Bedtime Problems

CCM82909

DS has been a great little one at going down at the same time every night since we started a routine (i.e. book, bath, change into pjs, and rocking).  However, the past few nights have been absolutely crazy and not like him whatsoever.  He usually starts to show signs of sleepiness at 7:30 and is in bed by 8:00. The past few nights he drinks his usual 6 oz of formula before bed, rubs his eyes, and falls asleep in my arms. As soon as I put him down in the crib, he thinks it's party time, wakes up completely, and starts flailing arms and legs. He will continue to do this pattern until about 10:30 or even 11:00, at which time DH or I give up and put him in his swing to fall asleep.  Any ideas as to what is going on?  Could this be a growth spurt or something?

bjfilly

My guess is a growth spurt. We're having sleep issues also. My DS used to be a beautiful sleeper. At least 11 hours every night, but for the last 2 weeks he wakes up at least twice. Ugh hopefully this will pass. 

lkm2006

Andrew definitely went through a late night spurt.  He would do that exact same thing, go to sleep with me and then wake up and acted like it was just a nap.

I won't lie, it was brutal.  We have always had a bedtime routine but I tried being really strict but I couldn't find anything that worked so maybe someone else has better suggestions.  

It doesn't last forever though!  As quick as it came on, it ended and now I have my sanity back

CCM82909

I sure hope so.  DS has never STTN, although I consider it lucky that he only wakes up 1 to 2 times a night compared to how he used to be. So the extra 2 hours (going to bed at 8 instead of 10:30 or so) gives me some "me time" and extra sleep.

smilelari

Any number of things could be going on.  Motion sleep isn't the greatest, but if the swing is where he'/s ending up, why not just start there?

kajordan09

What about pushing up his bedtime a little earlier? Eye rubbing is usually a late sign of sleepiness. You might be missing his window of sleep.

CCM82909

kajordan09:

What about pushing up his bedtime a little earlier? Eye rubbing is usually a late sign of sleepiness. You might be missing his window of sleep.

 We tried pushing it up to 7pm, and even tried 7:30 after a few attempts.  He will sleep until about 8 and think wakes up alert and ready to party.  It's almost as if he thinks that going to bed at 7/7:30 is a nap and needs to be awake for 2 hours or so until he is ready to go down again.

We were lucky last night after I wrote this post.  He fought with us for a little while until about 9:30 or so. I let him cry for a few minutes, then picked him up and told him it was bedtime.  He fell asleep immediately and didn't wake up until 6 am (first time getting over 6 hours in a row!) Hopefully we can have some luck in the sleep department tonight, but have him be able to go to sleep at his normal bedtime.