15 month old won't sleep longer than an hour in cot, resettle advice?

[bebobi]

Hi mumsnetters,

I have a 15 month old who has always contact napped and co-slept. She started going to a childminder during the week a few months ago and happily takes a 3 hour nap in a cot there without an issue. I decided to start putting her in her cot for her midday nap of a weekend now, with the idea of moving there for night-time sleep eventually.
She generally cries for 1 or 2 minutes before rolling over and falling asleep, however, I can’t get her to sleep for longer than an hour or so. She’ll wake crying and I can’t seem to resettle her. She will continue her nap on me, which I can live with, but I didn’t know if anyone had any advice? She definitely needs more than an hours nap during the day. I’m sure some will say I have created this from the contact naps and co-sleeping but it’s what I’ve had to do to survive up until this point.

Thank you in advance.

Hi,

No real advice, just a handhold and to say that it's hard and your doing everything you can I think? no judgement here for contact naps.
How is her sleep at night? Does she sleep through? What time are her bed and wake times?
I feel like kids are a puzzle to work out sometimes lol every kid is different, and change all the time. Just when we think we've worked it out- it changes!!
Is the set-up for naps at the childminders similar to yours? (Eg, lighting, noise, etc)?

Thank you so much. I'm not a silly person, but when it comes to baby sleep I feel clueless!!! It's really bloody hard.

Night time sleep is crap. She's restless, waking every few hours to breastfeed, wanting to sleep latched on, the works. She'll go down about 7.30/8 and wakes at 6.30. These timings are due to co-sleeping, I can't even get her to sleep and slip out of bed as she wakes up. She would get much more restful sleep in her own space now, I feel. Plus I would get my evenings back, which now I'm working would be a dream come true!

I've replicated the atmosphere the best I can. I guess I will just keep on with what I'm doing, the fact she will even sleep for an hour in the cot is a massive improvement. My only other thought is try and push through the crying, sit and support her? Though I found this made things worse with putting her to sleep. She does better with me laying her down, and leaving her be. As with everything, maybe time will improve things!? Agh!

I wish I could advise more, but I'm a bit rubbish I think. I'm sorry, I'm hoping someone comes along with better advice!

I have a friend who is breastfeeding her little one who is nearly one, she's really struggling with sleep too.
My friend said that her baby wakes frequently through the night to breastfeed - but she thinks he's not feeding as such, it's more for comfort. Does your little one actually properly feed through the night?

Someone else I know did the 'leave them to cry it out' thing - I know not everyone agrees with this (I think I would find it too difficult), but she now says that her daughter goes to sleep straight away in her cot in her own room (pretty much) and sleeps through the night.

It's really hard. Especially breastfeeding and working too, you must be exhausted. I think, eventually it will all fall into place, (hopefully anyway!) your doing the best you can we just have to do what we can do to get through.
Sorry I can't be more helpful x

I am in the same boat!
No advice really, I am having a rough month with my 13 month old who has been waking 11 times a night, still feeding and having to resort to co-sleeping, which is strange for my baby as he never wanted/needed to go-sleep unlike my two older children...
He is my third baby and all of my babies have done this at some point!

I just have to keep telling myself, I will never regret waking up and meeting their needs in the night. Before you know it, this tough phase will pass and they will sleep!

You have my sympathy!! I'm right there with you!!! Working also makes it extra tough! And the feeling that it's all on you, especially if you're feeding, it's very lonely and isolating.

Just wanted to say I'm in exactly the same position. My 13 month old co sleeps with me. She is a terrible sleeper, I was awake nearly all night last night after her wanting to remain latched on nearly all night. As soon as I move to get comfortable she wakes again and nothing soothes her until I breastfeed again. I thought we were seeing some improvement recently but it's gone to pot again. I'm up and down like a yoyo in the evening until I give in and go to bed and then I'm awake constantly. I'm absolutely exhausted today after a really bad night last night.

So no advice, just to say you're not alone. My son was bad but not this bad. He gave me two hour blocks until I stopped feeding at around 13 months due to illness.

I'm stumped and no idea what to do. I'm tired and go back to work in a week. My husband managed to get her to sleep twice last week as I was out, so I might have to bite the bullet and just stop and let him deal with her for a while 😞😞 I really don't want to stop feeding but I'm at a loss!

Have rambled sorry...Solidarity!

All of you need the Ferber sleep training book.