Sleeeeep

[pixie523]

It's a hot topic and no one wants to be Dick's mom up in here...

But I've got to vent about sleeping somewhere. My kid is queen of the cat nap during the day and it's driving me crazy. Mostly because she truly isn't ready to wake up. She cries and thrashes but won't go back down even after a binky replacement and soothing so I just have an angry strung out kid. I try to tell her other babies supposedly wake up cooing. I also can't stand the thrashing. Frustrates the shit out of me. What are your sleep vents?

[kaimee27]

DD loves to wake up after 10-20 minutes of being laid down. She'll sleep long stretches when being held, but otherwise she's up and fussing. Last night we did get a 1.5 and a 2.5 hour stretch of sleep, which is the longest she's given us in a LONG time, but it's definitely not the norm-although DH and I are hoping to start a trend . Hang in there mama, things WILL get better!!

[spikesmom]

I hear you! My lo sleeps all day so we can party all night. He also thrashes like crazy when laid down. If you try to lay him down for a nap it doesn't last more than 20 minutes and he wakes up cranky but will nap for an hour or more if held. I feel like I have no idea what I'm doing or how to help him sleep better on his own. We swaddle and use white noise but he still thrashes like crazy and wakes himself up...so frustrating.

[jfh]

T took all of his naps in the ergo today. He sleeps much longer on me than in his crib, and I can still get some things done. I'll probably keep doing it that way for awhile, with occasional crib attempts.

[HutterFlutter]

I have no advice since this is my baby girl to a "T". I would love to get some tips and pointers.

[tacocat]

I'm too tired to share.

But I'm lol at Dick's mom reference.

[pixie523]

I wouldn't be so annoyed if she would nap on me for longer than 30 minutes. I can pretend that's fine. She won't even do that lately.

Disclaimer: I do get one decent stretch at night and I know many of you don't. She's really just a super ass about day time sleeping. (Additional disclaimer: I called my kid an ass but I love her very much.)

[jac409]

I'm right there with you. My kid has become king of the catnap lately too. He does give me one good stretch at night. But, I am trying to transition him from the RNP to the crib, and it isn't going so well. He doesn't seem to like being flat. Or maybe it's the bigger space. I don't know, but he wakes up within five minutes or so and starts the thrashing. Drives me nuts!

[crazytallgiraffe]

My baby only catnaps during the day but sleeps 730p to 6a? I guess I'll take no naps but damn baby mommys need a break!

[jax1182014]

What's up with the thrashing around when laid down? My daughter does that too! She wakes herself up. So annoying. It's the reason I usually give up on the crib idea in middle of the night and just bring her to bed with me.

[Libby]

I know I mentioned this in another thread, but count me in the club of crappy sleepers. I feel so behind because we are trying to transition from my chest TO the rnp instead of out of it. We tried a Chicco bassinet, arms reach co sleeper, pnp vibrating bassinet and next to me in bed. Nope, she only wants to sleep ON me. I really wish she would lie in the co-sleeper because she looks squished in the rnp She will only sleep 20 minutes anywhere else. Just recently she is doing a three hour stretch in the rnp and that's when I can sleep. Then she wakes up frequently after. I did read it's hard for them to sleep longer stretches if they are ebf and under 13 lbs so I'm clinging to the hope it will get better since we just hit 10 lbs.
I have tried earlier bath, later bath, changing bedtimes, cotton swaddle, fleece swaddle, white noise, heating pad to warm bassinet, bedtime book etc.
we now do bath around 7:30 then downstairs to hang out. Upstairs at 9. Book, nurse one side then swaddle and white noise while nursing the other side then rock for 20 minutes after she is asleep and then put her in rnp. This is getting me the 3ish hr first stretch.
I'm terrified of returning to work where I'm responsible for people's lives!
Good thing my heart explodes when I look at her

[MrsAdventure]

My sleep vent is actually about DH. He broke my good sleeping baby and that makes me chappy as hell. At night, Pips would get a nice warm bottle, eat between between 4 and 6 ounces and and go down for 5 to 7 hours. It was blissful. We (I) try not to let her snack after 7:30 (I try to occupy her with a paci, books, games, whatever I can so she doesn't fuss), that being said, if she's hungry we feed her, I just try to avoid her thinking about maybe being hungry in the first place.

