11 week old refusal to nap - growth spurt?

[Gerty1002]

I can't complain about DS' nighttime sleep as on a good night he generally sleeps from 7:30pm until 6am, maybe waking once or twice for his dummy.

However, for the last week I feel like I have spent about 50% of my days trying to get him to nap! I try to catch him as soon as he shows signs of tiredness, give him his dummy and sometimes (rarely) he goes out like a light. Most of the time I'm sat rocking and shushing him for what feels like ages, put him down when he seems settled then ten minutes later he wakes and the cycle repeats! He's definitely still tired as he is yawning a lot and whingey, and gets progressively more so throughout the day.

I know a lot of babies will only sleep on their parents but DS has never been like that and, quite frankly, he's too heavy for me to hold all the time - he's about 16 lb already.

Anyone have any suggestions? Only place he will reliably sleep is in the pram but only outside walking. No matter how smooth I try to make the transition he's awake as soon as we get through the front door!

He seems to be feeding more often and just started lifting himself up during tummy time... could it be a growth spurt/developmental leap?

Might be a growth spurt etc.

Thought i'd share what worked for me. My dd wouldnt nap either though what i'd give for a nightime like yoirs!

For a week, i focused on morning nap as it was hardest. I watched her sleepy signals and worked out she got tired about 9/10am (awake at 6/7am). I put her in my sling as it was only way she'd sleep. She started to learn that was nap time. After a week, i'd hold her close to me in same position as sling. She'd fall asleep and i'd put her down. Now she just puts herself to sleep for morning nap.

Now to work on afternoon!

...also have you tried putting the pram beside an open window when you get in? Reduces change in noise and temprature.

I worked this out this week as i currently walk dd for her afternoon nap!

I haven't got a sling, not sure if it would be as snug for DS as he's so big, he's in 6-9 months clothes already. Also it would break my back!

I didn't mention in my OP that he has croup... just got diagnosed yesterday and it hasn't disturbed his nighttime sleep at all so didn't think it could be that. However that could be affecting it, his chest always sounds better once he has relaxed into a deep sleep and he's so exhausted by nighttime it's easier to get him to sleep, especially after a nice warm bath.

Thanks for your reply! Will try the window thing, though it feels wrong in winter haha.

Omg how did you get that nighttime routine. My DS is up 2 hourly at 11 weeks, just shattered

It happened by accident! A few times in week 8, when he had already got down to one feed a night, he would fall asleep with his dummy by the time I came back upstairs with his bottle and wake for it an hour or two later. This process gradually got later and later and for the past week and a half we've had no feeds before 6am!

I was worried it was too early for him to go so long without food but he started to feed more frequently in the day so still drinks 8-9oz five times a day.

I am two hourly too...well jealous!

Ps. Yep i know seems harsh in winter! Put radio on low, open window then after 10 minutes, close window & leave radio on. Take off excess blankets. Works most of the time for me.

Make sure you try it 2 or 3 times before u give up. Might not work first time!

Well it certainly didn't work first time but I shall persevere!

Now he won't even stay asleep in his pram outside for any longer than half an hour! I only seem to get my happy baby in the morning now as he gets gradually more exhausted throughout the day