FU to Repost from 0-3-Really need AP sleep advice...

gdemars

So I've been reading Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child today.  And every thing is pointing to DS being put down earlier for the night, that his bedtime routine should be started at 6pm, ESPECIALLY if he's napped crappy that day.  That by the time I lay him down at 730/8 he's already overtired and overstimulated.  The book suggests that this is why he is waking over and over once put down.

This makes sense I guess seeing as he has been taking a nap at 615ish afler he nurses.  I should he putting him to bed then instead of letting him sleep on me, which doesn't last long. 

But my question is, putting him to bed at 6pm basically traps us at home in the evening.  DH has off Sundays and Mondays and we usually go out for dinner at least one if not both nights.  I've been cooped up for 5 nights and NEED to get out to keep my sanity by that point.  Do you think it's ok to keep him out a few days a week?  How do you have any kind of life when your LO goes to bed so early?  On the days that I'm home alone I don't care, but what about those nights that DH is off?  He deserves a little down time too.  Sigh....

teamsweet

I just read your original post and ds is 3 months and still has a late bed time.  It just works for us, so maybe his 6pm thing is really a nap and bedtime for him is better around 9 or 10 - especially if he's sleeping that long once he's down.

 As for evenings out - can you hire a sitter or will he sleep if you wear him while out?  ds won't so we don't go out to dinner anymore - we do things during the day if ds is with us.

 fwiw - I've been keeping a sleep log since ds was 2 months and for us, he generally falls asleep at 9, regardless of how much he's slept that day.  But like your lo, once he's down, he's down (although ds still gets up 2 times a night).  

About him waking 30 minutes later, ds does that if I put him down before 9 (i.e. before his bedtime) even if he falls asleep nursing.  We just start the process again and I don't wait until he cries.  I wait until he starts looking around - if he will go to sleep on his own, he won't open his eyes all the way.  And then I start the sleep routine again - snuggle, story (depending), rock and nurse.  And at that age, I waited 20 minutes after the loose limb test to put him down.

gdemars

teamsweet:

I just read your original post and ds is 3 months and still has a late bed time.  It just works for us, so maybe his 6pm thing is really a nap and bedtime for him is better around 9 or 10 - especially if he's sleeping that long once he's down.

 As for evenings out - can you hire a sitter or will he sleep if you wear him while out?  ds won't so we don't go out to dinner anymore - we do things during the day if ds is with us.

 fwiw - I've been keeping a sleep log since ds was 2 months and for us, he generally falls asleep at 9, regardless of how much he's slept that day.  But like your lo, once he's down, he's down (although ds still gets up 2 times a night).  

About him waking 30 minutes later, ds does that if I put him down before 9 (i.e. before his bedtime) even if he falls asleep nursing.  We just start the process again and I don't wait until he cries.  I wait until he starts looking around - if he will go to sleep on his own, he won't open his eyes all the way.  And then I start the sleep routine again - snuggle, story (depending), rock and nurse.  And at that age, I waited 20 minutes after the loose limb test to put him down.

I'd love if his bedtime was 9 or 10, believe me.  DH and I are night owls as we both are used to working late and sleeping in.  But if I bring DS out after those initial wakings, he's miserable.  Just isn't content with anything. which is why I think he needs the early bedtime. 

As for the sitter, I'd love to but DH feels he's too little still and he doesn't trust anyone.  We don't have any family here either so that adds to the problem.  when we are out  past his bedtime on these nights he's generally still happpy as long as it's noisy and busy with lots to look at. Once we get home at 9/10, he eats and goes right to seep.  Which is why I thuink keeping him out 1 night a week can't hurt.  He usually falls asleep as the entrees come so he's usually asleep by 8/830 anyway even if we ARE out.

I don't know.  I hate to sound selfish about wanting to go out. But it's the one thing we love to do.  I've sacrificed so many other things I'd hate to give that up too.

FYI, DS just woke from  2.5 hour nap.  VERY rare lately.  We'll see what tonight holds.  Fingers crossed...

hikerbeth

Once you get into a basic groove, you should be able to deviate occasionally without problems.

I can't remember exactly when, but sometime during her first year, DD was adaptable to staying out later than usual 1-2 nights per week.  She was also an excellent napper, though.

DS is 5 months and he's still really in the phase where he wants a *bed* when he's done for the night.  He's not much of a napper, so he really needs that time in bed at night.  Very occasionally we have kept him out later (ie: a street festival where he could nap in the stroller), but it's nothing I can do regularly, yet.

gdemars

So he was down at 6:30 after our usual routine and exactly 30 min later he woke up.  I soothed him back down and he was up 15 min later.  Soothed, up.  He finally fell back asleep nursing.  Hopefully this is it for the night.

meg1974

I agree with the sleep books that early bed time is a good idea. But, I think 6 pm is a little too early. DD goes to bed at 7:30 and wakes up around 7:30 - 8:30 am and has been doing that for a while. 

As far as doing things after he goes to bed, can you get a babysitter?  

HikerBride07

DD went to bed for the night at 5:30 until she was almost 9 months old.  It's not "convenient" but sleep is one of the most important things for babies.  It's just a short term sacrifice that is necessary.  She still goes to bed at 7 or 7:30.

Can you or your DH pick up carryout and have a picnic in your living room or find some other new special routine for dinner?