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Join our Sleep forum for tips on creating a sleep routine for your baby or toddler.

Join our Sleep forum for tips on creating a sleep routine for your baby or toddler.

Sleep

Baby will not go to sleep without crying

19 replies

nightandthelight · 01/06/2016 19:09

Sorry second thread from me but is a different topic to the fourth month regression one. Basically for about two months now DS will not go to sleep without screaming himself hoarse first. Doesn't matter whether he is being cuddled, rocked, in a pram or in a crib. He isn't hungry, doesn't have a dirty nappy or wind. Don't think it is overtired as it happens whether I try to put him down 1 hour after his last nap or 2.

We never leave him to cry, we are always trying to soothe, whether that be cuddling, stroking head etc. However I am terrified that he is suffering because of it, that he feels that we have let him down and that it is causing him stress.

I am not sure what to do :(

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WalkThePlank0 · 01/06/2016 19:12

Mine did this during the four month sleep regression. I held him and it lasted a couple of minutes then he went to sleep. It passed after a couple of days. I think he was overtired and fed up.

nightandthelight · 01/06/2016 19:15

Thanks walk, glad that it resolved so quickly for your LO. This has been the norm with us for so long.

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MunchyMunchkin · 01/06/2016 19:17

My LO is now 9 months and still does this when I put her down in the cot regardless of whether you stay and comfort her or leave. I've just learnt to live with it and pop on every 5-10mins to reassure her. Some days she screams so loud I'm surprised the neighbours haven't called social services.

WalkThePlank0 · 01/06/2016 19:17

Oh I see. Didn't read your post properly. Sorry abou that. How is he otherwise? Is he happy, thriving etc? How long does he cry for?

nightandthelight · 01/06/2016 19:25

It's horrible when nothing makes a difference Munchy, feel so helpless.

He is growing well Walk and meeting his milestones. He is quite demanding though, isn't happy to sit in a bouncer for more than a couple of minutes, needs constant interaction. If he has that he is happy, lots of smiles etc. It's exhausting though and DH and I are flagging.

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KittyCatKittyCat · 01/06/2016 19:53

Consider if your LO has reflux, my DD did and hated being flat, always uncomfy, hard to settle, couldn't be left and would scream and scream. In the end, ranitidine and letting her sleep on her front worked. My DS started getting uncomfy and straight away we did sleeping on front with a foam angled wedge, and he was fine. I know SIDS risks are an issue with front sleeping, but perhaps try it for a nap where you watch your LO as they nap.

stargirl1701 · 01/06/2016 19:58

Can you just feed him to sleep?

CodyKing · 01/06/2016 20:11

Also raise the cot with a folded towel under the mattress -

It maybe acid burn - the muscle at the top of the stomach doesn't always close until 6 months - so keeping head above belly works wonders

Toofondofcake · 01/06/2016 20:15

Does your little one sleep with his arms out above his head? My first DD did this for a short time around 4/5 months old and HV said that around this time babies sometimes get too anxious/grizzly before sleep and can't switch off without getting it out of their systems and when they finally fall asleep with arms out they have managed to relax again. Don't know how much truth is in that but it described by DD for about 5 weeks and then it seemed to sort itself out when she got settled into her bedtime routine properly and sleeping through the night. Hope it doesn't last long for you.

unimagmative13 · 01/06/2016 20:25

This happens to us too. No matter if you holding, rocking or no holding you get the cries. Usually with eyes closed so I know he's tired.

I have just learnt he is comfier being laid down in a sleepyhead with the side close to his face so snug. And if he actually sucks on a dummy can fall asleep quickly.

We use a dummy for this reason only.

Your not just letting them cry it out if they would just cry it out in your arms in my opinion.

Kimononono · 01/06/2016 20:30

I don't think that sounds right.

Are you catching his very early sleep cues? Like way before yawning? What is his routine like during day? How long does he sleep during day?

nightandthelight · 02/06/2016 07:02

He won't feed to sleep anymore unfortunately star, he always feeds before bed but it doesn't send him to sleep.

Crib is already elevated. He definitely sleeps much better on his front but I am so wary of it. At the moment I compromise by putting him on his side with his arm out so he can't roll onto his front. He does often roll onto his back though and immediately wakes up so maybe reflux is the issue. His naps are all on his front as he has them on my chest, however he still cries himself to sleep.

I try to follow sleep cues kimon for example him no longer being interested in play etc but it doesn't seem to make any difference.

Hoping he will grow out of it soon!

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CodyKing · 02/06/2016 07:07

I've seen recommended a swimming noodle under the sheet to prevent rolling - worth a go

nightandthelight · 02/06/2016 07:13

That's interesting Cody, will look it up thanks :)

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MunchyMunchkin · 02/06/2016 08:52

Can he roll himself over and move his head side to side? If so he will be fine on his front.

(Assuming he was a full term baby)

Redhead79 · 02/06/2016 17:32

We have this before every nap and bed time, dd is 6 months and it's exhausting so you have my sympathy! It's horrible when they cry like this.

Like unimaginative, we use a dummy for this purpose only, and put her to sleep on her front, which has improved things. I'm still hoping it's just a phase but looking more and more like this is just the way things are...

FATEdestiny · 02/06/2016 17:59

A dummy is the simplest no crying sleep solution.

nightandthelight · 05/06/2016 08:52

He can roll from front to back but not the other way munchy and he has excellent head control. He was born on his due date :)

Sorry to hear you are the same red, being on his front really seems to help DS too.

A dummy will get DS off to sleep without crying but as soon as it falls out he wakes up and starts crying again :(

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FATEdestiny · 05/06/2016 21:17

A dummy works in the getting to sleep stage. It serves no purpose once asleep. A dummy gives baby something to suck since sucking is soothing. Once asleep the muscles of the jaw holding the dummy in and the muscles creating active suction both relax - because none of these things are possible once asleep. It's therefore to be expected dummy will not be in baby's mouth when asleep, it's not meant to be and isn't needed

So you already have a way to get baby to sleep without crying.

You just need to work on the reason for light sleeping. It won't be the dummy.

Good luck!

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