Sleep…always sleep! (XP from PAL)

[taberbtb]

For those who have BTDT, or even just going through the same thing right now, B has just reached the age in the last week or so where EVERYTHING holds her interest. What this means is unless we are at home in her darkened nursery naps are extinct.

We don't exactly "live in town" so if she isn't old enough yet to be awake for more than 1.5-2hrs at a time it means that after she wakes, I feed her and pack her in the car seat we aren't going to grab groceries, hit the bank, or even make it to our mommy and me Pilates class and back before she needs to sleep again. Right now there is just too much for her to see, even riding in the car, for her to fall asleep.

There is no way I can sit at home 24hrs a day-everyday- and I also have errands I need to get done on a weekly basis. Is this a phase she will outgrow and get used to napping on the go like she used to when need be? Or am I doomed to having a cranky baby when I need to go and get things done? I have tried coving the car seat with a receiving blanket but that just makes her angry because (obviously!) how can you see what's going on when mom tries to cover you up?!

ETA: B is a week or so shy of 4m

[michelle142]

My ds was like that. By 8 months he outgrew that and was an awesome napper.

[junebugjam]

Can I tag on a question here? When will I have to stop fighting for naps? Every single time. I'm so tired of it.

[taberbtb]

junebugjam good question. I wonder the same.

[osumegs]

Yep on the naps. 2 hours of work sometimes for 10 min of sleep

[michelle142]

May 22, 2015 12:38:56 GMT -5 junebugjam said:

Can I tag on a question here? When will I have to stop fighting for naps? Every single time. I'm so tired of it.

You're going to hate this answer, but it really varies from kid to kid.

[mishka29]

May 22, 2015 12:38:56 GMT -5 junebugjam said:

Can I tag on a question here? When will I have to stop fighting for naps? Every single time. I'm so tired of it.

My answer to this is sleep training. 

[miniwheat]

I didn't try for any kind of organized naps until my DD was 7 months. Up until then she napped when she needed it and was awake when she wanted. This LO has more of a routine because we keeps DD's schedule so he naps more at the same time. But it varies from day to day at times.

As for fighting naps, they could always fight naps or they could find their rhythm and keep it until preschool. You never know. I find that sleep and sleep changes happen all the time depending on what stage of development a kid is at and in a way you always are working on sleep habits. Just my opinion!

[junebugjam]

May 22, 2015 13:38:00 GMT -5 michelle142 said:

May 22, 2015 12:38:56 GMT -5 junebugjam said:

Can I tag on a question here? When will I have to stop fighting for naps? Every single time. I'm so tired of it.

You're going to hate this answer, but it really varies from kid to kid.

I figured as much but was hoping not. My LO will not fall asleep on his own. He'll sleep in the car seat or stroller but that's all. At home he has to be swaddled and rocked or there is no sleep. He won't even cuddle with me unswaddled. I know I have sleep training in my future but I'm not sure he's ready for it yet. I'm pretty positive he would just cry for hours on end and that's not good for anyone.

[lilyelayne]

May 22, 2015 14:17:54 GMT -5 badw0lf said:

I'm gonna tag on a question to. How do I know if it's okay to "sleep train" I mean if he's waking because he's hungry I should feed him right?

From what I learned in a previous thread, I think sleep training is more about how your kid falls asleep than how long they stay asleep in any given stretch. The long term idea being if they learn to put themselves to sleep, then they will do so if they wake & are not hungry. If they wake & are hungry they'll let you know.
But hopefully someone who's BTDT can confirm or actually address your question for signs sleep training is appropriate.

[michelle142]

Generally they don't recommend sleep training until 5/6 month, depending on method.

As far as knowing if it's ok, it's more of a trial and error thing. If your LO has trouble falling asleep, self soothing or staying asleep, sleep training is probably something you'll want to try.

[lilyelayne]

taberbtb how does your LO respond to white noise? If DS is sleepy & is doing everything he can to keep those eyes open in the car, I can turn on his white noise (my phone over the car speakers, or a staticky radio station) and that's enough to nudge him to sleep. White noise also helps him stay asleep when I run errands, though he stays in his car seat. I either put my cell phone in his lap with white noise on, or I have a portable white noise machine that I can clip on his car seat/stroller.

mybaby HoMedics SoundSpa On-The-Go www.amazon.com/dp/B0097D4ZMU/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_je5xvb1N7MCJN is the portable white noise machine I have. I like that it has a clip, but hate the power button. It turns itself on way too easily.

