At the end of my tether with baby’s naps

[tiredparent711]

My DS is 6.5 months old and normally a good sleeper, going down for naps fairly reliably and sleeping through the night or waking up once.

Today though he just hasn’t slept since he woke at 8am. I tried to put him down for a nap at 11 and he just would not sleep - he was babbling away for ages and then it turned into tears. I took him for a long walk in the pram hoping that would help, but he only napped from 12-12.30 then woke.

Now I’m trying to get him to sleep again (I put him down at 3pm) and he just won’t! It’s the same thing again - just babbling loudly to himself and not getting to sleep. He’s in exactly the same environment as he’s always had - same cot, white noise, everything.

Nothing has changed, so why is he suddenly unable to nap?! I’m feeling so frustrated as I’m shattered and was hoping for a bit of time to myself today

The constant noise and not getting a moment to myself today is really killing me. He’s been in his cot for half an hour now and is still just babbling and shouting really loudly to himself with no sign of tiredness whatsoever.

Do you think he might be coming down with something? That sometimes messes with naps. But maybe it will just be a one off today and tomorrow will be better. Early bed for him tonight so you get some quiet time!

I’m honestly on the verge of leaving him to cry it out - it’s relentless.

Do you think he might be coming down with something?

He seems absolutely fine when he’s on his playmat downstairs, so I doubt it? But how can I tell?

Do you stay while he goes to sleep normally? He might have grown out of that and need to be left. But I'd try that at the babbling stage, not when already crying. Fingers crossed it's a blip and he's back to normal tomorrow.

Google sleep cycles for his age.

8-11am may be too long between sleeps for him, I struggled with my daughter too and found that she slept much easier if I put her down to nap around 2 hours after waking. Otherwise she was over tired and just wouldn’t settle.

It’s soul destroying but it will pass

Thanks all. I know I sound horrible in my earlier post - I would never really leave him to cry it out. I’m just exhausted and at the end of my tether

No you don’t sound awful, I remember feeling exactly as you do now.

Here is an example after a quick search, but maybe try and put him down for his first nap 2 hours after waking and see how it goes?

Thank you @FastAndCurious. He finally went to sleep at 3.45 but has just woken up crying. This is so not like him

@tiredparent711

I’m honestly on the verge of leaving him to cry it out - it’s relentless.

Wow. You need to learn some patience. Your baby usually sleeps through and naps reliably and he's given you half a day of no naps and you're ready to leave him to cry it out!

He might just have a pain today or be uncomfortable. Just try to relax, he will pick up on your anxiety - I know it's difficult.

See how it is tomorrow, I'd say it needs to happen at least 3 days in a row for it to be a new pattern. A

Wow. You need to learn some patience. Your baby usually sleeps through and naps reliably and he's given you half a day of no naps and you're ready to leave him to cry it out!

Oh give me a break. I'm going through a load of other difficult stuff at the moment so don't need your judgment thanks. I said in a later post that I didn't mean it as well!

He might just have a pain today or be uncomfortable.

Thank you for the advice. I've given him some Teetha granules in case it's teething - not sure how effective they are though. I've taken him out in the pram again but will give him some Calpol when we're home if he's still unsettled.

This was me then and me again now at 1 year. It comes in waves. you get days like that sometimes. Can you get a break?

Also found the first nap of the day is often earlier than people think, an hour and a half or 2 hours after waking so may have missed the window. Or maybe he couldn't wind down today- just like we often can't! He will be okay and so will you! But you need a bit of space and an early night too.

@tiredparent711

He might just have a pain today or be uncomfortable.

Thank you for the advice. I've given him some Teetha granules in case it's teething - not sure how effective they are though. I've taken him out in the pram again but will give him some Calpol when we're home if he's still unsettled.

I always gave calpol if my son was uncharacteristically upset or didn't sleep at that age. You never know what's going on in their little bodies ❤️

Hopefully this is just one bad day x

My son is about a month older than yours and we had a day like that yesterday. I sympathise, its exhausting. Hes running a bit of a temp this evening so ive given him some calpol before putting him down for bed.

Sleeps and naps are the bain of my life too!

@tiredparent711

Thank you *@FastAndCurious*. He finally went to sleep at 3.45 but has just woken up crying. This is so not like him

This definitely sounds like teething or coming down with something. Hopefully he'll go to bed ok tonight and wake up feeling better tomorrow.

Thanks @Letsallscreamatthesistene - it’s so hard when they won’t nap isn’t it? He’s also had some Calpol and is going to bed in about half an hour. I’m really hoping he settles down ok. I need a break!

I agree it sounds like teething; baby nurofen is more effective than calpol. Like others, I tend to give it when I've fixed everything else that could be wrong and DS is still grumpy.

Thanks @TooMinty - hoping the Calpol will help!

I don’t have any baby nurofen here. Is that sold over the counter or would I need a prescription?

At least he takes calpol, my youngest used to spit it out 😂

Just seen I can buy the Nurofen from Boots.

Nurofen = Ibuprufen. You can get it in all the big supermarkets too.

Thanks for the advice. DS has been asleep since 7 - so happy to finally get a break!