Bedtime is slowly breaking me

[tiredandveryhungry]

I have been trying to get my 5 month old to sleep since 6.30 and it’s not happening.

DH puts older child to bed and I put the baby to bed.

Bath time, get him ready and then feed him in bed. We currently co sleep.

The past few weeks he has woken up after 45 mins so I’ve gone back to feed him again and he’ll sleep for another 45 minutes and wake again. Then I just give in and get into bed with him.

His naps are roughly 9am, 12.30pm and about 4pm although I’m not as strict with the wake periods as I was with DS1 ( sent me loopy).

What am I doing wrong? Why am I finding it so hard to put him to bed?

Is he napping too much? If he naps at 4.pm then 6.30 seems quite soon afterwards. Maybe you could drop that evening nap and see if that helps.

I didn't want to read and run and I also don't want to sound harsh because I remember those newborn bedtime struggles - but he is only 5 months old. He may be going through a sleep regression or could he be starting to teethe? How does he normally sleep? I have never done co-sleeping or breastfeeding so can't comment on those but is he upset when he wakes, is he after comfort from you being near or do you think he is hungry?

Lastly, hang in there. You're doing absolutely nothing wrong. I'm sure one day it will just click back and you'll forget until the next time... And there almost definitely will be a next time.

for you!

Also pp is right. A 4 pm nap seems quite late if going to bed at 6.30. Could bedtime be put back later?

Thanks for your replies @Kanaloa @TrainTraining .

Yes you're both absolutely right and this could well be a factor. I was trying to have a 2 hour wake period between sleeps but maybe he's just not tired enough. Putting him to bed later would actually be better for us so I'll try that.

@TrainTraining he's completely reliant on having me next to him and has always been a clingy baby. I know 5 months is still so young and I don't really know why I expect him to go to sleep by himself. My first did ( although on the whole he was a much worse sleeper) so I just thought this one would do the same! Naive or what?!

I think you need to alternate with your DH. It isn't fair that you are getting the harder one every night. I did this with our eldest due to BF and looking back it was awful.
Now we have 2, we alternate so tonight I took DD and DH will take DS. Tomorrow DH will take DD and I will take DS.

It means both kids will accept either of us if the other isn't there, and DD takes a bit longer so is fairer.

Wel 6.30 is still day time and light at the moment, so it is probably too early.

@Vooga

Wel 6.30 is still day time and light at the moment, so it is probably too early.

I agree. Keep him up with you longer. He's still very tiny and needs to be near you.