5 Mos Old and Napping

I don't think it is much different for them to fall asleep being rocked or fall asleep at the breast. In either case, they are going to be upset when they realize they have been laid down. They were in such a warm and comfortable place, not to mention very safe and loving. My problem with allowing them to sleep like this is that it really does lead to getting nothing done around the house. I've had a lot of babies in my time as a provider as well as my own. Night isn't so bad because they are wore out by then and are not going to have the energy to fight you. Some babies don't really need as much sleep during the day. At least, they think they don't. I am afraid that sometimes all we can do during the day is let them cry it out.

My grandson, now just 2 months old today, is starting to become hopelessly spoiled in this way. His mother will not put him down during the day and when she needs to do something she just hands him off to one of us. If we put him down she will rush through whatever she was doing and sit with him again. So by the end of the day when she goes to work, he's bellowing the second I try and do anything but sit with him.

I wouldn't worry too much about the burping at 5 months. It's been my experience by then that their body will take care of that on their own. My best guess is that this is all about wanting to sleep in your arms during the day.

It really won't take many days of just making it clear it's naptime. Once you put her in that crib, don't go back, don't get her up, don't talk to her. Just let it be whatever happens. Last night I let my grandson cry it out for just a few minutes on the floor. He didn't even fall asleep. He just decided that I wasn't coming back, stopped screaming and started smiling and looking around. I had another 30 minutes or so of him being happy as a lark before he started demanding I pick him up, which I happily did at that point.

There are no easy answers with these little ones. What works today, may not work next week. The best thing you can do is stay flexible, try a few different things, pray about it, and when you decide you've tried it all, pick one and stick with it...at least for a few weeks! LOL. Then they give you something new to guess about.

Suzi

I would keep her awake while she is nursing so that you can get the burp out of her...that's probably why she is waking up wailing...it probably burns and could lead to acid reflux...tickle her toes, talk to her, use a noisemaker of some sort to keep her attention while she is nursing, even strip her. Once she's done, then I would work on the getting her down for a nap...I liked using a swing or rocking my kids...a lot of people will say don't because they will get used to it but pffft! They are only this age once and they will only sit in your lap for so long...enjoy the ride for as long as you can! ;)

I would suggest feeding her before she is tired so maybe she will stay awake at the breast. That way maybe she will burp and then you can put her down in her crib awake for nap.sounds like she is either waking up because she needs to burp or she wakes up and realizes that she is no longer at the breast where she fell asleep.

J., I know it's tough, but let her cry. You've just fed her, so you know she's not hungry, put her down and walk away. They learn VERY quickly that they can maniputale Mom/Dad, whomever, to pick them up. Crying it out will not hurt her. Letting her learn again how to soothe herself to sleep will benefit both of you for years to come, the sooner the better.

Good Luck, M.

Good Morning J., I would wake her up if she falls asleep while nursing, Burp her then, get her to finish, burp her again, then put her down. We had to do this with Zane for a while.

I didn't read other responses, so I hope I am not all wet...lol

God Bless you
K. Nana of 5

Hi J.,

When she cries, try to pick her up and burp her.. that is probably what is waking her. She might fall asleep on your shoulder after you burped her.. just rub her back softly or pat it softly till she relaxes.. when she is fast asleep then try move her slowly, holding your hand to support her back and head..so she does not feel the transition.

good luck