8 weeks old - naps

[Jillian123]

Hi all
First time mum here looking for some advice please. My 8 week old DS is formula fed, gaining weight and sleeps OK most nights (up every 2/3 hours, sometimes a stretch of 4 hours if we are lucky). But his daytime naps can be really erratic. I find that if he doesn't fall asleep straight from feeding, it is then hard to get him to sleep at all and often turns into a wake window, he will be chilled for the first while, then get more and more cranky until its time to feed again. I see people suggest sleep - feed - play routine, but I worry if we play with him or keep him awake after feeding, he then won't sleep at all and miss the nap fully. Is this normal at this stage and if not does anyone have any tips please?

Easier said than done but try not to stress. That routine sounds great if it works for you but if not, switch it round.

My little one’s naps have always been all over the place but he will always settle on me when he’s tired. It’s so hard to know what’s right - try to just relax into it, enjoy your gorgeous new baby and if you think he’s sleepy but fighting it, snuggle up together and get yourself a book.

If he doesn’t drop off, wrap up and go out in the pram. It will all fall into place eventually (then there will be another regression and it’ll all go to shit again 😂)

Sleep feed play is not a natural cycle for babies, it is a construct and will cause you stress. At 8 weeks old be led by baby and watch for sleepy cues like eye rubbing etc.

Thanks for replies feel better now 😊 constantly stuck between being led by baby or should I be trying to implement any routines yet 🙈

would just go with the flow and let him feed to sleep if he will. if not then sling / cuddles / anything else that works. my second DC never really had a routine, slept when tired and have only just started preventing a nap after a certain time in the afternoon and he is 17mo! First DC we stressed over routines and wake windows etc but it caused more worry than it's worth!