Dreading naps... (longish)

kimisuejoia

I'm really starting to dread nap/sleep times.

L was doing pretty well, then started waking every hour at night and the only thing that would calm him was a bottle. He wouldn't eat much before he feel asleep, then he'd wake an hour later and keep snacking and repeat it all night. I figured it was the four month wakeful and just lived with it.

Then we went on a week camping trip where it was still cold enough at night that he slept with dh and I so we could keep him warm enough. He didn't nap very well during the day because there was so much going on and it was light out, but he slept great at night only waking once around 2 or 3 am to eat and going right back to sleep.

Now that we are home again, he is *ticked* at being back in his crib! The minute I walk into his room he starts crying and it has been taking 45 mins+ to get him to calm down and fall asleep. EVERY.SINGLE.TIME. I dread nap times because he is so upset and since the only thing that quiets him is a bottle he has been falling asleep with a bottle in his mouth every time.

Earlier this week I re-read Babywise and decided to try the eat, play, sleep routine to see if that would help. The first day was amazing! He went right down, fussed for a minute or two- never got to an actual cry, then went right to sleep. Since then he has rebelled and it is worse than before.

We are now on day three and I'm torn- should I keep trying to see if he will get on the routine? Should I scrap it and try some other sleep method? Has anyone had sucess with any sleep training method?

HELP!

daisydana

kimisuejoia:

The minute I walk into his room he starts crying and it has been taking 45 mins+ to get him to calm down and fall asleep. EVERY.SINGLE.TIME. 

How long would it take him to fall asleep in your arms? Instead if 45 minutes of dealing with the aftermath, maybe you could try to get him asleep *before* going into his room. I still rock/walk Sydney to sleep in another part of the house (the magic hallway). That way, I put her in her crib asleep (she does usually wake momentarily, but some pats get her right back). She would be the same way if she *knew* it was sleepy-time.

Good luck!

 

kimisuejoia

I've been trying this at night for the last two nights. I'll take him out of his crib, give him a bottle, snuggle and rock him to sleep- but the minute I try to lay him down he starts screaming again! Doesn't matter how asleep he was 20 seconds before, he's wide awake the moment he hits the mattress.

daisydana

Maybe the temperature difference between your arms and the mattress? Maybe someone else has a suggestion about how to transition easier. Sydney feels the difference, but she just goes with it. Some babies are more sensitive

 

jarbatz

Once he's asleep, how long do you rock him?  I have read that you need to rock LO at least 15-20 to get them through the first sleep cycle.  I don't rock B that long anymore but I do wait until her eyes stop moving and she is breathing is steady rhythm before putting her down. 

Will he sleep in the swing maybe? 

If B is really fighting it, I will also leave her room and walk in the hallway and other bedrooms.   She definitely knows when we go into her room and its dark, that sleepy time is coming next. 

robynlesley

I had issues with sleep after we went on a trip (stayed in hotels, but still was away) in April when Aaron was nearly 8 months old. It took about 2 weeks to get him back into his "pre-trip" groove.

Aaron has always fought naps.  He falls asleep on his own (in his crib, inhis room, which is dark) with no problem at night?but naps... not easy.

First off... do you put your DS down at the same time?  If he's fighting for 45 minutes, could it be that he's not tired yet?  OR perhaps put him down earlier because you've waited too long and he's already overtired? 

I'm not going to say anything about rocking to nap, because I still do that (only way that works when DS is at work with me and I NEED him to sleep) but I think you need to try either putting him down earlier (or getting him ready to nap earlier) or later since he's consistently fighting it. And how is he sleeping at night?

I wish I had better suggestions for you. Good luck!

kimisuejoia

robynlesley:

First off... do you put your DS down at the same time?  If he's fighting for 45 minutes, could it be that he's not tired yet?  OR perhaps put him down earlier because you've waited too long and he's already overtired?

It is not always the same time, but it is at the first sign of sleepiness (yawning or rubbing eyes usually). I do think he gets overtired easy, but he wont go down earlier!

Piranha54

Ugh - no fun for mommy or baby.  I agree with what Robyn said - sounds like LO could be overtired before you're trying to nap.  While I watched for the signs of drowsiness, I also found these guidelines useful - don't remember where they came from but I saved a while back.  Guidelines though - DD's almost 7 months, but if I kept her up for 3 hours, I'd have a big, hot baby mess on my hands

GL 

Guideline for Awake time for babies
Newborn 50-60 mins
1 month 60 mins-hour and 15
2 months 1 hour and 15 - 20 mins
3 months 1 hour and 20 - 30 mins
4 months 1 hour and 45 - 2 hours
5 months 2 hours - 2.25 hours
Late 5 months/early 6 months 2.25-2.5 hours
6.5 - 7 months 2.75-3 hours. Some are getting more.
8 - 10 months 3 - 4 hours. Some are getting more.
11 - 12 months 3.5 -4.5 hours. Some are getting more if moved early to 1 nap 

ETA: This time includes diaper changes, feeding, playing, and the amount of time it takes the baby to fall asleep! etc. 

kimisuejoia

Piranha54:

ETA: This time includes diaper changes, feeding, playing, and the amount of time it takes the baby to fall asleep! etc. 

Good to know! Maybe I'll try putting him down based on time (rather than sleep cues) for a couple days and see if it makes any difference.

I *know* he is overtired by the time he falls asleep, I just dont know how to fix it... We have been watching for the first sign of sleepiness to put him down, but maybe its too late at that point.

I'd guess that his first nap of the morning fits into those time frames, but I know the rest dont. We'll try adjusting a little to see how he does!