Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Sleep

Join our Sleep forum for tips on creating a sleep routine for your baby or toddler. Need more advice on your childs development? Sign up to our Ages and Stages newsletter here.

Flip

Original poster

5 month old suddenly going berserk at naptime - teething?

16 replies

arthymum · 01/02/2009 12:08

Just when we were getting night-times sorted...

DS has always been a fairly good napper - I can generally put him down, give him a kiss and after a few minutes of shouting/talking/whinging he's fast asleep. But a few days ago he started getting really upset and it's getting worse. I think he was teething then - red cheeks, dribbling, biting on everything, dodgy poos, shaking head from side to side. The teething doesn't seem to be bothering him at the moment but when I put him down he screams and just wants to be picked up. I managed to get him to sleep eventually yesterday sshing and patting (but it took a very long time) but today he was in such a state that after an hour I took him out, calmed him down and went out with the pushchair.

I just don't know what to do. I haven't been able to get him to sleep by holding or rocking him since he was tiny. I don't relish the thought of walking six miles a day in the snow. Could he be associating the cot with pain now? (Though he's fine at night) I am terrified of the week ahead.

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

ChocOrange05 · 01/02/2009 12:12

Very interested in response as my 12 week old DS is behaving in exactly the same way (except teething symptoms) and at this very minute DH is trying to calm him for his lunchtime nap.

Sorry for hijacking!

Original poster

arthymum · 01/02/2009 12:16

Hi ChocOrange - not hijacking, solidarity! Horrid, isn't it? The next nap is due in half an hour and I'm not looking forward to it...

OP posts:

ChocOrange05 · 01/02/2009 12:19

We have just left him in his room screaming as we can't seem to calm him when we are there, we decided to give him 10 minutes to settle himself, we don't usually leave him crying that long but not sure what else to do, he calms when we pick him up but he won't fall asleep on us even though he's very tired.

I feel awful

Original poster

arthymum · 01/02/2009 12:30

Just a thought for you, Choc - but could it be that he can stay awake longer now and so isn't tired enough when you put him down? We're wondering that about DS.

Wishing you luck!

OP posts:

ChocOrange05 · 01/02/2009 12:37

He's knackered - we've just been swimming but he's just fighting it.

He cried for 7 mins then we had 5 mins of silence but he's just started up again . I'm not sure what to do as I think when we go in and sit with him it doesn't help him but I feel guilty if we don't.

Why can he settle himself so well at night but not in the day?!?!

ChocOrange05 · 01/02/2009 12:38

Just realised arthy, my hijacking has turned this into a support thread not an answers one!!

Lets hope someone can help!

Original poster

arthymum · 01/02/2009 12:42

Yes, I suspect I'll be on here in an hour's time, weeping on your e-shoulder! (That or walking through snowdrifts in the park...)

OP posts:

ChocOrange05 · 01/02/2009 13:34

well - after the re-crying he settled himself after 5 minutes and has been asleep since. Sometimes I think he is just a baby who needs to cry/whinge himself to sleep, although he doesn't do it at night .

Gosh this mothering business is confusing!

How was your DS's nap??

Original poster

arthymum · 01/02/2009 14:14

Surprisingly okay! We assumed teething due to dribbling and biting so gave him some Calpol. Daddy then settled him, letting him have his favourite caterpillar toy in sight! Been asleep for an hour now. Wish he'd do that for me these days! At least there is hope...You can tell I'm a first time mother - at the slightest change in behaviour, I'm terrified!

Our DS does usually cry a bit before he goes to sleep (during the day), always has done. As long as it's not full-blown, we let him get on with it for a bit and if it doesn't escalate. (Recent crying was different)

OP posts:

ChocOrange05 · 01/02/2009 14:29

arthy you sound like my mother-twin!! DS woke himself up after an hour and cried on/off for about 20 mins, he's been asleep now for 10 mins but its time to get up now!

I will persevere!!

Well done to your LO (and to you and DH!) on his nap - I have heard Nelsons Granules are good for teething.

ChocOrange05 · 01/02/2009 14:37

so despite the screaming and me leaving him I just woke him up and he gave me the loveliest smile - what a strange creature he is!!

Original poster

arthymum · 01/02/2009 15:06

2 hours later and still napping! DH dispatched to Boots for all manner of teething rememdies.

Don't know what to do with myself now..!

OP posts:

ChocOrange05 · 01/02/2009 15:54

well done to your DS!! tomorrow is another battle - shall we meet for moral support same time tomorrow?

Original poster

arthymum · 01/02/2009 18:21

Not sure about that ChocOrange - thanks to you I have been craving Terry's Chocolate Orange all day! (Mind you, if I have to walk for six miles tomorrow in sub-zero temperatures, think I'll deserve one! )

OP posts:

mom2ben · 01/02/2009 21:34

Hi,

I thought I would let you know that my 6 month old went through this about a month ago. He goes down for his naps with no problems (I just pop him in his cot and he snuggles up to his teddy and drifts off). but he suddenly started crying every time I put him down and if he did go to sleep, he would wake after 10-15mins. He also became really clingy during the day and I couldn't leave the room without him crying. I was at my wits end when suddenly, after about a week, a tooth popped out! After it had cut, his napping when back to normal - well as normal as before - he doesn't nap for longer than 30mins (but it's better than 10-15mins!).

Original poster

arthymum · 02/02/2009 09:22

Thanks Mom2ben - I do think ours is teeth-related too, I can actually see them lurking under the gums, poor little thing. Here's hoping they pop soon!

OP posts:

Flip