should i start 4 hr EASY after 2 wk vacation w/ 4 mo old?

[nona]

ok so that was a confusing topic!

We've been out of town for the past two weeks w/ my 4 month old (turned 4 mo on 2/28).  Due to plane rides, long car rides, weddings, napping in the car seat, being passed around, and too much schlepping around, my LO's schedule has flown out the window. We are confusing hunger w/ sleep and having lots of night wakings, etc. There might even be a growth spurt thrown in there. I've resorted to some AP - eg nursing to sleep and co-sleeping on occasion, so my LO would get some sleep. When he does settle for a nap, he will usually take a 1.5-2 hours nap (thankfully!!!). We normally live a mundane life and I usually do not run errands w/ him every day. If I run errands w/ him one day, we will stay home the next day.

Last night after a horrible start, he had a dreamfeed at 10:30ish and then slept to almost 4:30. This is a first because he usually only sleeps 3-4 hours at night  before waking up to feed. I was also able to settle him before the df w/ a couple of sucks on a pacifier around 10pm. He normally does not take a pacifier and wondering if I should even consider introducing at this point but I am desperate for some sleep at night.

To complicate things, my mom is staying with us this next week. I will be working a couple of days and he also his 4 mo check up where we will receive his vaccines.  I also have a ton of little errands I need to run since my mom will be watching him for me.

Before we left on our trip, he was transitioning himself to a 3.5-4 hr EASY. These past two weeks, I've tried to stick to an EASY routine but have not been consistent w/ naps, wake up time or bed time, etc. (He has had a hard time settling at night for good reason.) I feel like I'm starting all over w/ EASY. Should I just start on a 4 hour EASY? Should I wait until my mom leaves? He is breastfed and a big baby boy - probably weighs > 17 lbs.

TIA, Heather

[rebecaq]

Hi Heather!

Big {{{HUGS}}} getting off track is always hard!


My recommendation is to start EASY as best you can right now before AP and bad habits set in really hard.  At Cade's age bad habits can form overnight and take weeks to fix.  Also, it seems that you tried to start the routine at almost bedtime, I think it would be best to begin in the morning.  Things sound to be quite askew at the moment and I think adding a paci right now may make things more hectic for you guys.

I'm sure your mom can help you out to get EASY going again. It's always easier with someone to help you out 

- Beca

[nona]

thank you - you are right about the paci. i think it is confusing to him anyway. however, due to AP, i think he was starting to like a little suckling before nap time.  we'll stop the habit now. nap time seems to be harder than bedtime but it was never easy anyway. we had another good night last night and so far he is doing well today on a 4 hr EASY schedule. he likes an 8 am wake up now so i can't complain!

thank you for your support! heather

[rebecaq]

That's great Heather!

What's your nap windown?

You can always come here for support 

- Beca

[katemom]

Hi,

I found this post applicable since I am going on a 1 week trip with my 4 month old in 2 weeks.  I would like to try to avoid getting too far off her schedule...got any suggestions?

We are travelling to a location that has a 2 hour time difference, so since it isn't huge, we thought we'd try to stay on home time.  Does just the act of having little ones napping in strollers, and in carseats and airplanes mess them up?  Will having one nap a day in their travel crib help to keep some consistency? If you still plan to help them nap at the right times, even if it is in their stroller, will that help keep them on track?  Please share any suggestions, as I am willing to do anything to preserve the hard work I have put into her routine!  Not that it's perfect, but it's pretty good!

Thanks!

kate's mom

[rebecaq]

Hi Kate's mom!

I personally encouraged my ds to nap in different places and different scenarios. It's helped for when we travel for weekend trips and maybe am out and about when it's nap time.  So stick to your regular routine as best you can and try not to fret where baby is sleeping as long as she IS sleeping 

- Beca

[nona]

beca -  we have a quick wind down routine. however, i realized that i need to start the process sooner in stead of at the 2 hr mark! basically, when it's time for a nap, i will say "it is time for a nap", close the shutters, and do a quick cuddle. he gets very squirmy and arches his back when he's tired so its hard to do a lot. next week, i am going to start winding down much earlier and read a book, etc. it has been hard to be consistent these last couple of weeks. he is taking a great nap now - he missed his morning one due to his 4 mo check up so i see the light at the end of the tunnel.

kate - good luck!!!!    we traveled to where there is a one hour time difference. i personally thought it'd be no big deal but then i don't particularly like waking up at 4 or 5am!!!!! i thought even w/ one hour it was hard - especially at bedtime for some reason. However, my lo likes his schedule and prefers to nap in his crib. he does not take good naps on the road or in our arms or his stroller. this is prob b/c he prefers to sleep on his tummy! i tried to be consistent but we were on ski trip and the grandparents watched him a lot to give me and DH some free time. in addition, his feeding schedule was kinda screwed up b/c we were in colorado and it was so dry he was thirsty and i had to nurse him more at weird times.i also had to nurse him on the plane to help w/ ears, etc.  if i had thought about it, i should have asked my MD about giving him a little water (which now i know would have been ok b/c i just asked her today. she said 1-2 oz would be ok). also, my lo just turned 4 mo so your lo is a little older and hopefully more adaptable. ok, so obviously this post is not very helpful but i think a one week vacation is much better than two!

[rebecaq]

Nona,

I'm glad to hear that he's taking a good nap for you    As for the winddown, I think it's a good idea to start sooner. Your lo sounds like an angel baby that takes things in stride, but it's still always nice to ease the transition from A to S.  If you run into any more trouble let me know! 

- Beca

[katemom]

Beca & Nona, thanks for the tips and suggestions on how to travel with kate...I'm a bit nervous about it, but I'll do my best.

Nona - thanks for sharing about the okay for using water on the plane.  I was going to give her a little bottle to get her through the take-off and landing, but worried about messing up her schedule like you said.  You cracked me up as you talked about how dry it is in Colorado - and how it got to your lo.  Tell me about it!  I live here and can hear how thirsty Kate is during the night!  poor thing - it's ridiculously dry here, but I'm sure it was even worse for your lo, not being as used to it.  Anyway, I hope you're able to get back on track.  And I hope you enjoyed your winter getaway! 

Thanks again,

kate's mom

[nona]

just thought i'd update...

after a week of being back at home, my mom visiting AND having vaccines @ our 4 mo check up......we are finally getting back on track. i really think the vaccines screwed us up even more. we were having a horrible time w/ naps - very angry crying, etc and cade wanted to be held a lot more than usual. however, yesterday things started working out and my mom was able to transition to nap time w/o much of a fuss. this morning, after a good wind down, i laid him down and he barely made a fuss. i guess transitions just take a lot of time.  i'm feeling much more positive about the 4 hr schedule. he is sometimes waking up from naps a little early and i think it is due to hunger so i just feed him (usu @ 3.5 hr mark).

anyway, good luck to anyone who is taking a trip!