Our daughter will be four months old in a few days. Up until a week ago, she has been a model baby... a great eater, sleeper, and generally pretty happy. All of a sudden she is having a very hard time getting to sleep and staying asleep both during the day for naps and at night. A week ago, I would lay her down with a pacifier and she would be out in ten minutes or less. Now she is refusing to take it and ends up getting overly tired from crying for so long before I can finally get her to sleep and then she rarely sleeps for long. We have been experimenting with different things such as where she sleeps and how often, since this problem started but haven't had much luck. Any ideas, as far as why this might be happening and what we can do to help her?
Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child by Dr. Marc Weissbluth. It worked wonders for all three of my kids.
Good luck!
Welcome to motherhood! Just when you think you got it figured out...BAM...they go changing and you are back to square one not knowing what you are doing...and believe me when I say this will happen when you have more kids, they are all different! Good luck! My kids all took pacifiers...better than the thumb! All kids go through sleeplessness...it will get better..I hope!
same thing happened to my daughter...most likely teething or did he learn to roll over? sit? new milestones mess up their sleeping...and mine is still having troubles at night and she is far older! be thankful you got 4 months of sleep!
Smart moms already have posted what I was thinking :-) but I'll agree. 4 months is a transition time for sleeping - it's when a lot of sleep experts say is a good time to start sleep training, and my babies both had changes around that time. Also, the teething thing. One of my babies got his first tooth around 3 months, and even for kids on a more average tooth schedule, teeth seem to hurt forever before they actually appear. And the pacifier is a clue that might point to teething - sometimes suction seems to hurt a new tooth coming in. Maybe try a teether instead and see what happens?
It also sounds like she might be a little overtired when you put her down. Make sure you put her down for a nap before she looks tired. When I waited until my kids seemed sleepy, they would always fight sleep.
Best sleep wishes!
My daughter is 6 months old now but we had bizarre sleeping issues for her first 5 months. Starting with nightly crying sessions that lasted 1-3 hours and when she starting sleeping through the night, she gave up naps almost completely for a month. Once you eliminate tummy issues (we had a problem with hyperlactation) the two main areas to focus on are consistent schedule and going with what works.
I spent 2 weeks just holding her at nap time (she refused to be put down in the crib for naps) so she would get accustomed to sleeping in the morning and afternoon. There was also a period where she would only sleep in her car seat. In the livingroom. With Nora Jones playing. Once she was consistent with sleeping times, we slowly started moving her to the crib. Now at 6 months, she goes down twice a day for naps without problem.
The night thing I got advice early on to establish a routine as early as possible and it was the best advice I got. She eats dinner at the same time, has a little play time, gets a bath or wipe down, 1-3 books (yes as early as 4 months we were doing this - pick one where you sing to keep their attention) and the final feeding in a dark quiet room. With few blips she has been sleeping through the night since 14 weeks.
Keep in mind some kids just have phases and there is nothing you can do except wait it out.Good Luck!!
Please try 'Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child'. You don't have to do the cry it out part. Just read it for the knowledge of a babies sleep needs, and a sample schedule. I didn't realize it, but I let my little guys get overtired and this was a big problem. Their sleep need change around four months and I didn't realize it.
She could just be more aware. When my daughter realized that the pacifier comforted her to sleep, she no longer wanted it, but she didn't want to sleep!
Hi C., I work at a day care! I can try to help. There are many reasons why she won't sleep. Are you breastfeeding? Are you drinking caffine? Some times they smell mom and get comfortable and fall a sleep. Rock her to sleep with music on until she is in a deep sleep. Some babies have to sleep in a moving swing. just cuddle her. A babies cry could mean a wet diaper or dirty diaper. Gas in her tummy. We do use at the day care with permission with parents use gas drops works wonders. Some times formula gives them gas and they hurt. try this it won;t hurt her. Good Luck! S.
This is the perfect age for those first teeth. Not all babies like to chew on things when they teeth. I would check for new ones coming in. If this is the case, you could try Little Teethers ointment. It helped my daughter when those first popped up. Also, a cold water ring or even just a cold wet cloth helps.
Have you considered the possibility that she may be teething? My son started teething at 2 1/2 months, and his personality changed ever so slightly due to the discomfort.
Hyland's Teething Tablets - in fact the whole Hyland's Kid's Kit (available at Walgreens) have been a lifesaver. They work so much better than anything else, and I STILL find great uses for everything in the kit. It's a great, natural way to go.
All babies go through a major sleep transition sometime between 3-4 months. This is absolutely normal! Continue to use soothing and calming methods that your baby enjoys within a "formal" bedtime routine. Stick to the routine, doing the same things, in the same order, every single night. Your daughter will learn what to expect and will adjust to her bedtime routine.
If you are interested in reading wonderful information about babies and sleep (with great tips and methods for sleep issues through all of the child's life), pick up "Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child," by Marc Weissbluth, MD.
