Baby whisperer PU/PD technique

[Margie32]

I was wondering if anyone has used the Baby Whisperer pick up/put down technique for getting their DCs to sleep? Does it work?

My DS is 4 months old and has suddenly decided he will not nap in his cot during the day. Sometimes I can get 20 minutes out of him, but then he wakes up crying and it's obvious that he's still tired. He'll usually sleep if he's in his pram, but I'd really like to get him to nap in his cot. The Baby Whisperer technique seems worth a try, but I'd love to hear from anyone who's given it a go.

Yes. It worked for me with DD. And then not with DS

He's probably teething. Or he doesn't like napping. DS would only nap on the move so I used to fling him in the buggy and walk, or drive around till he zonked out to get a really good sleep out of him.

Good luck, don't worry, this bit is hard but in a few months it gets much easier (in some respects) :)

Thanks very much wmmc. Like your DS, mine sleeps fine when he's on the move...at least the weather's good at the moment so it's nice to take him out in the pram.

I can't really complain as he sleeps really well at night, it would just be nice to be able to put him down in his cot during the day so I could get some stuff done around the house.

Well wait three weeks and see if it changes. They are totally random you know

PU/PD is recommended in the books for babies over 6 months. For babies younger than that Tracey Hogg believed it is too stimulating. She recommended the Shhh/Pat method for younger babies. Basically dont take them out of the cot, just gently rub their backs while shhhhhhing close to the ear until they calm down then continue it as they start to drift again.

You could also try starting a naptime ritual/routine. Nappy change, cuddle, into sleeping bag, turn on mobile, down into cot. leave the room. and cross your fingers

I agree with the wait and see approach! My DS (now 6 months) is exactly like yours and since about 4 months has only napped for 30 mins at a time, about 3-4 times a day. Drove me mad, but at least he was mostly cheerful still. However, over the last week, his lunchtime nap has been lengthening (yesterday was 1.5 hours!) and he's going down for his other naps a lot easier. There is a sleep regression at 4 months and while it didn't seem to affect DS's nighttime sleep, I think it had it's impact on his daytime sleep. Plus, teething, new skills (rolling, crawling etc) and just a general heightening of their awareness of everything that is around seems to hinder rest! I'm quickly learning to go with the flow because just as I think he's fallen into a pattern, he changes! I say stick with what works and then at least he's getting the sleep.

I did shh-pat & PU/PD with DD1 & both worked well for us. we alsohad a nap-time routine (story & cuddle in darkened room) and used white noise alot when she wouldn't settle.

As it's such nice weather, I'd be tempted just to take him out in he pram to make sure he gets a decent nap & try in the cot again next week (be honest, you don't really want to be doing housework do you?!). There are so many things (that the others have mentioned) which can disrupt their sleep it's sometimes not worth worrying about fixing it too much!