Anyhow, DH decided the other night that because she's teething and fussing over that, that he was just gonna let her snack... On a cool bottle, because he was too tired to walk and sooth her with a damp cloth to chew on During the day, she can snack/cluster feed, as she always has, makes no difference to me as long as she's not over eating. And if the bottles are not perfectly warm, oh well. But at night I insist that she gets a lovely warm bottle. What better soothing is there than cuddles and a belly full of warm milk? It's now a week or so later since I left DH in charge and ever since that night she's been sleeping like crap. Fussing and thrashing for hours on end, but not fully waking. Then about 3am she starts to wake every hour to scream and suck on a bottle for thirty seconds and go back to sleep... Because her paci isn't as good... DH broke the cycle, and doesn't give a rats ass. Why? Well, because what has two thumbs and does the night feelings? This girl.

[spiraltheory]

Naps are hard for us too. Myles will sleep for decent stretches at night by himself if he's swaddled, but he doesn't do well by himself during the day. He will sleep if I hold him, so that's usually what I do. He's taken a few naps by himself on his belly, so I'll start trying that more often. Also, I don't like to swaddle him during the day. He's wrapped up for long enough at night, and I feel weird doing it during the day too.

[tacocat]

To the nap on chest sleeper moms- lay a swaddle or big blanket in the swing before they go to sleep. Turn it on full blast. After they pass out, put them in the swing as it moves. (Takes skills) leave your hand on tneir chest til they stop stirring. Gently tuck the sides of the blanket around them for some sense of security.

I've been doing this for 2 days. Now he will stir and wake and even go back to sleep. I'm going to continue for another day or so then start putting him in the crib. We will see. At least I get some free hands time.

[Libby]

Feb 2, 2015 3:01:19 GMT -5 tacocat said:

To the nap on chest sleeper moms- lay a swaddle or big blanket in the swing before they go to sleep. Turn it on full blast. After they pass out, put them in the swing as it moves. (Takes skills) leave your hand on tneir chest til they stop stirring. Gently tuck the sides of the blanket around them for some sense of security.

I've been doing this for 2 days. Now he will stir and wake and even go back to sleep. I'm going to continue for another day or so then start putting him in the crib. We will see. At least I get some free hands time.

I wish LO liked the swing. We had a mamaroo and figured it just wasn't for her so we bought a snugamonkey and she also screams in it. I think our problem is it just isn't naps - I literally cannot put this child down for more than 5-10 minutes or she screams. Playmat, boppy, swing. The bouncy seat works for about 20 min if I leave water running. I wear her in the k'tan, but she gets really warm in it even in a onesie only so I only get 45 min max in that or she cries because she is hot. I can't even put her down to pee. No cooking or cleaning going on from me. I feel like I have to be doing something wrong. She is all smiles and coos so long as I'm holding her and talking to her so that's what we do all day! That keeps her happy and snuggly

[KMW08]

Libby could LO have silent reflux or something you're eating causing belly upset? You're EBF, but John (ff) was like this in the beginning. As soon as I switched formulas, brand new kid. By day two he would lay and sit by himself for an hour at a time. It was amazing!

Also, at night he only does 3-4hr stretches, we are ff and he's at least 15lbs. So about heavier babies and feeding type and sleep......I don't believe that claim lol

[Libby]

Darnit! My dream of sleep at 13 lbs is shattered! Haha I kinda figured as much. Last night we did 1.5-2 he stretches. She does have silent reflux. We tried meds reluctantly and she screamed straight the entire time they were in her system. The pharmacist and pedi think she had an adverse reaction (possibly headache) to Zantac. I always hold her upright 20 min after feeds and burp her a lot. I was hoping the incline of the rock n play or bouncy would help, but it doesn't seem to. I should probably start looking at a log of what I eat. I agree with you though, I think with her belly pain she is most comfortable cuddling with mama! I'm so glad John is feeling better! KMW08

[pixie523]

Pretty sure my kid is taking her "long nap" at 7:30pm. Ughhhhhhhhhhhh. Lady! This is not going to help your party animal life style. Sleep begets sleep right? Right?!!

[kakicl0ud]

Libby I just wanted to say that I know your pain. My new baby is a pretty good sleeper, but my older son was/is not. He had to constantly be held. All. Day. Long. I don't really have any advice but I just want you to know you're not doing anything wrong! Hang in there!

