Ignoring sleep cues

E_sharp · November 2009

I am wondering if I should start. That last couple of days, I've been taking him upstairs to nurse him to sleep for a nap as soon as I see him rub his eyes. But then he messes around for 45 minutes or more sometimes, playing with his feet, pulling off, latching on, pulling off. I gave up after an hour, and then half an hour later, when he was actually getting abit cranky, then I went upstairs again, he latched on, and passed out, right away.
I am starting to think that I need to wait until he starts getting cranky, rather than putting him down as soon as I see the first sleep cue (which totally contradicts NCSS).

The_Spanish_Inquisition · November 2009

Putting him down at the first sleep cue never worked for us, either. He just wasn't tired enough. I'd usually wait until he started to fuss a little, then try it.

Almost always worked, but I really had to be on top of it or he'd go from fuss to meltdown in a split second, and then it was really difficult to calm him down.

E_sharp · November 2009

Yeah, I think T is the same way. I think I might try waiting for him to get a bit cranky and then get him to nap asap.

freeburger16 · November 2009

The_Spanish_Inquisition:
Putting him down at the first sleep cue never worked for us, either. He just wasn't tired enough. I'd usually wait until he started to fuss a little, then try it.

Almost always worked, but I really had to be on top of it or he'd go from fuss to meltdown in a split second, and then it was really difficult to calm him down.

this is what worked for us too. When he starts to get tired I give him his paci and we do some quiet play - books, listen to music, etc. 15-30 minutes later we go nurse and he goes in his crib awake and (usually) falls right to sleep!

webMistress0609 · November 2009

The first sleepy cue is the signal to wind down for us. DS will go down anywhere from 15-45 minutes after the first cue - it depends on the time of day.

angelynn8411 · November 2009

that's too funny! i was about to post something about this myself. now that she is older, and able to put herself to sleep, it actually helps if i let her fuss for a couple of mins, then go rock her and put her down drowsy. she goes out in like 30 secs if i do this.

Chrysallys · November 2009

The_Spanish_Inquisition:

Putting him down at the first sleep cue never worked for us, either. He just wasn't tired enough. I'd usually wait until he started to fuss a little, then try it.

Almost always worked, but I really had to be on top of it or he'd go from fuss to meltdown in a split second, and then it was really difficult to calm him down.

This is exactly Sebastian. He'll play around, kick, and latch and unlatch if I don't wait until he starts to get cranky.