Baby Jerks himself awake constantly and this messes up naptime

[lynniep]

I know tiny babies usually have this - mine certainly did. But he still seems to have it at 11 weeks and its so frustrating for both of us.
Fortunately its only at naptime. But he's so tired poor thing. Today for instace I put him down in his hammck at 2pm and he slept for his standard nap, whih is half an hour. I then try to get him back to sleep because he's yawning and complaining.

I spent about an hour today rocking him. He'd drop off after about 5 minutes, then 20 seconds later his arms would jerk and we'd have to start again, each time him getting more upset. I hnever had this with DS1. It will go surely wont it??!

Have you tried swaddling him?

DD still does this at 8mo.

DD1 used to do this and didn't nap well until she was 6 months. Swaddled DD2 from the beginning because of this and she is a great sleeper.

Swaddle - much tighter than you think. We started swaddling DS2 at this age and it was a revelation! I get quite evangelical about it, it made such a huge difference. Please give it a go!

Don't start thinking he's too old either - DS2 was swaddled till 7 months at least.

Pin his arms to his sides and wrap him up really tightly. It sounds barbaric but it works so well, and after a while DS2 would almost sigh with relief as we did it, as he found it so hard to switch off otherwise.

I used a piece of stretchy jersey t shirt material that I got from John Lewis, but cellular blankets are good too - anything with a bit of stretch that won't get too hot.

Hope it works for you.

Might be critised for this but have you tried putting him on his front? DS was like this and I'm sure it contributed to his poor sleep, until I put him on his front. (yes I know the SIDS advice but did it anyway as we had no other factors and front-sleeping alone didn't seem enough of a risk as his head control was v good).

thanks for responses. I'll try swaddling again. I did it previously when he was really small, but he started fighting and getting himself hysterical. Of course that doesnt mean he'll do that now so its worth a shot (didnt occur to me to try again)

On his front - no he doesnt like being on his front, he just flails around wailing - although if he's in my bed he sleeps on his side (mostly because he breastfeeds) but thats only early morning. For the rest of the time he sleeps in his hammock so he cant go on his front because he'd be in a 'u' shape

swaddle with one hand poking out (elbow in)

it gave mine enough wiggle room not to panic and squawk becasue they couldn't move, and enough security not to startle and wake up.

My DS is six months - is it too late to start swaddling? I didn't do it when he was first born as it was July and I was afraid of him overheating, but he's the very devil to get to nap. So I'll try anything once!

Worth a try I'd say. I've never heard of anyone starting this late, but my ds was certainly still swaddled at that age, and no harm done if it doesn't work.

Lynniep - let us know how you get on. DS2 used to fight it like mad for a couple of minutes, then pass out for ages! He stopped fighting it after a bit but he did fight it to begin with, so I'd give him a few minutes to settle.

At my NCT class they showed us how to swaddle with elbows in hands out - apparently the baby can then get out if they are overheating and is what they reccomend now. Couldn't tell you if it works just passing on info.

I used to swaddle ds for ages, in a sheet in the day if necessary as too warm.

I go with MrsJamin my second child did this, and slept better on his front and stopped jerking himself awake.

The swaddling may work though if you are uncomfortable with the risk of laying on the tummy though.

Eitherway goodluck x