[Libby]

kakicl0ud thank you! I appreciate the encouragement. I know I'm blessed to have her and I just need to focus on that. Someday I will miss all the snuggles. It's easy to focus on the now though and become overwhelmed with a high maintenance baby. I would like to be able to do my hair and makeup again at some point or even eat a hot meal. So glad your second one is making up for it!

[tacocat]

Libby My LO takes Prilosec. Did you give up on the Zantac? Did the doc not prescribe something else for you? Reflux is painful for them, so if your LO has it, then I'm not surprised you're not getting any sleep from them.

Eta, regarding the swing...my LO had to get used to it. He didn't like it at first either. Keep trying it when LO is in a sleepy but not yet cranky mood. That may help.

[Libby]

Oh goodness, yes we stopped the Zantac and then had to wait for it to get out of her system. She did the painful purple crying the entire time and I couldn't make it better. This was coming from a baby who, as long as she is being held, is 100% all smiles. As soon as the medication got out of her system she was back to normal. The dr didn't push one way or the other, said she would probably grow out of it. She was SGA but I also worry because my brother had it so severe they actually did surgery at 8 years old. The dr said medication wouldn't have done anything for him and he never seemed in pain. I'm constantly torn but I still have huge mom guilt over giving her a drug that caused her pain. Thankfully my mom is watching her when I go back to work next week so she won't be put down over there either.
Eta: I will keep trying the swing! She seems to like it better than the mamaroo. Also I think some crying being put down is being away from mama. She fusses unless other people bounce and walk laps, but attached to me she is fine. She definitely lets her preferences be known!

[lovebuggies12]

Yea ds finally mastered the swing. He hated everything at first. I can get maybe 1-2 hrs out of it before he wakes up realizing it's not my arms lol.

Ds has always been pretty good at sleeping in the day, not so much the night. But he's adjusting to the night routine finally.

Some day tricks for me that saved my sanity was bf on demand. Also warm formula. Snuggled in my arms with noise playing. (It's like if it's too quiet he wakes up immediately) I just made sure to keep to his natural schedule. He was hungry so I fed, he wanted to play next so I wore him out, his eyes start drooping and the tears start so that was my cue to rock him to sleep. Then the cycle repeats with diaper changes in between.
Ds sleep problems had a lot to do with reflux, gas pains, and a few intolerances. But once I changed my diet and his formula, I saw a huge difference.

If your LO is showing you their natural pattern for the day, try as best as you can to follow it and they end up sleep training themselves. I know exactly when he's going to wake up and go to bed because he showed me.

[abcmommy]

Feb 2, 2015 7:36:49 GMT -5 Libby said:

Feb 2, 2015 3:01:19 GMT -5 tacocat said:

To the nap on chest sleeper moms- lay a swaddle or big blanket in the swing before they go to sleep. Turn it on full blast. After they pass out, put them in the swing as it moves. (Takes skills) leave your hand on tneir chest til they stop stirring. Gently tuck the sides of the blanket around them for some sense of security.

I've been doing this for 2 days. Now he will stir and wake and even go back to sleep. I'm going to continue for another day or so then start putting him in the crib. We will see. At least I get some free hands time.

I wish LO liked the swing. We had a mamaroo and figured it just wasn't for her so we bought a snugamonkey and she also screams in it. I think our problem is it just isn't naps - I literally cannot put this child down for more than 5-10 minutes or she screams. Playmat, boppy, swing. The bouncy seat works for about 20 min if I leave water running. I wear her in the k'tan, but she gets really warm in it even in a onesie only so I only get 45 min max in that or she cries because she is hot. I can't even put her down to pee. No cooking or cleaning going on from me. I feel like I have to be doing something wrong. She is all smiles and coos so long as I'm holding her and talking to her so that's what we do all day! That keeps her happy and snuggly

Oh, I'm sorry. My DD was like this too. Would it make you feel better if I told you that she eventually outgrew it? I just could not keep up with any homework when DD was a baby.

As for DS, some days he just doesn't nap well. It usually isn't too bad. The problem is when DD also refuses to nap. Dealing with two exhausted LOs all day is not fun.

