8 week old naps

[amy1313]

Hi, just wondering if anyone can give some advice. My DS is 8 weeks old and was always a bad napper. He goes to sleep relatively easily (sometimes completely by himself, sometimes with dummy, sometimes me shushing and patting him) but then wakes himself up within 5-10 minutes. He just doesn't seem to be able to go into a deep sleep. Very occasionally he'll nap for 30-40 minutes but that's the longest he's ever done. He'll nap longer in the pram if moving or in the sling if I'm walking at a steady pace, and occasionally on me sitting down.

Does anyone have any suggestions on what to try. I tried dummy, white noise, in the moses basket downstairs, in the cot in dark room upstairs (with me staying with him). Nothing seems to make a difference. Is it just a question of time?

My DD was difficult to get to sleep at this age but once she was off she'd sleep an hour or two, so at a bit of a loss what to do. I can't take him out for a walk for every nap. I'd love to have a rest when he naps (he's not great at night either so I'm shattered) but it's just not possible and I'm starting to really struggle.

All sounds very normal! Think you got lucky with your DD!!
At that age my DD would only sleep for longer stretches on someone or in the sling. She couldn’t link her sleep cycles (which for babies is 30-40 mins) so when she stirred I would rock her or feed her back to sleep and then she would be out for another cycle. If you want longer stretches you might have to help him get back into another cycle each time.
Can you safely sleep next to him? That’s one way of getting a bit of sleep whilst he sleeps. You can snooze and sense him stirring then shush/pat him back and maybe go back yourself?

Thanks for your reply @Brightandbreezey!

I will try that, although even the 30-40 minutes are rare if he's put down at home, so I doubt I'd get much rest.

@Brightandbreezey did your DD get better at naps eventually?

Yes she does nap a lot better now. It’s taken a long time though… only in the last few months and she’s 15 months old!! Things got better around 12 months I think. I BF her still and lie on the bed with her until she’s gone then creep out and leave her with the monitor on. She will now nap for 1 1/2-2 hours without me so it’s much better now! I know it’s hard but I think linking their sleep cycles themselves is just a development thing and they learn it when they are ready! My DD was quite late with it I think, I’ve heard of babies of being able to link cycles a lot younger and your DD obviously got the hang of it early!

I meant to also say…It’s so tough! Is there anyone that can take the LO on the day for an hour or two so you can get a bit of rest?

Thank you! ❤️

Glad it's better with your DD now! Yes I think I didn't realise how easy I had it with my DD. We had ups and downs but overall she was sleeping very well from an early age.

Yes, my mum is helping occasionally but she has other commitments too so can't come over with any regularity.