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(Almost) 4 month old naps and reliance on dummy

8 replies

017HF · 07/06/2021 22:19

My nearly 4 month old has slept well at night from day 1 near enough (fully aware how lucky I am!) but naps for the last couple of months have been a bit hit and miss. He will nap for 45 mins and waken up (regardless of whether he’s in his cot, bouncer, pram) and won’t go back over unless I lie with him on my chest in which case he will 90% of the time fall back asleep and nap for potentially a couple of hours in total, so he clearly is tired enough for a longish nap. I’m conscious of his wake windows and don’t let him stay awake for longer than 1.5 hours and he gets himself over to sleep for both naps and nighttime sleep with a dummy, although lately is has required a little more stroking and shushing that normal but he is left to get himself over once he’s calm and settled. Basically I’m just wondering if anyone has any tips re the naps - it isn’t the end of the world and as I mentioned already I know how fortunate I am with the nighttime sleep so if I have to rescue a few naps I’m happy to do so.

Secondly, re dummy use - I’m aware the 4 month sleep regression is likely looming. Am I making a rod for my own back with the dummy in that I’ll have to replace it every few hours when the regression hits? At the moment he sleeps from around 8pm-6pm, sometimes there’s a grumble or two during the night but if I pop his dummy back in he goes back over, but he doesn’t seem capable of getting back over himself without the dummy if he fully wakens up.

Any tips or pointers appreciated!

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Aprilwasverywet · 07/06/2021 22:21

Ime pop a few dummies in the cot. Very soon he will be able to put one back in!!

017HF · 07/06/2021 22:30

*8pm-6am - OOPS!

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017HF · 07/06/2021 22:32

Thanks @Aprilwasverywet - I’ll give that a try once he gets a bit better at grabbing things, or at least things that aren’t my hair!

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MrsBlondie · 07/06/2021 22:36

He is 4 months still a tiny baby. If there is no problem letting him sleep on you then do it.
Agree with dummies in the cot.

FATEdestiny · 07/06/2021 22:48

Dummies are the single best no-crying sleep solution if you want baby sleeping independently. Do not consider getting rid.

Naps - it's normal they shorten at this age. Baby needs to learn to link sleep cycles. When first stirring awake, put dummy back in and do a bit of patting and shushing to resettle into a second sleep cycle.

017HF · 08/06/2021 10:54

Thank you @MrsBlondie & @FATEdestiny - I should have said in my original post that I’ve no problem continuing with things as they are for now and letting him nap on me every now and then as I enjoy it and he gets a good sleep but am planning on going back to work reasonably soon so more just planning ahead really. I’ll give your tips a go and see how we get on - thanks again 😊

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MrsBlondie · 08/06/2021 10:56

@017HF aww just think that this passes so quickly. My youngest is now 8 and I remember so well her taking naps for about 2 hours on me (only used to be 30 mins if in buggy or cot).
I know its a cliché but enjoy it (my oldest is 15...and it doesnt get easier!!)

017HF · 08/06/2021 11:02

@MrsBlondie I know what you mean! My eldest (and only other child) is 9 and can’t believe how grown up he is already - they grow up far too quickly - and I know what you mean about it not getting easier!

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