4 Month old nap times

[Slurpyburpy]

So we are just approaching the 4 month mark and for the past few days my baby has had the biggest melt downs to date! We were out shopping had only been there about 45 mins she was fine then out of nowhere a huge meltdown, refused feed and was inconsolable so we left, I calmed her as much as I could put her in the car and she went to sleep, got home happy as Larry.

Two days later she has another meltdown this one not so bad, took her upstairs laid on my bed and she calmed down and slept. Today at 7:30pm again out of nowhere another meltdown, this one lasted almost an hour, managed to settle her and she’s still sleeping (it’s 10:48pm) I’m going to assume this is sleep related, I think it’s my fault for not picking up on sleep ques during the day but she generally doesn’t show any until it’s too late and she starts fussing then crying. I have tried actively putting her down for naps but then she cries.

I feel stupid but am I missing something should I be now putting her to sleep at set times as her sleep pattern is maturing? On a night she’s amazing!! Lastnight was 8pm-3am and then 3:30am-8am!

I feel useless and like I’m a bad mum for not knowing what she needs but I find it hard to know her ques, she goes from happy to fuming in seconds 😩

You're doing great. Babies can sour incredibly quickly and turn into angry little gremlins. One of mine used to get furious before a nap but you couldn't get him to sleep earlier because he wasn't ready then. I'd just be aware of how long she's been awake and anticipate her getting cranky - e.g. if she's already been up for three hours I wouldn't choose that moment to try and do the Tesco shop. But otherwise I used to find either standing and swaying with them (and breastfeeding at the same time) sometimes helped if I got there early, or putting some music on and having a more vigorous dance if they were full blown mad, or if I was out going for a fast walk with them in the carrier tended to calm them enough (eventually) to then be able to feed them to sleep.

Entirely normal, Im surprised you haven’t had thst before and it isn’t going to stop anytime soon! I never put mine down for naps. I’d roughly plan my day around naps, put them in the carrier and get out and about.

Today was better, she had a baby group today I anticipated a meltdown but she did well. I spaced out her feeds by an hour and she managed to have a 2 hour nap and then x 2 30 minute naps and she seemed in better spirits.

Holding her on her side facing into my chest and doing butt pats seem to work to get her to sleep, I spoke to two girls who I know already in the baby class and they were saying theirs were awful for naps too and struggled a lot.

babies all should come with a manual that’s for sure 🤣