[runnershan]

Ugh I'm so glad I'm not the only one dealing with this. My LO is doing much better at night. We'll get a 5 or 6 hour stretch the first half of the night but she refuses to nap during the day for more than 15/20 minutes. I keep telling her that she wouldn't be so cranky if she would just effing nap!!! She will only sleep being held or in the carrier. But she also gets so hot so it's hard to keep her in there for too long. She also HAS to be moving. This kid will be dead asleep in the carrier and I'll sit down for a second and she starts squirming and crying. Really?! Oh and she also hated the Mamaroo and swing. Makes no sense!

Last week when she got her 2 month shots the doctor asked about her sleep and said I just need to "put her down in her crib and walk away." Yeah right! You come live with her lady! When I put her down she just screams. I know we're supposed to get to a point where I can put her down drowsy and she'll go to sleep on her own but we're not there yet! She's 9.5 weeks old!

[ashleymm197]

Mine sleeps through the night, but now his naps are starting to be a day by day situation. He usually takes a long nap in the morning, but the rest of the day they typically can range from 15min to a hour depending on what he wants to do.

DH's friend has a daughter that is 5w older then Henry (so she's around 18-19w). She sleeps about 12 hours every night, but does not nap at all during the day. Emily said she's lucky if they get 30min in a day from her.

I'm not sure if this is just something that some kids just go through as far as napping, hopefully they outgrow it and nap at least a little during the day. I've noticed that the older Henry is getting, the less he wants to nap and the more he wants to play. When it's bedtime, we try to wear him out by giving him a nice warm bath before his last bottle, and we make sure its nice and warm (he loves warm bottles, room temp makes his tummy upset). This *usually* gets him to bed in about an hour start to finish.

[dsp2013]

Google Baby Merlin's Magic Sleepsuit. Best invention ever. DD is a fussy sleeper and would need nursing and rocking for 45min to an hour to sleep. A couple weeks ago I stumbled on this. I figured $40 was worth it if I could sleep.

First night wearing it she soothed herself to sleep in the bassinet. Pretty much the same every night since. She gives us one long stretch (4-6hrs) and then wakes every 2-3 after that to eat. Before the suit the stretches were similar, but she would also need rocking to fall asleep. We nurse, burp, and then go back down immediately. This mama is so appreciative to not have MOTN sessions take an hour and a half anymore.

[tacocat]

Feb 3, 2015 23:43:23 GMT -5 dsp2013 said:

Google Baby Merlin's Magic Sleepsuit. Best invention ever. DD is a fussy sleeper and would need nursing and rocking for 45min to an hour to sleep. A couple weeks ago I stumbled on this. I figured $40 was worth it if I could sleep.

First night wearing it she soothed herself to sleep in the bassinet. Pretty much the same every night since. She gives us one long stretch (4-6hrs) and then wakes every 2-3 after that to eat. Before the suit the stretches were similar, but she would also need rocking to fall asleep. We nurse, burp, and then go back down immediately. This mama is so appreciative to not have MOTN sessions take an hour and a half anymore.

dsp2013 can you explain to me what the suit does? Their site doesn't explain how it works, or maybe I'm dense.

[kakicl0ud]

Feb 4, 2015 10:50:24 GMT -5 tacocat said:

Feb 3, 2015 23:43:23 GMT -5 dsp2013 said:

Google Baby Merlin's Magic Sleepsuit. Best invention ever. DD is a fussy sleeper and would need nursing and rocking for 45min to an hour to sleep. A couple weeks ago I stumbled on this. I figured $40 was worth it if I could sleep.

First night wearing it she soothed herself to sleep in the bassinet. Pretty much the same every night since. She gives us one long stretch (4-6hrs) and then wakes every 2-3 after that to eat. Before the suit the stretches were similar, but she would also need rocking to fall asleep. We nurse, burp, and then go back down immediately. This mama is so appreciative to not have MOTN sessions take an hour and a half anymore.

dsp2013 can you explain to me what the suit does? Their site doesn't explain how it works, or maybe I'm dense.

We use this as well and it is designed to stop them from startling awake. So it's the same idea as a swaddle, but they can have some movement if they don't like to be confined to the swaddle anymore. It also just feels cozy to them I think so that helps them go back to sleep.
My LO was doing awesome in it until a few nights ago when he started waking up every hour. Maybe due to reflux? Uggh nothing stays solved for long...

[spiraltheory]

I'm intrigued by the magic sleep suit! It looks warm. Ladies who have one - any problems with baby getting too hot?