3 Month Old Sleep Issues

Updated on April 21, 2010
L.D. asks from Joliet, IL
13 answers

My 3 month old has been sleeping through the night and napping during the day swaddled but is now breaking out of EVERY swaddle device/blanket we can find. My doctor said its time to stop the swaddling but now she is not sleeping more than 6 hours at night and hardly at all during the day. She is SOOOOO tired and cries most of the evening now. What should I do and how do I break her of the swaddle

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So What Happened?

thanks for the advice....she has gotten out of the velcro swaddleme blankets and the last straw was when she got out of the miracle blanket! We are just getting over the colicky phase so to start the crying in the evening again is sooo frustrating. I had about a 2 week break..I guess I will just stick with it for now. Thanks to all

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J.S.

answers from Dallas on

I had this problem with my son. Try swaddling just from her chest down. This worked for my son, it worked until about 4 1/2 months. It helps them from kicking themselves awake. Good Luck, just remember this to shall pass and things will get better.

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D.W.

answers from Indianapolis on

Our kids naturally broke themselves of wanting to be swaddled. Our son loved it, our daughter never really wanted to be.

Have you tried putting her in her swing, bouncy seat, etc. to take her naps during the day? That was the trick for us with both kids. They preferred that enclosed kind of environment and the motion.

The car was always a good thing for us - I'm convinced it's because I likely drove 30,000 miles during each pregnancy, and they liked the sound of the car's engine.

Just remember that at 3 months, your baby still completely runs on instinct. She doesn't know that she should be doing things differently and is simply communicating in the only way she knows how to tell you what she needs is different than what she's getting.

Good luck! The next few months are SO much fun!

1 mom found this helpful

J.J.

answers from Fort Walton Beach on

6hrs a night is great for a 3month old!!! Even if her sleep pattern was better, her brain is processing new things every day, therefore more awakenings. I never swaddled so I can't really relate to breaking the habbit, but for napping I used to use my wrap and walk around w/ him if nursing didn't help.

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M.W.

answers from Kansas City on

You are lucky to get six hours from yours at night, I can barely get three! She also did not like being swaddled and got out of it all the time. SHe may just not like her hands to be stuck by her side, as mine did. She sleeps better when I just let her sleep with no blanket. I also got a bear that has womb sounds and it has helped also. It was only like $20 at Babies R Us. If it's not a feeding issue (as mine is), I would say give that a shot and maybe that would help her to settle down to sleep. Good luck!

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A.B.

answers from Chicago on

Try singing to them and playing either a nature sounds or a lullaby song. That may calm her down to do to sleep by herself or you can even try the vacuum.

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D.W.

answers from Gainesville on

Ahhhh, you are to the age of the "witching hour" in the evenings. Very common with the little ones. Why they call it an hour I'll never know. Last longer than that.

She is also probably going thru a growth spurt. All difficult things for the little ones. Just keep up the routine that you have hopefully established because that's how she learns what to do and what is expected. It also provides comfort and security.

Try using a swaddle blanket for her size that has velcro closures. They sell them at BabiesRUs. Try leaving her arms out.

And 6 hours at night is pretty darn good for 3 months old!

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J.F.

answers from Chicago on

Have you tried putting her on her belly? My son is 6 months old but when he was first born he hated being on his back swaddled or not he would always shudder himself awake. My Mother In Law came to visit one day and put him on the couch on his belly and he slept like a champ.
If you do give this a try be sure to have her wear comfy, but not loose fitting clothes so they won't be a hazzard to her breathing and don't leave any loose blankets/toys in the crib that she could suffocate on. I hope this helps!
blessings,
J.

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C.S.

answers from Dallas on

My daughter never liked to be swaddled. She was escaping from day one. I think that it is a comfort issue. Just like some people have to stick one foot out of the blankets at night, while someone else wants to wear socks. I always made sure that she was in a long sleeve/footed onsie to sleep with a light blanket over her. The less fussing I did over her sleeping habits, the longer and better she seemed to sleep. Also a "strict" schedule helped us. Just trying to hit the same feeding times/nap times each day did wonders for her willingness to sleep at that age. Oh, and I woke her up right before I was ready to go to bed to feed. This got me a few more hours. She was sleeping through the night (11ish - 6 am) by 4 months.
Good luck!!

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C.K.

answers from Chicago on

I kept my son swaddled until 9 months old and my daughter until about 6,. they both loved it! My MIL made me flannel blankets that were much larger than the cheap, small blankets available at the store. Very easy to do. Try getting a larger piece of flannel and swaddling your little one.

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C.F.

answers from Chicago on

I haven't read the responses, but my advice is to get The Woombie. We started with the Miracle Blanket and then moved to The Woombie when my daughter was 4 months old. Within 8 weeks she was in a normal sleep sack (arms free). Now that it is warmer out she doesn't even wear anything (she's 7 months). I HIGHLY recommend The Woombie. Google it for the website.

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J.R.

answers from Miami on

I agree with the below. 6 hours is great!!!! For additional ideas, try skimming Harvey Karp's "Happiest Baby on the Block" or Pantley's "No Cry Sleep Solution". At this early age, I also sometimes let my LO fall asleep in my arms...

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R.M.

answers from Chicago on

I also have a 3 mo. old.

6 hours of sleep is pretty good but if you want to keep her swaddled you can try the Woombie.

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