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Original poster

Should I end mat leave early and go back to work because of this hideous nap situation?

12 replies

Pirandello24 · 28/08/2019 15:30

Currently on mat leave with my 8 month old. Up until 6 weeks ago he would go down for two naps a day without too much trouble. Now it's just a disaster zone- he just lies in the cot screaming and holding out his arms to be picked up. I end up holding and comforting him but then he doesn't want to be held, I try to put him back down etc etc. This can literally go on for hours, until he falls asleep exhausted on the boob. And the afternoon nap is even worse and tbh I've given up on it. Add in 3 wake ups a night and a wake up or two from my other dc and I am just broken and exhausted. I've started dreading each day- nap time used to be what got me through the day. Am seriously considering going back to work early as I just can't cope any more. Is there anything else I can do?!

OP posts:
hormonesorDHbeingadick · 28/08/2019 15:33

Maybe it’s time for one nap a day.

Stravapalava · 28/08/2019 15:35

There's a sleep regression about that time as well I think? I remember finding the 8 month age very hard.

Agree with hormones - try a one nap strategy now and see how you get on.

brownbreadicecream · 28/08/2019 15:36

Have a realistic look at how many hours of awake time he can manage before a nap. Might be time to drop to one a day. Or will he sleep in pushchair if you push him around for the afternoon nap? Mine would only sleep in a pushchair for 2nd nap until about 8 months then I got him to go down in his crib!

Things change all the time with babies, you basically have to roll with it

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SleepWarrior · 28/08/2019 15:37

Assuming you actually want to stay home with him this issue notwithstanding, then no I wouldn't throw the towel in because of naps at this point. Totally understand your frustration though!

Could you try going out every day for a walk/park trip/shops every day at nap time so he naps in the pushchair? Put earphones so you can listen to music if he's going to cry to sleep. I know its not the best sleep association to form but it's a improvement on what you currently have and can be gradually changed if it's successful (e.g. just wheeling pushchair round front room, then putting him in with no wheeling, then putting in cot).

marvellousnightforamooncup · 28/08/2019 15:41

Time for the old walking for miles in a buggy trick. Ds2 only slept in his buggy for daytime naps at that age. If I was lucky I could tire him out at baby and toddler group, wheel him home and let him sleep for a while in his buggy in the utility room.

Original poster
Pirandello24 · 28/08/2019 15:57

Thank you for being so nice and supportive- I could cry! (Doesn't take much at the moment). I just have zero energy left and the nap situation is pushing me over the edge. As for buggy naps- he's not overly keen and it takes a good hour of pushing him round before he'll drop off. In this heat it's pretty hard but will definitely try again when it cools down.

OP posts:
PamelaTodd · 28/08/2019 16:08

Weirdly if babies don’t sleep enough in the day they wake up at night too, so if you can get him napping the night time waking might ease off.

Are you doing all the night wakings? I sort of felt I needed to justify being a sahm by doing all the night work and letting dh sleep because he had a job to go to. The chronic sleep deprivation was disaster for my health and mental health. If you have a partner that can help they need to step up.

PamelaTodd · 28/08/2019 16:17

Just a thought, but when I was beyond shattered with ds, I made a safe play area (padded mats, caged off, etc) and got in with him. I’d just lie on the floor and he had a grand time climbing over me and poking me and whacking toys off me. We paid good money for baby gym sessions that weren’t half as challenging as clambering over mummy’s legs! It was a low energy way for baby to get tons of fun and stimulation and mummy cuddles without wearing me out.

raspberryk · 28/08/2019 16:59

Time to move to one nap I expect.

Needallthesleep · 28/08/2019 17:03

Could it be teething related? Agree 8 months is key sleep regression/separation anxiety time. This lasted about 3 weeks for us

Original poster
Pirandello24 · 28/08/2019 19:45

Yes I'm doing all the night wakings as I'm EBF. DP takes the kids in the morning and I get a couple more hours then.
I like the idea of a safe play area! Will give that a go. And yes, I think we can definitely throw teething in the mix. I know it's just a stage and will pass but the days just seem soooo long without naps to catch your breath (and eat a meal in peace).

OP posts:
BNV1 · 30/08/2019 15:08

My 8 month old boy doesn't like to go to sleep either but its because he's too excited and doesn't want to miss anything. I have found singing to him calms him down or playing soft music. Yep you could try and see if that helps

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