bouncers are all totally within reason for the next few weeks until you can get some sort of routine established.  Most babies this age need to be soothed to sleep and then laid down.  We don't even start trying to do drowsy but awake until 3 months old. As PP stated, CIO methods are not recommended until 6 months of age. 

midge519

My LO will be 8 weeks tomorrow and for the last four days his sleep has gone to crap. He's slightly warm to the touch but doesn't have a fever. I was thinking maybe he has a cold that isn't actually showing but gah he's a completely different baby. He refuses to nap during the day, cries most of his awake time, and has very broken sleep at night again. He has his 2 month check up Monday and I am going to address it there but it's nice to know this is the norm. I don't remember my other two children doing this so I've been lost at what's wrong.

Edit
I also noticed he used to poop once a day or every other day but if he doesn't poop today it will be 3 days without :-(

ElleMF728

I also want to point out that there is a wonder week that occurs around 8 weeks which may be the cause of some of the fussiness that Mom's are pointing out.  Its completely normal that LO will nurse more and want more cuddling during these developmental growth periods.  

SDuodu

@ElleMF728 thank you this was very helpful

Kristyhana

I've found that when my son is very cranky and over tired I put him on my shoulder and use a firm patting on the bottom along with shushing and swaying and he's out like a light in just a couple minutes. A pacifier helps too.

ElleMF728

@Sduodu Check out preciouslittlesleep.com from some great ideas and tips about baby sleep.  DH and I follow most of her 0-3 month and 3-6 month guidelines pretty closely and have a lot of success.  Baby sleep is tough but you may find some great methods that work for you and LO so that you can both be a little more comfortable.  I'm a big believer in "trying", I always try to put DS down in his pack n play and we "try" drowsy but awake but I only give him a few minutes.  If its not working that night then we switch to something that does and we all get a little more sleep.  Good luck! LO will figure it out soon, hopefully its just a leap and in a few days she may be back to normal.  

SDuodu

@ElleMF728 thanks you've been very helpful