[flyster]

May 22, 2015 11:24:16 GMT -5 taberbtb said:

For those who have BTDT, or even just going through the same thing right now, B has just reached the age in the last week or so where EVERYTHING holds her interest. What this means is unless we are at home in her darkened nursery naps are extinct.

We don't exactly "live in town" so if she isn't old enough yet to be awake for more than 1.5-2hrs at a time it means that after she wakes, I feed her and pack her in the car seat we aren't going to grab groceries, hit the bank, or even make it to our mommy and me Pilates class and back before she needs to sleep again. Right now there is just too much for her to see, even riding in the car, for her to fall asleep.

There is no way I can sit at home 24hrs a day-everyday- and I also have errands I need to get done on a weekly basis. Is this a phase she will outgrow and get used to napping on the go like she used to when need be? Or am I doomed to having a cranky baby when I need to go and get things done? I have tried coving the car seat with a receiving blanket but that just makes her angry because (obviously!) how can you see what's going on when mom tries to cover you up?!

ETA: B is a week or so shy of 4m

We are not having the napping issue but DS, a week from 4 months is a super cranky pants the last week.  Do you have the wonder weeks app? they are supposedly in the next leep and crankies is part of it. When he is awake he wants to be attached to me at all times. 

[taberbtb]

lilyelayne I just downloaded a white noise app for my phone. Great idea! When B used to sleep in our room we always ran the humidifier so now we put one in her room since her sleep sheep shuts off after a certain amount of time.

flyster oh yes we are right in the middle of a leap. I was hoping that was what this was linked to and will pass, and it's not that this is just the kind of kid she's going to be.

I see sleep training in our future as well I am just hoping I don't lose my mind in the time between now and when she is finally old enough to start.

[seamonster]

I've given up on naps as a regular thing. LO used to sleep in the car and then started screaming about being alone in the backseat. Back to sleeping in the car. But he will often be awake for hours on end with no nap.

Will your LO sleep on you? You might try babywearing to see if you can carry him around on you and he might sleep then. I'm trying out a ring ski g this weekend to see if LO will be in it and maybe sleep on my shoulder but let me be hands free. He'll also sleep in the carrier we have.

[PikoPiko]

According to the wonder weeks app, DS also a week from 4mos, is not in a leap yet because his due date is much later, but he's been having weird sleep patterns the past few days. He's spending entirely too much time eating his fingers and kicking around in bed. I find that placing him on his side tends to help him fall asleep better, at least the wild kicking stops instantly. I hold him in place til he's asleep then put him back on his back.

[taberbtb]

seamonster thanks I hadn't considered that but it's worth a try!

[mommadozer]

May 22, 2015 15:45:54 GMT -5 flyster said:

May 22, 2015 11:24:16 GMT -5 taberbtb said:

For those who have BTDT, or even just going through the same thing right now, B has just reached the age in the last week or so where EVERYTHING holds her interest. What this means is unless we are at home in her darkened nursery naps are extinct.

We don't exactly "live in town" so if she isn't old enough yet to be awake for more than 1.5-2hrs at a time it means that after she wakes, I feed her and pack her in the car seat we aren't going to grab groceries, hit the bank, or even make it to our mommy and me Pilates class and back before she needs to sleep again. Right now there is just too much for her to see, even riding in the car, for her to fall asleep.

There is no way I can sit at home 24hrs a day-everyday- and I also have errands I need to get done on a weekly basis. Is this a phase she will outgrow and get used to napping on the go like she used to when need be? Or am I doomed to having a cranky baby when I need to go and get things done? I have tried coving the car seat with a receiving blanket but that just makes her angry because (obviously!) how can you see what's going on when mom tries to cover you up?!

ETA: B is a week or so shy of 4m

We are not having the napping issue but DS, a week from 4 months is a super cranky pants the last week.  Do you have the wonder weeks app? they are supposedly in the next leep and crankies is part of it. When he is awake he wants to be attached to me at all times. 

This was the growth spurt from HELL! LO eventually got through it and I made it through alive.

[tee]

May 22, 2015 14:17:54 GMT -5 badw0lf said:

I'm gonna tag on a question to. How do I know if it's okay to "sleep train" I mean if he's waking because he's hungry I should feed him right?

We did sleep lady sleep shuffle with DS and she recommended not to start until at least 6 months. Prior to 6 months, she has lots of tips to help gently shape their sleep . We didn't do any sleep training with DS until 9 months. I love her book.

Definitely feed if hungry!

You may be able to see patterns when they eat at night (DD usually wakes at 3 to eat). If it's before her usual time, I try alternate soothing methods (soothing, rocking, pacifier, patting her back). If she doesn't settle, I just feed her.