Baby screams before sleep

[Leaveallthistoyesterday]

DS is 4.5 months, has hit the dreaded sleep regression, but we are hanging on in there. The issue though is that he has a good 10-15 minutes of absolutely screaming before he will go to sleep - proper purple face and clenched fists. He naps well - can manage around 2h awake stretches during the day then a 1h nap, plus 2h at lunchtime. I cuddle/rock/sling/etc as soon as he shows signs of tiredness but we still go through the screaming first. The only time he doesn't scream is through the night - he wants a bottle at each wake up and then goes back to sleep quickly - and occasionally he'll drift off in the car.

I feel like there's no chance of him learning to self settle until we get past the screaming. Any ideas?! He has reflux, but it's under control with reflux formula and ranitidine, plus I'm not trying to put him down during the day.

Mine still does this at 10 mo, and is a hell of a lot bigger and stronger at 24lb now!

As for self settling, it's developmental and it's really too early for you to expect it

I’m lucky as my 4 month old self settles absolutely fine on his own at night time.

That's lovely for you @toasttea but it's not helping OP much is it

We went through the screaming too at the 4 month regression. He doesn't do it now at 6 months but I can't remember when it stopped. Seems so long ago now!

Still time for a regression toasttea 😁

Yes I’m waiting on it but my health visitor told me not all babies will regress! Not saying my son won’t just saying what the hv told me the other day.

Thanks all. I wouldn't expect self settling at this age, just worried that if this screaming continues then it'll never happen! Glad to hear some at least just outgrow it.