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Sleep

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Original poster

daytime naps - how to settle

14 replies

redheadmum · 28/07/2005 20:29

I have a 5 week old baby.......for a couple of weeks he settled very well in his carry cot for daytime naps...but breastfeeding not zonking him out any more so when I put him down he is quiet for a couple of minutes and then starts to make noises and then works himself up to full pitch crying

I don't know what to do! Should I leave him to cry? surely too young at this stage??? I know I've been really inconsistent...today I picked him up til he dropped off in my arms cos I couldn't stand the crying

the books I have read are short on really practical detail!

any tips????

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keepingitsecret · 28/07/2005 20:47

When you put him down, try patting his bum when he begins to become unsettled, and if he likes it swaddle him whrn you put him down as he will still feel then that he is being cuddled. Hope this helps

Original poster

redheadmum · 28/07/2005 20:51

I swaddle at night,but wasn't sure about the daytime.....so you can swaddle in day?

I think he likes it as it keeps his arms and legs firmly in place...I've noticed that he becomes v distressed and his arms and legs move jerkily

OP posts:

keepingitsecret · 28/07/2005 21:08

yes swaddle in the day too, he will then associate swaddling with going to sleep whether it be a night or in the day time.

themothership · 28/07/2005 21:09

HI Redhead, I really sympathise as my dd, who's now 10 weeks, has been exactly the same ever since she was about 3 weeks. I've tried many things, none seem to work all the time, but we just about manage to get there these days...

Swaddling... totally agree with keepingitsecret. I've always swaddled during the day, otherwise dd works herself into an overtired frenzy and whacks herself in the face...
White noise...we discovered this by accident, when we put on some radio static and she suddenly conked out mid-scream. I've now got a white noise cd that I put on for all her naps. It calms her down quite a bit and I think she now associates it with sleeping too.
Keeping room for naps dark... I know some people say you shouldn't because babies need to learn the difference between night and day, but my dd finds it really hard to switch off if it's too bright. I haven't got blackoutblinds though and sometimes if it's too bright still, I have to literally shield her eyes until she closes them.

Good luck!

hermykne · 28/07/2005 21:17

dont leave him to cry redhead, hes too young, he is only 5wks and probably missing his cosy little house prior to his birth, thats all, he'll settle, but reassure him you are there, once his sight comes aorund he'll see you and be comforted, they all do this initially,

try a papouse/sling maybe? he might have wind too if its after a feed, i know they say breastfeeders arent supposed to get it, but both mine did, his wee tummy/intestine has to get use to digesting milk,

it oucld be something simple that he just has to adjust too

the tips are good , re naps, dark room and swaddling.

hth

Ruthiebaby · 28/07/2005 21:38

When my ds was tired I used to put MTV2 or Kerrang or Scuzz on really loud and I would mosh out with my son in my arms. That used to send him off !

Helped me lose weight too !

Don't think it would work now - he's too heavy lol

But seriously, he'll let you know when he wants a sleep - perhaps he's not tired when you want him to nap ? Do you use a dummy ? That also used to work for me whenever I was too tired to jump around with him.

jaqphil · 29/07/2005 16:36

Redhead - my ds was the same. She was frantic for most of the day, everyday. She is 13 weeks now. A real turn around about 4 weeks ago was to watch and as soon as the first yawn was spotted start thinking about getting her to sleep. Over time I now can anticipate when she needs to go down and start taking the measures to do so. The difference in her now she gets enough sleep in the day is amazing!! Unfortunately I am still working on getting her to sleep in the cot as she still needs to be on me to drop off but at least the rest of the time she is so so much better. Good luck!!

Original poster

redheadmum · 30/07/2005 20:15

thanks for the tips

I just couldn't leave him to cry (even though the books say you should) so I'm holding him til he settles then swaddling.

fingers x that seems to be working better, and at least I'm not frazzled with the crying (nor ds!)

OP posts:

poppy101 · 30/07/2005 20:18

Swaddle in daytime for naps, I felt that it calmed my lo down, now got to the point where I changed my lo into a bed for daytime sleeps from his crib and pram (also used to rock him to sleep in day).
Settles now by himself in the bed, normally in 10-15 minutes, adjusted well and have no real problems with sleep. However, when he is really overtired, 11 months now, I still have to occasionally wrap a blanket around him and cuddle until he is dozy. I just think that sometimes they need the extra comfort, it hasn't done my lo any harm and he is a good sleeper, generally.

motherpeculiar · 30/07/2005 20:37

swoop at the first sleep cue (yawning, moving head from side to side distractedly, short cries, rubbing eyes etc) and swaddle, swaddle, swaddle

also found rubbing little tummy and saying shhh, shhh, shhh (ad lib to fade) quite useful. But leave it once they go quiet.

wouldn't leave to cry more than a couple of minutes at 5 weeks, and even then only if it's short, quiet, tired cries. IME once they go to red hot and boiling cries the mission is over...

good luck

persevere, it's worth it. I never got it with DD1 but hae stuck at it with DD2 and she is now great at settling down during the day (wakes tonnes at night but that's another story)

hermykne · 30/07/2005 20:59

redhead
what books say you should leave them to cry - surely its for older babies, ie 6 months, it really isnt recommended to leave them prior to this and certainly not as young as your baby.

please be reassured that whats happening to you is totally normal and happens everyone , just relax into the babys cycle, it will calm down

Original poster

redheadmum · 31/07/2005 09:38

thanks for the reassuring posts

I'm relaxing a bit more now! I think that's the key actually......I've been getting a bit stressed as have a toddler as well and feel bad that she's not getting enough attention from me, and my MIL up as well.

MIL has gone so will get a chance to relax into our routine. I have been giving much more cuddles and swaddles and this seems to be much better for him

OP posts:

hermykne · 31/07/2005 14:30

redhead
i too had a 22mth old when ds was born and i felt soooo guilty about her, i was caught up in that as well as trying to feed him, settle him, adore him, and listen to her, it was a bit chaotic, until she settled down around when he was 5 wks and then when i was able to leave him on a playmat or something so as i could engage with her.
i know how u are feeling, plus the hormones dont help.

san2 · 26/10/2006 20:25

Hi!
DS (23 weeks) has never gone to sleep on own in day. USed sling lots & car in early days and now use pram pushing. Also settling him with dummy in arms till eyes start to close than can put him in his cot. This is not working so well now.
He seems to get tired every couple of hours but only sleeps 30mins.
Any tips as to how to improve daytime naps (as he wakes in night and am sure it is cos he is overtired and needs dummy to go back off).
Want to move on and not feel absorbed/obsessed/anxious about his sleep.
Has anyone used CC for day naps? How does it work? Don't they get hungry from crying?
Has anyone used CC on a baby that gets giggly and overexcited when tired (everyone else looks at him and thinks he is cute and I'm thinking - he'll be a nightmare to get to sleep)? Did CC work for your baby?
I have never liked idea of leaving him to cry it out but am now at nearly 6 month mark and feel like it maybe kinder for DS and us in long run. Any thoughts/advice for a Mum who wants to enjoy her very cute and happy baby more than she is!?!

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