All tips welcome!!!!

[user1492964816]

Hello

My little one is nearly 5 months old. He's not bad at night but has never slept through solidly. He still has a feed in the night (bottle) usually about 4am. We recently had issues where he was waking up hourly but I think it may have been cold related. However now we have a new habit! He is wide awake after his feed. I have to pop him in his crib and hold onto his arms and legs otherwise he will fidget and fidget and fidget and will not sleep. He used to have his arms swaddled, and I was hoping to get away from that, but don't know if I should swaddle him again at this age? He goes to bed about 7-7.30, his napping in the day is a little up and down. Anyone got some tips or advice to make sure he settles better? I know at some point they can self soothe but he's just so awake! Thank you

If he has previously liked being swaddled and it calms him, I would.

At this age I probably would swaddle with a muslin or sheet, not one of those they are zipped into.

A tightly tucked in across-ways sheet may help too.

Have you got the wonder weeks app? I'm sure there's a developmental leap around your son's age and that would probably answer why he just wants to stay awake and practice his new skills rather than sleep!

If it is a leap there's not much you can do. In terms of self-settling help, my DS has to have his comforter to fall asleep. He holds it and rubs it on his face and he's out like a light! He also won't fall asleep without his dummy but spits it out when he's asleep and only has it for night sleeps and naps!

They generally start forming an attachment to a comfort item like a blanket or teddy bear when they near 6 months and I've read that it can really help to give them that item whilst they fall asleep.

Good luck! x

Thank you both :) x