Sleeps/naps really starting to stress me out!

[Taler]

It used to be that for her daytime naps and night time sleep I would help settle my DD (now 15.5 weeks), put her in her Moses basket and she'd then sleep.

Now whenever I lay her down its eyes wide open, dummy spat out, SMILING (?????) and fidgety.

What on earth is this all about????

I acknowledge sleep patterns can change but this is just weird isn't it?

Before anyone maybe suggests it, yes she is most definitely very tired! She displays all the signs, yawning, rubbing eyes, and if left too long before going down will get vocally annoyed! Plus when I'm settling her in my arms before putting her down she either properly falls asleep or near enough!

Please tell me others have experienced this and how the hell you manage it?

I am literally getting no time WHATSOEVER as during the day I try to leave her but inevitably she cries so I am in and out, in and out putting the dummy in, hand on chest for a few moments, and night time is no difference.

I know she's still very young but I feel she is proper 'playing' me!

Any advice would be soooo welcome.

[AnythingNotEverything]

Sounds like the four month sleep regression. I think this is a natural fussy time/growth spurt where they realise they are a separate human being to you, realise you exist when they can't see you, and develop some fabulous new skills like rolling and trying to sit.

DD is 19 weeks. We're rolling with it. The chores will wait!

Sorry. I know this probably doesn't help you much!

[Taler]

Thanks. Wasn't expecting and miracles, more to know others are experiencing the same thing

[AnythingNotEverything]

There's a sleep regression thread somewhere that might have some knowledgable folk on it.

[mustardtomango]

We've got just this too with our 4 month old... Meant to be sleeping, actually gazing at you smiling, meant to be eating, just the same. I've found looking at him directly triggers it, but then not looking doesn't exactly result in sleep - he just gazes round, chatters for a bit, then slowly (but surely) works towards grizzling for having no attention. Only advice I have is to enjoy him and these smiley moments

Ds has also learnt how to cry to be held, agree it's all growing cleverness thing but tell myself soon enough he'll be running away all the time and to make the most of it

[mustardtomango]

Oh and the fidgeting... My god that's exhausting isn't it

[BotBotticelli]

I think around that age I started putting DS in his cot in his room for naps, in the dark with blackout curtains drawn. He has just too stimulated by the lights/tv/people in the living room/moses basket to sleep there anymore.

Might be worth a try?

[Taler]

Thank you.

Botbotticelli - my DD has her naps in our 2nd bedroom where it is quiet (except for some white noise she likes).