DD is 15weeks old. Around 10/12 weeks she has gradually stopped napping wherever and whenever (which I understand is all normal). Before this should would always have a few short naps throughout the day and one long nap (2hours plus), this would be anywhere playmat, car, Pram, on me.
Now naps are so unpredictable, usually only 10-20mins long if I succeed, and it will take ages to actually get to that point. I wouldn’t mind the short naps, but she is so cranky on waking, that gradually through the day she becomes very overtired. Her awake windows are mostly spent feeding, crying, rubbing her eyes and trying to get her back to sleep. I’m trying to WFH, housework, play, make memories, but the days are quite tedious. I have tried using huckleberry to find the sweet spot, some days this works, but other days it’s a failure. The days she naps for substantial amounts of time (back to two short and one long), are so much easier and enjoyable.
She won’t nap in the pram (carrycot or seat) we do an hours walk a day, car (see below), she will do one nap in the morning in the next to me. I can sometimes get her to sleep on me, but that’s usually short lived too as she likes moving around in her sleep (and doesn’t help me get anything done). I’ve tried a sling / carrier but had to stop as I have plates in my collar bones, so can’t carry her for long periods. Dark rooms, white noise, rocking (again can only do this for x amount of time).
This has also had a huge impact on car journeys. She would usually fall asleep on them. Now she will claw at her face (have to place mits on), crying until she is sick, this escalates until I stop the car get her out and spend 15minutes calming her down. People have come out of their houses to check she is ok, because she is that hysterical and loud. Which is making me feel rather isolated. It’s like there is pins in her seat (I’ve checked and there isn’t)
My support bubble use to help out once a week. But now she is hysterical in the car I don’t like doing the journey. Plus I feel guilty for leaving my not napping, overtired baby.
My only saving grace is that she is good at night. (I’m grateful for this and know I’m lucky, and that it won’t last) Usually will go down between 8-9.30pm until 7.00-9.00am. There are occasions she will wake in the early hours but will usually go back down. This is when I eat my dinner, emails, work, housework and usually sit and enjoy my mini break. Which usually means I don’t go to bed until the early hours.
Has anyone got any advice on how to get better naps? Or naps at all? Self settling? I understand it won’t happen overnight, but just want to try something to encourage it now she is approaching 4 months. Before my arms and MH get to breaking point. I just want to be able to enjoy her awake times.