fearing the 4 month wakeful

MagsMayMommy · September 2012

DD has never been a consistent napper though decent with bed time, but this week has been different. The only way I can get her to fall asleep is walking while nursing her. Otherwise she's coming off and on, crying, and making some pretty disturbing sounds while nursing. In addition to making grunting/fussy noises, she's started this inhaling sound that sounds like she's hyperventilating (though her facial expression remains the same and her nose and everything is clear). She puts on a pleasant face for company or if we're out of the house, but at home she's been a tired little grump! I feel bad for her. I knew she was particularly tired today so I decided to just hold and nurse her for as long as she would sleep (she's a light sleeper and will not stay asleep long if she's not being held/nursed)... she ended up napping for over 5 hours only waking to quickly nurse (about 4 or 5 times). Night time has become increasingly difficult as well. I'd not be opposed to holding/nursing all day if there was nothing else that needed to be done and my body didn't get stiff, but grocery shopping, cooking, laundry, etc are still my responsibility. Babywearing only seems to satisfy her if she can nurse at the same time (I'm not so good at this with my Ergo yet). Does this sound like the 4 month wakeful? If so, how did/would you deal with it?

Izybel18 · September 2012

It does sound like the 4 month wakeful. For me, DD's entire 4th month was pretty bad. Literally the day she turned 4 mons. she stopped napping in her swing and still only naps in the Ergo or the car. She was also up every 1 1/2-2 hours at night. I took the approach of "whatever works, do it" just to survive. You might try working with nap times (earlier, later, etc.) to see if that helps. Make sure she's nursing effectively instead of looking around and that may cut down on the marathon sessions.

tina924 · September 2012

I haven't heard of the 4 month wakeful, but OMG is explains a lot!

MagsMayMommy · September 2012

I'm beginning to think teething may have something to do with her sleeplessness.

pixieprincss · September 2012

It certainly could be! It was around that age that I started doing "nursing yoga" otherwise known as learning to nurse with both you and baby laying down (which can require some odd positioning). Once DS1 would fall asleep nursing, I would lay there for 15 solid minutes. After that, I would move away one muscle fiber at a time, freezing and resting if he stirred at all. Eventually it didn't take the whole 15 minutes--I could sense his depth of sleep more easily plus he got more used to his new "adult" sleeping pattern of light then deep sleep.

twocents6708 · September 2012

pixieprincss:
It certainly could be! It was around that age that I started doingnbsp;"nursing yoga" otherwise known as learning to nurse with both you and baby laying down which can require some odd positioning. Once DS1 would fall asleep nursing, I would lay there for 15 solid minutes. After that, I would move away one muscle fiber at a time, freezing and resting if he stirred at all. Eventually it didn't take the whole 15 minutesI could sense his depth of sleep more easily plus he got more used to his newnbsp; "adult" sleeping pattern of light then deep sleep.

This. I too started to lie down and nurse I help DD sleep at this age. Poor sleeping started for us at 4 months as well.

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fearing the 4 month wakeful

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