AIBU to consider sleep training my five month old?

57 replies

user666555 · 01/05/2024 18:36

Hello,

I've been thinking about sleep training my five month old. I know the guidance is from six months but I'm honestly struggling more and more each day.

My daughter fights her sleep SO much. 9/10 times she will cry/fight her naps/night sleep. Every nap is a battle. She only naps 30-45 minutes at a time (unless I go out with her in the pram but this isn't do-able every single day). I have to rock her to sleep in her pram/bedside crib. She wakes up with the slightest noise and is so difficult to put to/keep asleep.

I've started considering sleep training as I'm not sure what else I can do. DP works long hours so I'm with her all day and she still wakes up around 3+ times a night too. I think the problem is she can't seem to self soothe (again controversial at her age) but it's really impacting me. I feel knackered. My whole body hurts (from feeling overtired and not rested) my relationship with DP is pretty much non existent as when he does get in from work the slightest noise will wake her. I also feel drained from the day of trying to get her to nap that when he does come home I just feel angry and moody all the time. I really do not know what else to do.

AIBU? Should I just suck it up? If I'm not being unreasonable, any tips on how to sleep train her (in a gentle yet effective way) please?

Thanks

OP posts:

Original poster

user666555 · 01/05/2024 18:57

I'm okay with the short naps. It's just that I spend more time putting her down for a nap than she does actually sleeping. She needs the naps as she's tired and I can tell. It's fine that she has shorter ones. I suppose it's developmentally normal for her age but it's the fact that every nap/sleep is a battle to get her to sleep. She cries in tiredness and fights it.

OP posts:

Luxell934 · 01/05/2024 18:56

Do you have a set daily routine? If not I’d start getting into one now. Obviously your baby will dictate this routine some what as she is so young but if you try tostick to a basic routine it will help.

Wake up at the same time each day, milk at set times, if she will only nap in the pram then get yourself out for 45 mins in the morning and 45 mins in the afternoon. Take a waterproof jacket, rain cover for the pram, stick your headphones in and listen to music/podcast and just walk. It will be good for your mental and physical health and also will help her to nap.

Have a set bedtime routine, bath, story, milk and bed time in a dark room.

caffelattetogo · 01/05/2024 18:55

Why are you forcing her to nap? Pick your battles. They do what they need to do.

frogswimming · 01/05/2024 18:52

For me she's still too little for sleep training and her sleeping sounds normal for her age. I Co slept, that's the only way I could get enough sleep myself. I figured that's the natural way throughout history. Did research on safety. Worked for us.

NoKnit · 01/05/2024 18:50

Also at 5 months 35 min naps were totally normal. Closer to a year old when they start having long 1/2 hour naps

Goldx2 · 01/05/2024 18:50

You do what you think is best. Good luck

NoKnit · 01/05/2024 18:48

I never tried to get mine to nap so if you are battling that no wonder you are shattered. Just because the book says they should nap doesn't mean they do babies aren't one size fits all they are all different just like people. Nobody sleeps the same pattern as everyone else do they? That is just something you have to accept.

I know nothing about sleep training but think if you can't get her to nap how are you going to train her to sleep?

The first few years are knackering loads of broken sleep but it does get better at some point. Just have to accept it. I mean you knew babies often meant sleepless nights before you decided to have one didn't you?

Any reason why going out in tram every single day isn't an option? I went through phases of doing this.

Easy for me to say though my kids are 8 and 10 it is all a hazy memory now.

So I'm in the YABU and suck it up camp.

Unflip

1 2 3