I have a little boy who will be three months old by Thanksgiving. He literally slept for 22-23 hours per day until he was about five weeks old. For the next several weeks, he got into a great routine, taking two good naps per day in his swing. Now just this week, he will NOT sleep during the day! He'll fall asleep with me when I'm nursing him or rocking with his pacifier, but wakes up as SOON as I lay him down. Same thing happens if I put him in the swing. If I can get him to go back to sleep (which has not really been happening either) he sleeps for 20 minutes tops. Two days ago, he took a total of three 20 minute naps all day. Yesterday, it was three 30 minute naps. I'm at my wits end here.
With my first son, we let him cry it out for 10 minutes, and it WORKED. He almost always fell asleep before the timer went off. With this one, it does NOT work. He does not fall asleep after the 10 minutes; in fact, he works himself up so much he sweats and his face turns beet red. It's awful. So, here's what I'm trying right now (as I type):
I nurse or rock him until he is either asleep or very close to it. I put him in his crib gently and when he wakes up (and he always does), I give him his pacifier. There's a womb sounds bear in there and a fan to provide some white noise. I leave the room while he's calm and wait for the storm to begin. He will usually lay in there quietly looking around for 10-15 minutes (I can watch him on the video monitor). Once he starts crying, I set the timer for 5 minutes. If he's not asleep by the time the timer goes off, I go in there and give him his pacifier. I stay in there for about 3 minutes putting the darn thing back in over and over :P until I've counted to 60 three times. That helps me stay calm! Then, whether he's sleeping or not, I leave the room. He's always calm when I leave. If he is not asleep at this point, I wait for the cries to begin and set the timer for 6 minutes. Repeat repeat repeat. Now, as I've written this, he's fallen asleep, but given his current patterns, I fully expect him to wake up in twenty minutes! Ah!
So, there's a couple of things I'm asking of you ladies. He sleeps well at night (about 10-12 hours total - getting up 1-2 times to eat), so is 1-2 hours of sleep during the day all he needs?? Please say no, because I need more than that! :) Also, please share any insights you have about what else I can do here. I'm not the type of mom that can sit on the couch all day holding my baby while he sleeps. I do believe in helping babies learn to soothe themselves.
Sounds just like gas to me. Its totally uncomfortable for him, so he juat can't sleep normally. Have to changed your diet recently? Avoid spicy, garlicky, any pungent foods. Broccoli, cucumber, cabbage and beans can cause gas. Dairy products can VERY often irritate babies sensitive digestive systems, eliminate it in your diet for a week and see how it goes. Mylicon is wonderful in the meantime. Burp every 5 minutes of feeding. It may seem excessive, but it really helps a gassy child. Good luck!
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H.J.
answers from
Minneapolis
on
I second the chiropractor getting them adjusted every few months is a great thing while they are growing. Now I do remember both of my two going through a phase where they would only sleep 20-30 minutes at a time multiple times during the day usually about three. Now he does sleep really well at night which is great! Unless he is really crabby those cat naps might be all he needs. If he goes any longer during the day he might not sleep as well at night. But I would get him into the chiropractor and see how that works first. I have always been a mom who lets her children decide what they need for sleep, like not waking them up unless I have to I have found that they are able to judge how much they need very well. Except when they are sick then they need a little help. Best of luck, seems like you have a good sleeper though with how well he is sleeping at night at 3 months.
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M.W.
answers from
St. Cloud
on
Because this was so sudden my first suggestion is TAKE HIM TO THE CHIROPRACTOR!
Every time our children would start having sleeping issues or just start to seem crabbier than usual we would take them to get adjusted and we would notice a HUGE difference that same day! And ESPECIALLY that night!!!
Our kids have been adjusted from newborn on. They are now 4 1/2 and 2 1/2 and we still bring them in any time they complain of a sore neck or start coming down with anything. The chiropractor has taken care of everything from ear infections to colds in our kids! It has worked every time!
Good luck!
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M.A.
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Minneapolis
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Amy, I went through this with my little daycare girl. I had to spend quite a few weeks holding her to get her to sleep more than 10 minutes at a time. She would sleep great for mom & dad but, not here! All the years I have done daycare I had never really experienced this... What I discovered was a boppy pillow!!!!! I had never had one before and I will tell you I LOVE THEM NOW!!!!! I started with it on the couch one day and she slept for 2 hours in it. What HEAVEN! Now it is in the crib and if I try to take it out she will NOT sleep at all (she is 6.5 months now. If you have any other questions let me know I might not have given all the info.
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S.S.
answers from
Sioux Falls
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I agree with the Chiropractor idea, the other thing that may be happening is reflux, it is very common in babies, which the chiropractor will help with too. I agree that he should learn to soothe himself. Some things to ask yourself. Does he like his current pacifier, does he sleep better at an incline, and most of you will probably curse me but will he sleep on his tummy. I have 5 kids and only 1 slept on her back from day one. My youngest is 7 mo. and he would only sleep on his tummy, laying him on his back or side was a sure way to wake him up. Whereas my 3rd child was sure to wake up if she was anywhere but on her side or back. Kids go figure. He may also be going thru a phase and persistence and patience will prevail.
Best of luck to you.
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E.M.
answers from
Des Moines
on
This may not sound like great help. but my son was like that from month 2-4. I had the time so i would try to get him to sleep in the crib but if i wanted more then 20 mins to myself i had to hold him. I didn't get anything done around the house but i did get to sit and rest and cuddle by precious little baby. i did it every few days. around 4 months he began to nap longer but still was only napping about an 45 min-hour at a time twice a day until about 9-10 months at 11 months he moved to 1 nap of 2 hours. Hang in there. they say not to but my son did well having a small stuffed animal to snuggle. my son sleeps on his tummy (his choice) so i think he started sleeping better once he could roll on his own because of course i laid him to sleep on his back when he was little. When i figured out that may be his problem i laid him on his side and he started to sleep better. I propped him in one of the little triangle things they make so that he could roll to his back but not roll forward until he was strong enough to roll back
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Good luck no matter what happens it will pass eventually :)
