My 5-month-old has generally been an easy going baby (with the occasional whining here and there) ... until he learned to roll over several weeks ago. Around the same time he cut his normally 1 1/2-2 hr nap to 30-40 minutes AND began to whine longer and louder when he can't go back to sleep.
I though maybe that's his rhythm now but I noticed he's still tired after the short nap because whenever I try putting him back to sleep as soon as he's awake, he'd calm down but continue to whine with his eyes close. Unfortunately this wakes him up and we'll start the process again. Otherwise, he's happy throughout the day. Any thoughts/suggestions?
Many thanks!
First off, thanks to all for their suggestions. I've ruled out hunger and teething so it was down to actual sleep problem. Turns out my little one has a very short sleep cycle--about 30 min.--and everytime he transitions into a new sleep cycle he would jolt hard, thus waking himself up. So I decided to swaddle him from the chest down during naptime and wouldn't you know it ... he stayed asleep for 1-1/2 to 2 hrs each time (like his old routine). Apparently his form of self-soothing is whining really loud and long before zoning-out. I guess whatever works :) ...
I go with pain being the problem. We whimper and moan and wine and I pop some teething tabs use some clove oil and if that is not enough to keep her down I use Tylenol and Motrin.
It never fails to keep her down for a good long nap.
T.
I've always read and heard that infants who are used to an adult putting them to sleep won't go to sleep without another person being present. And that infants who put themselves to sleep by fussing learn to go to sleep on their own.
What happens if you don't go into his room when he whines after rolling over and waking up? Does he ever go back to sleep if you don't go and try to "put him back to sleep?"
Could your son be learning to put himself back to sleep by fussing? Are you accustoming him to needing another person present to go to sleep? Which is your family's style? Those are questions to think about. Could you try letting him fuss and see if he will go back to sleep on his own? I know that some people use little devices that make various white noises, heartbeats, nature sounds, etc for soothing. You could try that too.
Good luck!
Hi there,
I agree with SH response. I wish I would have done this with my now 22 month old. It's the only way they learn how to self sooth back to sleep without being dependent on you. Maybe it's time to start a schedule for naps. Does he still take random naps all through out the day? Or does he take them at specific times? Maybe he would take longer naps if you only let him take 2 naps a day. Just a thought.
If he is keeping his eyes closed during some of the whining, then that sounds like to me, that he would fall asleep on his own if you don't interfere. If you are consistent, it shouldn't take that long to get him on a schedule that you think is appropriate for him.
Good luck!
Okay, both my kids did that.
Its them doing a repetitive self-soothing thing to go back to sleep.
When I did NOT interfere in that... my kids went back to sleep. On their own.
Mind you, when my kids were doing this, they were "sleeping" or in a very drowsy state. Not awake. It is not 'crying' either. They are not crying. Just kind of a monotonous 'whining' as you said... to me, it was like them meditating or something... because it was a stable and consistent sound they made...but while still in a sort of a sleep state. THUS, I did not go in and wake them... nor interfere in their sleep flow.
The thing is, if you interfere their "process" somehow, then you are back at square one... and they won't go back to sleep. And then they will really "wake."
So try waiting a bit, hang loose... listen and observe him. Don't go in and do anything, not even pat him.
IF after a time he does not go back to sleep or his whining then turns into screaming/crying, then soothe him and pick him up....
But try that. That is what my kids did as babies, and I always found that they would go back to sleep. It is about CUING into your baby... and observing and knowing what their sounds "mean" and when and why. Therefore, you understand them and their patterns and needs.
All the best,
Susan
My thoughts are that he's either experiencing teething or a growth spurt. Both can be very disruptive of sleep and cause what we might define as whining sound because of discomfort or pain.
You may want to check his gums and maybe invest in some Clove Oil for easing the pain and swelling, and some infant Motrin just in case.
Also, during growth spurt times babies tend to fuss and often naps are shorter. I would keep your regular routine and allow him to try to get himself back to sleep.
Oh, another thing...have you introduced 'solid' foods, like cereal yet? If you have this can cause sleep issues as the tummy gets used to the digestion of this new pattern of feeding. Make sure your little one is getting enough breastmilk/formula as sleep can also be disrupted by hunger, and hunger can increase due to growth.
Good Luck!
Hi, T..
I agree with what's been said - it is most likely related to teething/growth and establishing self-soothing techniques. But since my experience is a little different, here's another viable possibility.
My son did the same thing as a baby and I was sure it would pass with teething. Then I was sure it would pass with growth spurts. Eventually I faced the obvious: it wasn't passing. Ever. He's nine and he still does it. And crikey, is it loud now that he's bigger!
He just has a mild sleep disorder, in the same 'family' as night terrors and teeth grinding. The only thing that gets him to stop groaning in his sleep (like an outboard motor revving) is to wake him -- really wake him, get him to speak sensibly to me and reset those brainwave patterns. He always falls back to sleep quickly, minus the groaning. Some nights it recurs, but most nights one waking is enough. Anxiety, diet and physical discomfort (broken arm, flu, skinned knees) all make the sleep-groaning more frequent/persistent.
So here's a link to give you some concise info. I wouldn't jump to any 'sleep disorder' conclusions just yet - but keep the info on hand in case you need it a couple of years down the line. It's neither big nor bad, just a unique facet of a unique child. Don't worry, either way. You're doing a great job!
http://www.sleepeducation.com/Disorder.aspx?id=40
Best of luck!
Try reading "healthy sleep habits happy baby"
He should be taking a lot more naps, he is tired.
it is so funny, but i am going through the same thing with my son, who just turned 6 months old yesterday. around 3 weeks ago, his naps got shorter too, for some reason. i tried leaving him in the crib, since this used to work, but he would just cry endlessly and it would get me frustrated. well, i just decided not to force him anymore. if one time, his nap is short, then i would just get him and let him play. he would have like two short naps now and one long one in a day. though i am still hoping he goes back to his 1 1/2-long naps. oh well...
Maybe he's teething! I can't tell you how many times I missed this obvious explanation. The pain of teething can really interrupt their sleep cycle and different children experience teething totally differently. My first born had a terrible time... my second not at all.
Why don't you try some natural teething remedies.... teething granules or chamomilla? And if you discover it is in fact teething you can try a little dose of baby ibuprofen. Because once they get in to the habit of waking up - teething or not- it is a difficult habit to break.
Best of luck
N.
He could be teething. My son was really difficult with nap/bedtime when he was teething. As soon as the teeth finally broke through, naps/bedtime became easier.
HI T.,
I have a 7 month old and so I am no expert but after reading the other advice I thought I would just put it out there that simply he is a baby, a little human being, and he is going to go through things just like we do. I know that my sleep patterns change quite often and so does a baby's. I would not worry too much about it and trust that you will get into a rhythm again. I notice that every couple of months we go through a rough patch and then readjust to a new rhythm. I just can't see that letting him cry himself to sleep as the solution, but that is just my opinion.
Best of luck,
J.
