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Original poster

5MO always overtired

7 replies

Astrocilia · 01/12/2023 11:27

Hello everyone,
My 5 MO DS seems to be in a sleep debt since he was 3MO (growth spurt, then sleep regression). He sleeps an average of 10h at night (we co-sleep) but his day naps are a hit and miss (from 30min to 2h) using a sling. He's having 2.5 to 3.5h (rarely) of day naps. He does not seem to be satisfied regardless the amount of sleep. He will wake up breathing fast, crying and shortly after moving his legs and arms quickly, sticking his tongue out (and it is not for being hungry, he feeds after he wakes up). I struggle to engage him in any activity because of that, he does not seem to be interested in playing. All day feels like an effort to put him to sleep as it takes time to calm him down. His awake time is 90min and he will nap again.
I have contacted my HV and I am currently awaiting to hear back.
Any advice from fellow mums greatly appreciated.

OP posts:
Unic0rnSparkle0405 · 16/12/2023 01:58

Hi @Astrocilia

So sorry I don't have much advice but wanted to send solidarity as I'm in the exact same situation. My 5mo won't nap longer than 30/40 minutes therefore ends up overtired. I go by him and his sleepy ques for naps too! As a result his sleep is bad at night, it's exhausting. For daytime naps. I read to gently rouse him just before I know he is going to wake up to try and send him over to the next sleep cycle but no matter how gentle I am he wakes up everytime, tried this for nearly two weeks. It might work for you though (if you haven't tried this already), I know each baby is different

Hang on in there and hope this improves for us both soon x

shivawn · 16/12/2023 02:12

I can't remember what wake windows we had at this age although I do remember it was a 3 nap schedule. For what it's worth though, short naps are pretty normal for 5 months olds, most babies area bit older before they're developmentally ready to start linking sleep cycles. My son used to always wake after 38 minutes exactly and then around 6-7 months he started sleeping for an hour and 20 minutes at a time. Now he's a 2 year old and I often have to wake him up when his nap time is getting close to the 3 hour mark.

3-5 months is a tough time for sleep (I have a newborn now so I'm bracing myself for the next 6 months) but it does get better. If you think he's overtired could you try putting him down a bit earlier at night?

JollyHostess101 · 16/12/2023 02:17

Not a lot of advice but just to say I’m in the same boa!

I’ve had some napping success using Huckleberry app and if she’s not down within 20mins of predicted time I either out her in the carrier or pram and head outside and 99% of the time it sends her off!

I’d love her to be able to nap for longer and hoping it’ll come 🤞 as she doesn’t go down very early which makes the days very very long!!

Original poster
Astrocilia · 16/12/2023 11:22

JollyHostess101 · 16/12/2023 02:17

Not a lot of advice but just to say I’m in the same boa!

I’ve had some napping success using Huckleberry app and if she’s not down within 20mins of predicted time I either out her in the carrier or pram and head outside and 99% of the time it sends her off!

I’d love her to be able to nap for longer and hoping it’ll come 🤞 as she doesn’t go down very early which makes the days very very long!!

Thank you JollyHostess.
I am using Huckleberry as baby always tired so impossible to resd cues. His nsps are 30min to 2h. Usually a mix of various durations but there are days with 4x30min naps which ends up to a meltdown at night time.

OP posts:
Original poster
Astrocilia · 16/12/2023 11:25

Unic0rnSparkle0405 · 16/12/2023 01:58

Hi @Astrocilia

So sorry I don't have much advice but wanted to send solidarity as I'm in the exact same situation. My 5mo won't nap longer than 30/40 minutes therefore ends up overtired. I go by him and his sleepy ques for naps too! As a result his sleep is bad at night, it's exhausting. For daytime naps. I read to gently rouse him just before I know he is going to wake up to try and send him over to the next sleep cycle but no matter how gentle I am he wakes up everytime, tried this for nearly two weeks. It might work for you though (if you haven't tried this already), I know each baby is different

Hang on in there and hope this improves for us both soon x

Thank you.
I hope this continues to work for you. I will give it a go but might be tricky as he is sometimes taking 2h naps.
Nighttime also bad at the moment. Very challenging to put him to sleep at night.
I hope things get better for both of us.

OP posts:
Original poster
Astrocilia · 16/12/2023 11:30

shivawn · 16/12/2023 02:12

I can't remember what wake windows we had at this age although I do remember it was a 3 nap schedule. For what it's worth though, short naps are pretty normal for 5 months olds, most babies area bit older before they're developmentally ready to start linking sleep cycles. My son used to always wake after 38 minutes exactly and then around 6-7 months he started sleeping for an hour and 20 minutes at a time. Now he's a 2 year old and I often have to wake him up when his nap time is getting close to the 3 hour mark.

3-5 months is a tough time for sleep (I have a newborn now so I'm bracing myself for the next 6 months) but it does get better. If you think he's overtired could you try putting him down a bit earlier at night?

Thank you. And helpful to know things get better. I try to bring bedtime earlier but he is fighting sleep so he ends up sleeping for the night at different times every day. I start routine at 6pm. Pyjamas, feed, gentle massage. He feeds to sleep in the end which causes wind issues.

OP posts:
JollyHostess101 · 16/12/2023 11:42

Astrocilia · 16/12/2023 11:22

Thank you JollyHostess.
I am using Huckleberry as baby always tired so impossible to resd cues. His nsps are 30min to 2h. Usually a mix of various durations but there are days with 4x30min naps which ends up to a meltdown at night time.

Show quote history

Us too! Ours doesn’t go down til super late like midnight or later some nights!!

I’ve been starting to pop her in her summer lightweight sleep sack and into cot and white noise on at the 15 mins reminder and am having some success if I sit on the bed she 80% self settles to sleep!! I’m by no means an expert but this seems to be working at the moment

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