Why will DS only settle for my DH

[hodgiebreeder]

OK, have to admit to feeling a little it put out here!!! Our lovely DS (10 months) is a bit of a nightmare sleeper at the moment. Fighting naps HARD and waking in the night. It seems he has decided that only daddy can settle him. I was up from 11.30-1.40 with him last night trying to settle him back to sleep. I eventually gave up passing him to DH and he was asleep and in his cot within 15mins!!! This is not the first time this has happened. Also with naps, I get about 30mins of screaming and shouting, DH a ten minute cuddle a few shhhs and he's asleep!!!

So what's going on here? Does DS feel more secure being rocked by DH because he's physically bigger? A touch of separation anxiety for his mum (I like to think it might be this one ) or am I just crap at this? Anyone else experienced similar?

Disclaimer: I know I should really be posting about the ACTUAL sleep problem not this little detail but it's really knocking my confidence..... Not to mention is a complete pain in the arse!! DH walking round like the cat who's got the cream

Not experienced it but don't worry, its changed and will change again. If DH is so good at settling him, then I think he should be the one getting up in t he night .

Are you always handing ds to dh after you have had a tough time with ds? Could it be that ds picks up that you are stressed by his behaviour and dh when he comes along is more relaxed as he hasn't been through it all. If dh was doing most of the caring and you then came along when ds was upset then you could probably sooth in a similar way.

I know with my dd (only 6 weeks) if I have had a tough day and she is inconsolable and I don't know why - I can give her to dh when he gets home and she turns into a little angel for him

Sometimes, it really can be just a change of person that works. I remember my (lovely) HV showing up one day when I was desperate and near to tears with DD1, who was fretting. The HV took her from me and had her settled in her pram in 2 minutes!

Also, my DDs did seem to like Daddy's chest for sleeping. I guess they felt very secure - DH is a tall broad man, and his big hands probably made them feel very safe and secure. They also made him the absolute master at getting wind out of a crotchety baby.

Look on the bright side - when DS wakes tonight, you can elbow DH in the ribs and let him get up to settle the baby while you go back to sleep