Ok so I've swaddled my son since he was 2 months old. He's now 6 months old and is rolling over like a pro. Recently he's decided to hate the swaddle (I've also have been swaddle weening him. His left hand out for the past couple weeks and he was doing great) since he now is rolling over. So I want to just toss the swaddles away and just let him get used to falling asleep with out it. BUT he wont fall asleep with out it unless I let him CIO. I'm not a big fan of CIO because I believe right now is a great communication learning of when i cry mom comes. I don't want to let him CIO if he is hungry or wet. I do know that it is ok to let him do it, but I'd just prefer not to. However, I've been having to the past couple days because when he goes to bed he wont stop wiggling and hitting me or himself in the face. Which in turn keeps him awake and grumpy then to all out balling. Is there anything else I can do to help him sleep?
Oh we do, do a night time ritual (or at least try to since life is still settling after our move) of every other day I give him a bath then a book then a bottle. On the off day it's just book then bottle.
ALSO he only takes 20-30 minute naps and I'm wondering if that is a good thing or not. I would like to extend them so that I can have a bit more me time. If anyone has any tips on that too.
*correction
His waking up from a nap is a full on wake up. I've tried to sooth him back to sleep, but we just wants to play.
we left our daughter loose in the swaddle so she could fall asleep swaddled but break out easily once she was asleep. This helped her.
He's not used to being not swaddled.
Also at this age, they cannot totally control their limbs and do not have full motor skills coordination over their limbs. So, they flail or hit themselves.
Transitions take time....
Does he have a lovey?
Or you could try a sleep sack but he may still feel confined in it or it may be a good transition for him. But he is now rolling over, so having him confined in a swaddle/sleep sack may not be a good idea.
At this age as well, it is a growth-spurt time... and their intake needs increases and at this age they are hitting major milestones and changing a lot developmentally... these things COMBINED affects their sleep. It is a phase. So, he is going through that too. And he is rolling over now... which tweaks them too because they are not in full control over it and these impulses. So this affects their sleep too.
He is wiggling around and flailing, and then getting grumpy about it because he is trying to self-soothe but can't yet and can't get himself into a comfortable sleep position. Which is also normal for this age.
His naps are short... and not a full nap. Is he still tired when he wakes? Or, it could be that he is just having intermittent wakings, but will go back to sleep if you don't wake him fully or pick him up at every sound he makes. Many babies, do sort of toss/turn and SEEM to wake, but are not fully awake and if let be, they will go back to sleep. So, you have to know your baby's cues and patterns during sleep. And his sounds. If he is not full on crying and only making sleepy sounds/cries... then he probably can be let be and go back to sleep, for example. So you have to gauge him. Not necessarily picking him up and "waking" him at every sound he makes during sleep.
Keep up with your sleep and nap routines. In the long run, that will bring consistency to his naps/sleep and it will be good. ALWAYS have a pre-nap and pre-bedtime routine. The baby and child, will get used to that, if it is consistent. It will "cue" them.
Also, feed him on-demand, always, 24/7. 6 months old is a growth-spurt time. And by nature, they need more intake and feedings to keep pace with their changing growth needs and developmental needs.
All the best,
Susan
If he is doing okay with one arm out, I would continue that until he is consistently getting himself all out during the night. My son got to the point that by the time I walked out of the room, he was already out of the swaddle, so I knew it was time. There is really no reason to rush it.
I have always heard that naps should be 1.5-3 hours, or they don't get into the full dream cycle. I know that this disagrees with one of the other posters, but try to feed him when he wakes up, play for awhile, and then put him down. He will start to learn what naptime is, and what he is supposed to do.
I have a Great book for you. "Good Night Sleep Tight" by Kim West the sleep lady. This book has helped me soooo much. It teaches parents how to be your childs sleep couch and covers different needs at different stages from birth to 5 years. The idea is you do go to them when they cry this creates a trust, it's a much bigger deal than some people think. You are couching them through it and over time they can do it themselves more and more. You are not doing it for them, but you are not leaving them to do it entirely alone either. I absolutely LOVE this book. Babies do need to be taught how to sleep, it can be totally exhausting to train. It is well worth the effort and you will both get much better sleep through the months and years to come. Another thing if you don't already do it to add to the routine is keep it in the childs room with low lighting. Low lighting in the bathroom for the bath too. Low lighting triggers the bodies natural melatonin, gets it ready for sleeping, that works great in conjunction with the routine triggering mind and body that it's sleep time. He might also need a little more time after bath an extra book maybe. A lovey can help with separation anxiety witch if I recall starts at about his age. I really really highly recommend the book. It also teaches a little about the physiology of sleep and that was very helpful to learn as well. He does need longer naps too. Be somewhat flexible you are both still learning what he likes, and what is going to sooth him. I hope this helps. One more thing there are times to throw all the rules out the window, and do what you as the mother think is best. For the most part my kids sleep great on there own, but there is still occasionally times when they need a little more time to wind down or more snuggle time, or whatever it is. Go by the rules for the most part, but pay attention to your mothers intuition too, there's a good reason we have that. It helps me to put myself in there shoes. How would I feel if I had just had a wonderful time at say a family party then got whisked off to go to bed. I would be like what in the world I'm hyped I'm excited I would need some transition time. So keep in mind what has gone on that day, and you can make minor modifications.
