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Tired signs - will he be emotionally stunted if he is awake and alone

30 replies

Athrawes · 22/07/2010 07:43

I am trying to get used to tired signs as a signal to pop baby back into his bed. I am so afraid of the overtired baby who won't sleep that I may be putting him back to bed too soon, before he is really tired. Will he be emotionally stunted, a Romanian neglected in a nursery baby, if he lies there on his own for a while before falling asleep? I have the light on during the day and evening and a radio for him to have a constant background.

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Athrawes · 23/07/2010 09:52

Thanks everyone, truely MN is such a help when feeling a bit wobbly and alone

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CrazyOVERbaby · 23/07/2010 12:56

Hello Mrs. I know you've had lots of iseful advice, and have probably stopped watching this thread, but I just wanted to say that your little one sounds just like mine did. She's 7 weeks now, and sleeps great. I was at my wits end too, cos DD number 1 was the easiset sleeper ever, and required no effort. Turns out she was a freak of nature, and number 2 is much more the norm! She wouldn't ever sleep during the day and screamed merry hell if I ever put her down. Number 1 was in a (self imposed) routine from day one, and I thought that unless I shoe horned number 2 into a similar routine, she'd be a terrrrrrible sleeper. Nothing worked though, so against my instincts I bought a sling (I always thought they were a bit 'earth mother' and I'm the more 1950's 'routine, routine, routine type!!. I was terrified that she's become dependent on me to sleep if I let her fall off in there, but was desperate!

Turns out I needn;t have worried, she fell asleep in the sling and started having lovely long naps, then after about 3 weeks, she started to settle well in her cot on her own. Turns out she just needed her mum for a bit longer.

Do anything you need to in the first few weeks, but keep trying him in his basket or wherever you eventually want him to sleep. If you keep doing it, one day, it'll all click.

Good luck, you're doing great!!

Athrawes · 25/07/2010 09:50

Thanks everyone. Midwife suggested he is not getting enough hind milk - so I need to make sure to feed longer and get him that nice fat full with sleep inducing milk. Oop - that's him - been asleep an hour and a half - better go and greet the little princling!

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chiccadee · 25/07/2010 10:13

Flippin' midwives and HVs. I'm sure there are some good ones out there but this is all just a load of nonsense.

At this age, babies do not want to be put down. Full stop. It's a survival thing. He's just spent 9 months in a warm, cosy, noisy womb. Being in a quiet, cold Moses basket isn't going to be natural to him yet. Most babies teach themselves to settle at some point in the first 12 months or so (some take longer) - as with all other developmental milestones (sitting, crawling, walking), let your baby take the lead and learn this by himself. In the meantime, invest in a decent sling, strap him onto your front and get out there and meet up with some other mums. Enjoy it - he'll be a little boy before you know it.

chiccadee · 25/07/2010 10:15

Oh, and you'll get much better bfing advice from an NCT counsellor. Have you got a local group you can join?

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