Any advice on helping baby sleep during the day?

[chloemegjess]

Hello. I have a 4 month old DD who is awful at sleeping in the day. We pretty much have nights sorted now (other than tonight!) but in the day, she is always soo tired, but refuses to Nap. I manage to get her to have one nap in the middle of the day, but it takes her about 45mins to an hour to get to sleep, then only sleeps for 20-30mins! She is then so grumpy all afternoon as she is tired but I can't get her to sleep.

She sleeps in her cot in her own room now (only for the last week)and at night, I leave her in her cot awake and within 5 mins she is usually asleep. She doe wake in the night but is easy to settle and only wakes 2-3times most of the time which I am fine with as she is usually hungry.

But this daytime tiredness is just driving me mad. She needs to sleep but just fights it so much. She just always wants to be watching whats going on and is very alert and always has been really.

Any suggestions? I am getting quite stressed with it and it is spoiing the time I should be having with my DD as she is too tired to play happily!

[poodlepusher]

Do you take her out for walks in the pram? That should do it - but you'll be getting exercise instead of rest when she does.

[fireflytoo]

Is she unhappy to be left watching?...and falling asleep when she can't keep awake anymore. Lavender oil is supposed to be a good settler and ROUTINE... You will have to get her into a habit... takes at least a week... i agree with the walk... or park her next to the washing machine!

[babymutha]

chloe - I have no advice only wanted to say that your LO sounds exactly like mine - only mine is now 5 months and I am going bonkers.... PLEASE somebody tell me what to do.
and yes.. I do take her for pram walks, and I do put her down in a quiet darkened room, and I do walk her around in a sling, and I sing lullabyes, and say "shhhh shhh, time to sleep" in reassuring tones, and I AM TRYING to have a routine but it seems to involve endless hours of rocking a screaming baby to try and get her to SLEEP. 3 x 20 minute power naps a day can't be good for anyone!
but then she does sleep really well at night... but I am still stressed out. HEEELLLPPPP PLEASE: my 5mo is a party animal.
thanks