Fighting day sleeps - HELP!
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Topic: Fighting day sleeps - HELP!
Posted By: Joscia
Subject: Fighting day sleeps - HELP!
Date Posted: 15 September 2009 at 12:02pm
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DS (15 weeks) has, in the last 5 days starting fighting his day sleeps.
He had a really good pattern going until then - 1 hr awake, then 45mins to an hour asleep. Since Thursday he has been battling me over these, and taking between 1 and 2.5 hours to settle  - then only sleeping for 40 mins or so. Yesterday he only had 2 x 40 min naps.
I'm still wrapping him - usually with one arm out so he can suck his thumb - but have resorted to both arms in (like he is at night) - doesn't seem to be making any difference. He was always in the lounge (light, noise etc) in his hammock for day sleeps - have just tried moving him back into the bedroom with the blinds shut - but again, not helping. I've tried using the hair dryer for white noise - which will stop him screaming, but doesn't make him sleep. Even when he stops crying, and I go and check him, he's more often than not just lying there with his eyes open. Before starting up again. I check him every few minutes; pat and shush; rock / bounce his hammock; and get him up when he gets really agitated to soothe him - then he seems fine - happy and smiley, but as soon as I put him back down he starts up again. He's clearly tired - when I put him down yesterday (prior to the 2.5hr battle) he'd fallen asleep in his car seat - so I don't really think it's a case of keeping him awake longer than I am. And surely he should be knackered after screaming for 40 mins!? He doesn't settle in the sling if I just wear him around the house - we have to go out for a walk. And I'd really rather try and solve this at home rather than resorting to putting him in the sling / pram / car and taking him out... So, has anyone got any magical tips?? I'm getting more than a little frustrated!
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Replies:
Posted By: QHX
Date Posted: 15 September 2009 at 6:03pm
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Have you tried rescue remedy? Sometimes when my DD would get too wound up to see the wood from the trees I would massage a little into her temples and wrists and/or put a few drops into the bath. For us it seemed to take the edge off and give a little breathing room, IYKWIM |
Posted By: AandCsmum
Date Posted: 15 September 2009 at 6:25pm
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Sometimes that nap in the car is a killer.....have you tried shortening his up time down to 45 mins? You might be just missing his tired signs.
Also seems that he's waking in a sleep cycle. Can you watch the clock & see if you can resettle him mid sleep when he's about to stir? If he's in the hammock start to swing it & see if he's carry on sleeping. ------------- Kel http://lilypie.com"> 
A = 01.02.04 & C = 16.01.09 & G = 30.03.12 |
Posted By: SpecialK
Date Posted: 16 September 2009 at 8:30am
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Hi Joscia, we have just been through the very same thing!! According to plunket, a lot of babies change their patterns around 4 months.
After trying different things for a few weeks, this is what ultimately worked for us: I put Harry into a 4 hour feeding routine, so he feeds at 6am, 10am, 2pm, 6pm and 10pm and has 3 naps instead of 4. I keep him up for longer - 1.5 to 2 hours and to bed at first sign of tiredness. This was tricky as his tired signs got less obvious and also often he can be distracted. I wrap him, just under the arms, give him a cuddle and put him to sleep either in the buggy or the bassinet (both can be rocked). He doesn't need much rocking now, just a wee bit to help him go to sleep. If he wakes up and screams I know he is still tired and resettle him. I know it's not ideal putting him to sleep in the pram, but in the end it was the only way I could get him into a routine so I'm going with whatever works at the moment!! I really feel for you, I know how frustrating it is, especially when you can see bub is tired and just won't sleep!! ------------- http://lilypie.com">  http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: Pinkygirl
Date Posted: 17 September 2009 at 12:14pm
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I have been having the sane problem. DS is just over 4 months old and I find it harder to pick out his tired signs. I put him to bed this morning and I came in and he was playing with his mobile above his cot. He has just found out that he can reach up and touch it, so that was quickly taken away. I then reosrted to pushing him over the mat on our wooden floor, with blankets over the buggy so it is darkish. He is now (cross fingers) fast asleep.
Even a walk around the block does it I took DS for a walk as he was so tired he was asleep before we got onto the foot path |