Napping Issues

[Laurie]

Hi All! I'm really in a pickle and would love some tips. My son is 3 1/2 months old and has been sleeping through the night for quite some time now, but he really fights me to take naps. He has never been a good napper and it seems to be getting worse. He'll fall asleep in my arms but usually wakes up immediately when I put him down. If I'm lucky and he doesn't wake up right away, he only sleeps about 20-30 minutes before he wakes up again. I have let him cry in his crib (I go in to soothe him intermittently) but I eventually have to pick him up because it doesn't seem that he will ever fall asleep (plus I can only take the crying for so long). If he is having a good day (or I am holding him while he naps), he can sleep 2-3 hours. The books say that babies will cry an average of 15-20 minutes before they sleep - ha! Not my boy - He is very stubborn! Any tips would be appreciated. I am out of ideas and am really worried that holding him while he naps will interfere with his night time sleeping. Thank you!

[auzziekat]

Hi Laurie,
It sounds as though you are missing the window of your little guys sleep, maybe you should try putting him down every 2-21/2 hours and see if that helps at all because it sounds as though he may be getting overtired, therfore it is very hard for babies to go to sleep and stay asleep. Hope this helps!!

Goodluck
Auzziekat

[Laurie]

Thanks for the tip! I will give that a try. Would you recommend that I put him down at the same time every day even if he doesn't seem tired? And what are your thoughts on rocking him to sleep? I am very nervous to start this habit but I'm desparate for him to sleep! Thanks, again!

[auzziekat]

Yes I would try putting him down to sleep even if you don't think he's tired!! I would not rock hm to sleep because then your just starting something that your going to have to do all the time. Just put him in awake or you could try rocking him until he's sleepy but hasn't closed his eyes, then put him in his crib!!!

Goodluck
auzziekat

[Laurie]

Thanks again! You can probably guess what my next question is....how long do I let him cry? I know he'll start crying and I've used the method where I go in after 5 minutes, 7 minutes, etc. He has only gotten himself to sleep a few times like this (but, believe it or not, he can do it at night w/o a meltdown). I eventually pick him up because it seems that he gets himself so distressed that he'll never fall asleep. And how long, on average, do you think it takes to establish a new healthy sleeping pattern this way where I have to let him cry (a few days, a week, 2 weeks)?
Thank you!!!

[auzziekat]

Hi Laurie,
I always say you should go in when you feel it is time, because if you put a time on it then you are more likely not to stick to the sleep routine!!So just go in when you feel he needs you.I like to say the amount of crying is dependant on the parents because you choose when you go in. It is also very promising that he has done this in the past, that's telling me that he is capable of going to sleep on his own. I think in probably 5-7 days he will have a bettter sleep pattern!!I hope this helps!! :)

Goodluck
Auzziekat

[Laurie]

Thanks so much. I'll give it a try and let you know how it turns out. Wish me luck!

[Laurie]

Hi Kathy! I thought I should follow up with the status of our napping issues. I really appreciate your advice and you are right in that I am waiting too long to put Sam down for his nap. So I am now putting him down the minute I see any signs of him being tired (I haven't left the house in a week!). He can put himself to sleep but the big problem is staying asleep. He wakes up after 30 minutes every time. I know it's probably because he is overtired but he can't seem to get passed that 30 minute mark! Last night he slept 11.5 hours (w/ 2 feedings) and went down for a nap after being up only a little over an hour. He woke up after 25 minutes. Then it's almost impossible to get him back to sleep (yes, I've tried the crying thing, too). Ugh. He doesn't have this problem at bedtime. Any other suggestions? I'm at a complete loss. Thanks!

[auzziekat]

Hi Laurie,
Just give him some more time to get used to his new sleep schedule ok!!! In a week or two he will start to sleep longer, I promise. Although once he has woken up don't try and put him back to sleep, just call his nap over ok!! Sorry it took e so long to get back to you but I have been working nights and days at two different jobs this week!! ;)

Goodluck
auzziekat