Seeking a Gentle Way to Adjust Sleep Patterns

My saving grace has always been the exercise ball! Ever since my daughter was born I would sing to her and bounce her to sleep on this exercise ball. She is 9 months old now, and it still works. She never cared for swings or the rocking chair. I hold her in my arms, sit on the ball, and gently bounce. It is very soothing for the both of us. A good friend shared this with me, and I have since shared it with many. The feedback has been good. Good luck.

It's been a while since I went through this, but I had two thoughts when I read your email. First, what is the total amount of sleep time that she usually has? Is she losing that three hours of sleep in her naptime but gaining it back when you put her to sleep at 8 or 9 AM? Does that make sense? She could just have a natural amount of time that her body is set to sleep total throughout the day, and that is her way of adjusting. I remember that happening with my kids. When I made them sleep earlier, they started to lose their naps. Granted, they were older than 6 months, but still, it's a thought. Second, I don't know if I'd push such a drastic change, going from 11 pm to 8 pm. I'd try and do it slowly, like taking it from 11 to 10:30, 10:30 to 10, etc. Anyway, I remember how frustrating it was. Hope this helped. Good luck!

maybe she is teething. try the gentle naturals teething drops (they also calm fussiness). maybe she could be hitting a growth spurt that can throw her off too. or try to put her down for a nap a couple hours later then usual. say you usually put her down at 10a try 1p instead. i hope this is helpful! good luck!

Check out the book Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Baby by Weissbluth. He has excellent suggestions for every stage of development. I still refer to it and my daughter is 20 months. Good Luck!

She's probably going through a growth spurt...at these times, the also get hungrier and need to feed more. ALSO, growth spurts means that this is also a "phase" where they are growing developmentally....physically & cognitively.....AND they are getting more mobile etc. It's a lot going on at the same time for a baby! ANd yes, all of this interrupts their slumber.
What she is going through is not so unusual.

Babies/kids need 10-12 hours of sleep a night. Your girl goes to bed at 11:00p.m., and wakes at 6-7:00a.m. 8 hours is not enough. Perhaps she is over-tired...overtired means they often cannot sleep well, and they even can get more "hyper." Remember, it takes time to change their sleep routines/times. She's used to going to bed at 11:00p.m. now. Sleep is important for babies developmentally...for their bodies & brains.

I would keep to your sleep/bedtime routine you have for her...but try and adjust the time she goes to bed. Still. Keep in mind, that whatever "new" habit you introduce...will alter her current sleep habits, for better or worse.

When my son went through this at the same age... I just kept to his same sleep routines. Yes, it requires lots of patience. BUT it will pass. Give it a couple of weeks. Babies go through growth spurts and developmental leaps at certain ages...about every 3 months. Head's up. Their sense of "awareness" also increases and changes. Nothing is static...there will be lots of other phases.

Perhaps you also need to give her something for teething. Try the Hyland's teething tabs or drops....also, you can dampen a washcloth & freeze it and let her chew on it. Cold things help teething.

Also, make sure she is getting enough intake... maybe with her growth spurt, she needs to nurse/feed more and more frequently. That often happens. They get hungrier.

Take care and good luck,
~Susan
www.cafepress.com/littlegoogoo

I have a 5-month old son, and I can't handle the "cry it out" method either. I don't have any specific recommendations, but I can recommend a book that I'm using. It's "The No-Cry Sleep Solution" by E. Pantley. The forward is written by Dr. Sears. It's a very easy, quick read. I bought mine through Amazon. Good luck.

There is a book called The No-Cry Sleep Solution by E. Pantley. I used some of the techniques in the book with both my kids and they worked. It may be helpful for you too. It has techniques for all ages too. Good luck.

Hi E.-

Maybe moving the bedtime to 8 or 9 is too drastic a change all at once. Especially with the longer daylight hours she may be extra resistant. One of the books I read, the Baby Whisperer, mentioned moving bed times by an hour, or if that doesn't work, in 15 minute increments. I know that could take a while, but it may work.

Is she fussy during the day or at night before bed? Fussiness may indicate that she isn't getting enough sleep, but if she's happy and playful, maybe she is.

Good luck!

Hi E.,

My, now 2 year old daughter was going through the same thing. We bought the book.. The baby Whisper... and in it is has 6 sleep issues and the signs. This is a wonderful book and covers infant to Toddler issues.

My daughter was over stimulated. We reduced toys to only about 4 (boxed up the rest) and turned off the TV before dinner and for the night. This did work very well for her.

Also we used Highland Teething tablets at about 5 months which did help us too as your daughter may be teething.

As for naps... I purchased a very plush blanket and have used it for naps and nightime. I use the same blanket (have to sneak it into the wash) but the smell and texture seemed to help her make the sleep connection.

Good luck,
H.