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What to do with a baby who refuses sleep?

2 replies

Nomoremike · 26/04/2024 17:24

Exactly as the title says …

DD is 6 months. Refuses to sleep, fights all naps. Has been this way since around 10 weeks or so and it’s continued but I’ve managed to get her down in the sling, now this doesn’t even work.

DD will be tired from the minute she wakes up until the minute she goes to bed. My day is spent trying to get her down for naps that she just refuses. She’s clearly tired, rubbing eyes, closing them while drinking bottle, yawning etc but no matter what I do she just won’t sleep.

if I do manage to get her down it will be for around 30 minutes in the sling, then she’s awake again. Then because she fell asleep through exhaustion and didn’t have long enough, she’s then upset when she wakes up. Trying to get her back down doesn’t work just makes it worse.

pram, car seat, and crib aren’t options. She will only go down in the sling but that’s after one hell of a fight.

I have got the point where I think I need to start something like pick up put down. When she’s well rested she is really happy and in general is a smiley baby but it quickly goes from 0-100 with being upset as she wants to sleep but can’t.

there’s no underlying issues like reflux. Possibly teething but my understanding is that the teeth are always moving at this age until they pop up (as health visitor explained to me). Has started weaning and having regular bottles. Doesn’t really cry as in tears etc this is only when absolutely exhausted, but gets upset until I pick her up and put her in the sling and then as she’s not comfortable enough in the sling (as she wants to be laying down but can’t fall asleep in her crib), she will fight the nap in the sling.

feel as though I’m going round in circles every day trying to help a tired baby who just won’t sleep no matter what I do. Have tried a strict routine, doesn’t work. Have tried wake windows, sleepy cues, nothing works. I feel like a crap mum knowing my baby is tired but won’t go down unless exhausted.

does anyone have tips or advice on what I can try?

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
CadyEastman · 26/04/2024 22:08

It's not because you're doing anything wrong, some babies are just like this.

If she's closing her eyes whilst she's drinking a bottle, will she sleep in your arms?

NuffSaidSam · 26/04/2024 22:12

I'd try just living your life and having her fit in with you. It sounds like the whole nap thing is massively stressful for both of you and she's still not sleeping? So just stop. Go out and about with her in car/pram/sling as you want to, cuddle her, give her some time on the floor, take her to bed for a lie down if you want one and let her sleep as and when she will.

How is her sleep overnight?

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