Help with 4month old naptime!

[islingtongirl]

DD used to nap! Now she doesn't unless I bf her to sleep. I cant lift her into cot after as she wakes and cries, aargh! Its better when we are out as she naps in pram ok generally but I want her to be able to nap better at home - as no naps means grumpy baby! I can see she is tired, yawning, rubbing eyes etc but she really fights it recently when I put her down, screams and kicks off blanket. Any tips? I ideally would like to put her down for naps and her to self settle, but maybe this is wishful thinking! Well she used to...but the past few weeks all sleep seems to be going pear-shaped :( including nights. I am ending up with a v overtired baby and with inlaws over this hasn't helped as she keeps missing naptimes!

[BocaDeTrucha]

Recently my Ds (4 months) has got much better with his naps. As soon as I see the signs I lie him down in my bed or his moses basket and lie next to him stroking his face or with my hands reading on his chest. Within 2 mins he's fast asleep

I think it helps that we're at the pils with all the other cousins running riot and ds appreciates being taken somewhere quiet!

[BocaDeTrucha]

*resting even, not reading

[poocatcherchampion]

put her down before she is obviously tired. I normally put mine down after about an hour of awake. . she kicks around and wails a bit but is usually asleep within 15 mins.

nights have also been a nightmare for about 10 days. no sleeps of more than 2 hours. much better last night - just 2 wake ups. I think that is the 4 month sleep regression and hoping we are getting through it.

got to put baby down now , sorry got brvity. toddler is wearinh 3 pairs of trousers. good luck

[poocatcherchampion]

she's asleep already.

I also try to put her down awake in the day and let her get herself off. if I put her asleep she normally wakes after 20 mins if not on the actual plonking down.

[islingtongirl]

Ok thanks will try earlier - yes poocatcher DD does same if put down asleep, wakes within 20-30 mins. Just as I am sitting down to a cuppa or manically running around house trying to do all the chores that have been piling up!! Actually mil has just taken her for a walk in the pram, and despite me mildly protesting she might be hungry she has only gone and got her to go to sleep, dammit! Showing me up!

[poocatcherchampion]

my mil always manages to get her asleep by cuddling her. I can't. its mil magic. and I love her for it!

[cerealqueen]

There is a four month sleep regression, (lots on net) you just have to try and ride it but I would also suggest trying to get back into self settling if you possibly can?

[bugsyclaus]

Have you tried carrying her in a sling? Then you can do housework while she naps on you

[islingtongirl]

Hello all! Bit more success today - put her down at first yawn and she grizzled for about 10 mins then fell asleep! I think I just need to leave her to it sometimes rather than charging in at first whimper thinking she isn't going down...she only slept for 30 mins tho...now how to extend?!

Sling - only have a baby bjorn which i cant see dd sleeping in tbh - she is too noisy and I feel like the sling is too upright iyswim? Any other sling recommendations? Also find baby bjorn kills my back

[chocolatesolveseverything]

I feel your pain. .. it's been weeks since my 5m ds self-settled during the day.

I've started using a manduca sling which is very good.

[islingtongirl]

Nosy not noisy! Although she is that too!

[islingtongirl]

Mentioned nap issue to hv yesterday - she said not to worry about it and like food, babies wont let themselves go without...but is that true? I feel I really need to help DD sleep sometimes or she wouldn't but is clearly tired and if I didn't we get the usual overtired meltdown....

[mrsbug]

I've got an ergo and can comfortably carry my 20lb one year old for a couple of hours. And it's her favourite place to sleep. Look for a sling where the baby's bum is lower than their knees (so their hips are in an M shape) as this is supposed to be better for them and definitely looks more comfortable. Is there a sling library near you? If so go along and try a few out to see what suits you.

Re extending naps, as soon as your lo shows signs of stirring, start to do whatever it is that you do to get them to sleep in the first place - feeding, rocking, sshing, or whatever works. They should then go back to sleep for another sleep cycle. In theory they will eventually get into the habit of sleeping for two sleep cycles without you needing to do anything although this part never worked for dd