Does white noise work for naps? Best way to blackout room?

[milkyjo]

My 5 month old is driving me up the wall with the nap struggles every day. It takes about 45 minutes to get him to go to sleep and he'll only stay down for 30 minutes. I have tried everything except white noise, so before I scrape up the pennies to buy a cd can anyone tell me whether it works and how loud it should be? We have a cd player that won't play recorded cds otherwise I would loop a track I've recorded myself. He will stay asleep/ self soothe at night so I was also wondering if it was because of the darkness, we bought a blackout blind but the company should be sued for false advertising as it does jack! If anyone has a better idea to block out the light also as he is really outgrowing the crib and will be in his own room soon, which has the sun streaming in all day!
Thanks x

Yes, white noise works. I used to just turn the hair dryer on for a bit although DS was a bit younger at the time.

Grobag do a blackout thing that sticks to the window with suction cups. Wasn't quite big enough for our window but still helped. www.gro-store.co.uk/out-about/overnight-stays/gro-anywhere-blind.html

White noise worked with my DS but he was younger - I used to just use the radio not tuned in properly so it just did that hissing fuzzy noise. Hadn't white noise supposed to mimic the sounds in the womb so tends to work better with younger babies though? I would say trying to find a better blackout blind might be a better option - although like you the one I tried wasn't great so I can't advise on which one to get!

I have this. I have left it up for months. Cut it carefully and use it as well as blinds / curtains. works very very well. Also, block light coming in above and under door if necessary, a snake draft excluder is good for the bottem and a piece of card board taped to the top.

I had the same issues with my 16 week old, she wouldn't nap and out of sheer frustration one weekend I attacked our bedroom window with kitchen foil and now she will nap 4 times a day. I do nurse or cradle her but it takes 5 minutes for her to wind down and fall asleep where as before it was just too light for her to want to shut her eyes...

With the white noise, I downloaded it from the internet and put it on my iPod and made a play list so it goes for hours. I'm not sure it helps her get to sleep but it definitely helps her to stay asleep by blocking out the other noises and just leaving her with the white noise she is used to.

V-Tech do a cute dog toy called Scout which does environmental sounds and lullabys which my 10 mo DD loves, also doubles up as a 'snuggly' and of course is entirely portable so goes with her when she stops over at my Mums.

Whilst I totally feel your pain about nap times I have never understood why people want to get their DC accustomed to sleeping only in the pitch black, surely you can't replicate that when you're out and about/stopping at other people's homes, seems insane to me.

YES! We use white noise for naps and on a 15 min timer for going to sleep at night. Best purchase I ever made. We have a little white noise machine which cost about £25 - can't remember where I got if from I'm afraid!

Just to add - my DS is almost 7m.

Our DD is 5 months old (today in fact) and although she is amazingly good and sleeps all through the night pretty much every night (sorry, not trying to rub it in hehe) we did purchase a "Ewan the Dream Sheep" for the nights when she is a little unsettled and is finding it difficult to get to sleep.

Here's a link to it and it really is a brilliant thing:

www.amazon.co.uk/Easidream-Ewan-the-Dream-Sheep/dp/B0040JSN7Y/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1305556165&sr=8-1

If you don't have the money then try the techniques explained here:

The 5 "S's": How to Turn on Your Baby's Calming Reflex

1. Swaddling: Wrapping makes your baby feel magically returned to the womb and it will keep your baby from flailing his/her arms. If not done correctly, the baby may cry even harder. Remember to swaddle snuggly. Loose blankets may be a choking risk. Also, don't overheat your baby. (Babies should never be sweaty and flushed.)

1. Side/Stomach: Newborns are easier to calm when they're lying on their side or stomach. This triggers the calming reflex by imitating your baby's position in the uterus. Lying a baby on his/her back can sometimes trigger a falling reflex and make your baby feel insecure. Keep in mind the side/stomach position is great for calming crying, but babies should only sleep on their backs.

1. Shhhh: "Shhhh"ing your baby imitates the sound he/she heard in your uterus, which was as loud as a vacuum cleaner. Place your mouth two to four inches from your baby's ear and make the "shhhh" sound. It must be loud enough to match the sound of your baby's crying, or he/she won't hear it.

1. Swinging: Rhythmic moving imitates the jiggling your baby felt inside the uterus and activates the calming reflex. Ways to use motion are: baby slings and carriers, dancing, infant swings, rocking, car rides, bouncy seats.

1. Sucking: Putting a pacifier, finger or breast into a baby's mouth satisfies hunger and turns on the calming reflex.

For more information about Dr. Karp and his techniques for calming crying babies, go to www.thehappiestbaby.com.

Hope this helps

:o)

Thanks everyone for your replies. Think I might try Ewan the Dream Sheep as it has got some good reviews on Amazon. I will buy some cheap blackout material from Dunelm as I am handy with a needle and thread and create a better blackout for his room, and try to get him down for a nap there once it's sorted! There is one sure fire way to get him to sleep and that is to let him breastfeed, I let him nap on me at least once a day just to ensure he's catching up on his sleep! The only problem is I can't then get up and leave him, even if we lie on the bed - he HAS to have my nipple in his mouth! I have just got him down for his last nap of the day and used the radio not tuned in and could be coincidence but he went off quickly, we'll see after 30 minutes....

He woke up on Monday but it was half 5 so didn't want him sleeping any longer. Yesterday he had a good nearly 2 hour nap and today he has had 1.5 hour nap this morning. We are currently on only the 2nd nap of the day (usually 3rd by this time). My only regret is I wish I had done this sooner!

just a word of caution - it is not always easy to replicate total blackout when you are away so try over time to wean him off the need for it or you'll have to invest in some of those portable blackout things and hope for the best.