4 mo hates bedtime - help!

[mummysquirrel]

My DD is just over 4 mths and every time I put her in her cot at 7pm-ish she screams (unless she's spark out so none the wiser). The weird thing is, she's happy to go back to her cot and send herself off to sleep unaided when I put her down after her night feeds, no matter how awake she is. So what happens at the 7pm one? I brstfeed her in the dark till she's snoozy, but as soon as her head hits the cot she kicks off.
Anyone had similar experience and/or a solution?!

probably not ready to sleep at 7pm. She doesn't want to leave you and be alone. She is only 4 months old.

Is she too tired?

How about bf her in dimmed light rather than the dark. I used to bf dd in the dark and she used to do the same thing. She would also settle herself easily during the night.

I then bf her by dimmed light and then gave her to dh to settle her. She'd be awake when I handed her over and he'd just lay her down and hold her body firmly so she felt secure and eventually fell asleep.

is there a time when she will go to bed happily? put her down at that time for a few nights, then each week move the time forward 15 mins till you are both happier.
when i decided to actually have a bedtime, rather than just taking her up when i went, it started off at about 9 ish. putting her down in her own bed and stayed in the room with her, as she was sleeping in our room still anyway. when she gets used to that, just move the time.
it worked for me

Thanks so much, will try feeding with light dimmed rather than total darkness and passing her over to DH to settle. I'm certain she's tired when I put her to bed - I don't bother unless all the signs are there and it's usually around 7ish but can be earlier or later, depending on how she slept that day.

Bless her little cotton socks - take heart, she will get used to it over time - its probably just a little stage that she will get over and you will look back in the future and forget she ever had a problem. I used to keep my warm hand on little un's head whilst putting him down and gradually take it away after a few minutes - aching arm but peaceful evening - he is 2 and 1/2 now.

Give her something to snuggle or place your hand on her chest you have gone from breast to cold bed with little warning - think snuggly!