Hi there,
Not sure if I should post this here or under Naps?
Our third child is 12 days old and just in the last couple of days I am noticing some things that I am hoping to get some advice/feedback on. He was very very sleepy for his first week but is starting to "wake up" a bit (normal, I know).
I am trying to start off on the right foot and have him fall asleep independently when possible, although this definitely doesn't always happen. But here's the thing... I will often put him down in his bassinet for a nap after sitting with him (he is swaddled) for a few minutes and he seems very calm and sleepy, his eyes might even be closed, and I think - great, he's going to sleep! - only to check on him 30 min later and he is laying there wide awake! He might fuss for a few seconds here and there but for the most part he just lays there awake! This morning I finally went in and picked him up after 45 min and he fell asleep in my arms because I was afraid of him getting overtired. We don't have a super consistent routine at this point as he's so little, but I try and get him down after about 40 min of A time. He often dozes while nursing though (which takes about 30 min) so I wonder if this could be part of the problem - like it's not really a full A time? Sometimes it can be almost 2 hours before he finally falls asleep, but like I said, he's not upset, just awake!
He also seems to be a very oral baby, always looking to suck on something even when he's not hungry. He likes the pacifier although I've really been trying to avoid using it for naps for fear he will only be able to fall asleep with it and then wake up looking for it. So far we just give it to him in the evenings when he is a bit fussy. My first son had a paci but my daughter did not and she was always a way better sleeper because of it (I think). Anyway, I think if I gave him the paci for naps he would probably drop off a lot quicker but am not sure I want to go down that road.
If anyone has anyone suggestions, I would really appreciate it!