Baby not sleeping well during the day.
Question:
Hi,
I have a 7.5month old who doesn't like to sleep during the day. Just to give you a bit of background on Cody, he has reflux which he is medicated for with Nexium twice a day. So for the first 3 - 4 months he was fairly unsettled and daytime sleeps where impossible. But once we got his medication sorted out, daytime sleeping started happening a lot easier although it has always been a bit of a struggle, I had got to the stage of being able to put him down when he was tired and he was going to sleep by himself with me only having to go in to him once. The last couple of weeks his daytime sleeps have really gone down hill. As soon as I place him in his cot he starts screaming like he is scared to be left there. I then started to rock him to sleep but then he wakes up after 30 -40 minutes, some days he will sleep for an hour and a half. I have now moved on to when he is tired taking him into his darkened room and sittng down and holding him until he goes sleepy. As soon as his eyes start shutting he starts crying and fighting sleep so I continue to hold him until he has settled. So he is falling asleep in my arms then I transfer him to the cot where he'll either sleep 30-40 mins or if I'm lucky go for over an hour. The last 3 nights he has slept through for a good 11hrs, so that isn't a problem at all. He sleeps with a dummy, which doesn't seem to cause any problem during the night, but I'm not sure if this could be the problem during the day. Also he is on solids 3 times a day and 4 breastfeeds a day.
I guess I am after some advice on how I can get him to settle by himself during the day and how to go about weaning him off of his dummy.
Your response will be much appreciated.
Kind Regards,
Tammy
Catriona's Response:
Hi Tammy
It sounds like he is doing pretty well!
Some Suggestions:
Concentrate on the first sleep during the day for 1 hour. There will be crying involved! I guess to reassure you, when you pick him up he settles, so he is ok! The older babies get the 'cuter' they become!
Things to try, when you see those tired signs, continue what you are doing, head to bed. Give him a cuddle and a rock an then when he feels relaxed put him in the cot. He will wake up and start crying, put your hands on him, give him a pat &/or rock in the cot. No talking or singing. If you need to listen to an ipod then do so! After a 1-2 minutes, then pick him up, give a quick reassuring cuddle and return him to cot. It is important that you return him to the cot awake. This may go on for 1 hour the first time you attempt it. Remain CALM, do not talk. You cannot go to sleep for him!! He needs to learn this for himself. You CAN just reassure him and be consistent with him. It might be easier to get rid of the dummy at this sleep to begin with. Then work up to the afternoon and evening sleeps.
Also, try using his pram to settle. Once he goes quiet, yet is awake stop moving the pram. Same principle applies, he needs to learn how to go to sleep by himself!
Ensure he is eating plenty for his 3 meals. He should be on most foods at this stage. Offer a dessert after lunch and dinner eg, yoghurt, fruit or custard. Ensure he is having meat (eg beef) at least once a day. Fill him up! He will let you know if he has had enough, like he does with his breast milk!
Hang in there be clear & consistent with him.
This response has been prepared by a health care professional on behalf of Baby Love in response to an email query. It is intended to be a general educational aid only. It is not intended for medical diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified child health care professional with any questions you may have regarding the health of your child. We cannot guarantee, and will not be responsible for any damage or loss related to the accuracy, completeness or timeliness of the information or for any direct or indirect consequence relating to any action or inaction you take based on this email.
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