4 month old sleep issue

[Anurulz]

First time mum here. My 4 month old has been getting more and more difficult to get to sleep at night since 2 weeks now. Previously, a dummy and 10 minutes of rocking before putting him to his crib was good enough till his ight time feed but now he literally fights me the moment I get him into the dark room. I try to get him into the bedroom when he starts showing signs of sleepiness but something just snaps when he gets to the bed. I have tried putting him in the crib when he is drowsy but awake but he starts crying and I have to get him into my arms again. Then his cries just keep getting worse as he gets sleepier and literally starts thrashing in my arms or in the crib. I tried cosleeping in a sleeping nest, keeping him as cool as I can to avoid overheating but no change. He is formula fed. I have tried using a projector to ease him into the darkness which I shut off after a bit. He gets a massage before his sleep time and I sing him lullabies at bedtime. I understand this is possibly sleep regression but I am at the end of my tether. He sleeps well through the night, waking for feeds and diaper change once he is asleep but the initial sleep is making me pull my hair and cry myself. His cries when am trying to get him to sleep are so pitiable, as though am torturing him and it breaks my heart to go through this every night. Any advice is appreciated..

Sounds like my DS who is now 2. He was a fab sleeper from birth for the first four months, slept through from 3 months then one day, BAM, sleep was for the weak. We tried everything, strict routine, no screens, sleeping music two hours before bedtime, rocking him and leaving him to cry it out. Nothing worked. I know it's not recommended but we just put him to bed with a film on his dvd player. Not brilliant but it gives us few hours to ourselves. I've just accepted now he is a terrible sleeper. Four months is normal for sleep regression, I believe it's down to a development spurt in their brain. My advice is to do what's best for you, and works for you. A happy mummy is a happy baby. It is difficult and I'm sure someone will come along soon with better advice, but just try different things until you hit on something that works. Good luck :)

Thanks for your response Whiskeylover and the advice. We are trying diff things with him, hoping something would stick lol..