So why doesn't DD want to sleep?

[MrsTittleMouse]

DD (11 weeks) doesn't like sleeping. She is absolutely exhausted, has just fed well, is warm and comfortable, but refuses to go to sleep for her naps. She sleeps well at night, and is in a really good mood in the morning, but gets more and more wound up through the day as she gets really overtired.
As DH pointed out, it's not as though she hasn't done her homework for school tomorrow. She can't have much to worry about. Is there any reason why some babies just don't seem to like sleep? She seems to be afraid of missing something, could that be right?

Some of them are just made that way, I think. My sister's DD didn't nap until she went to nursery (admittedly at 3 months) when she decided to conform with the other babies. My DD doesn't sleep much at nursery because there are too many toys to play with but is fine at home (where all is very boring!). Infuriating isn't it?! It is a shame babies don't read the books to learn what they are supposed to do!

It's nice to know we're not the only ones. Bless her, she's a complete sweetheart. She does everything else really well, she just doesn't sleep. I read the books and laugh! I also think back to 12 weeks ago, when I was under the sad impression that DD would sleep for 3 hours, then she'd wake up and I'd change and feed her, then she'd sleep for another 3 hours!!! Ha!
It's getting really exhausting though, as I can't get anything done in the day, I spend all my time entertaining her. We look at her in disbelief sometimes as we'd love to have the opportunity to nap!

I had exactly the same problem with my LO. Have you considered that she might be overtired? I know mine DD gets more and more wired as the day goes by if she isn't put down to sleep soon enough. Have you noticed how she'll seem tired then all of a sudden is completely wide awake and what I think looks like a 'drunk stage'ie gets a bit silly? If so she's probably slipped into overtiredness. At 11 weeks she should be up for about an hour and half max between feeds I'd have thought. You also need to give her 15 - 20 mins wind down time, keep it low key and give her the same routine before nap each time so that she learns to associate that with sleeping. Unfortunately my DD has now taken to sleeping terribly at night too which apparently is often attributed to poor daytime sleep so it's a vicious circle. I'd try and get her into the habit of sleeping during the day as soon as possible if I were you so you don't fall into the same trap that I'm in. Have you read the Baby Whisperer? She's quite good on sleep. Good luck

Hi Ginger,
I'm sure she's overtired. She will be falling asleep (yawning and eyes almost closed), but then we can see her struggling to keep her eyes open. She peeps too, to make sure that she's still around the action, and hasn't been put to bed. She's just too interested in what's going on! The best sleep that she gets is if I go out for lunch with my Mum and there's lots going on around her. Trouble is, in the day she winds herself up to such a state that then she can't sleep.
I shouldn't complain really, she definitely knows the difference between night and day; she feeds a lot less at night (has even gone through a couple of times) and after feeding goes right back to sleep in her cot. I think it's because she has learned that the night time is boring.
According to the BW website, she's too young for PUPD, so I don't really know what to do. We don't do stimulating things once she starts yawning or looking tired. We draw the curtains of her cot, so that it's dark and quiet. Not sure what else to do really...

My DS was like this. I used to pull my hair out during the day but honestly, with hindsight, if they sleep well at night you are very lucky. I have 2 DDs who both slept brilliantly during the day and never at night. Admittedly DD2 is still only 5 weeks but still ... On the constructive advice front: I found that when my DS got to about 3/4 months he started to sleep properly in the day too. Just persevere with taking your DD out for walks etc (when they usually fall asleep) and eventually it falls into place.

Hi Mrs, I don't have any more tips I'm affraid because nothing has worked for me. I've read all the books and tried allsorts but in the end decided to go with it and do what baby wants, I didn't have the energy to fight it. You're lucky that yours is sleeping at night, mine has decided being awake all day isn't enough, she wants to be up all night too! Admittedly she's developed pretty bad eczema and I think it's the itch that's disturbing her.

This last week her daytime sleep has improved slightly, I don't know if it's a coincidence but after weeks hanging over her cot trying to get her to sleep I decided that I'd make up a little nest for her in the living room because she seems to sleep better with a bit of noise and it means that I don't have to spend hours in the dark trying to get her to take a 30 min nap. (I can also spend the time looking at mn!) Maybe that would help, with the TV for company

Here's to a New Year with a bit of rest and plenty of sleep :O good luck

Hi. DD (10 weeks) falls asleep instantly in the car, and then won't wake for a walk around the shops, coffee at a friends house, but opens her eyes the minute we get home and I try to get on with something! infuriating
She has started to stay awake after her bath until her dream feed (which obviously now isn't a dream feed). She goes down fine after that, and sleeps well, but always seems knackered. any ideas?

Claire, get your friend to babysit while you go home and get on with your chores. :0

What's the rest of your day like? Is there any kind of pattern? DO you follow a bedtime routine? Perhaps she's napping too late in the day.

Claire, my DD was just like yours, except since this past week she stays awake in car rides and the buggy too!
She went to town today though, and loved it. So much going on, she had a GREAT nap this evening. I think I'm going to have to sign her up for every baby class going, I'm obviously not interesting enough for her.