sleep regression???

[claudiagirl123]

I posted in the nap board the other day about my 13 week old only taking 30 minute naps.  He wasn't sleeping well at night and by only taking 30 minute naps he was clearly exhausted.  However, we moved him to the crib a few days ago and he's actually been a lot better.  I kept him on a strict hour and a half wake time and put him down for a nap - followed this schedule the past few days and things seemed to be going really well.

Last night however, my son woke up every 30-60 minutes!!  Is this a sleep regresssion??  Is this going to be a new pattern with him??

I have read that these sleep regressions can last for  months.  How is that possible?  How can anyone survive on absolutely no sleep for months on end???

He slept fine since bringing him home from the hospital.  He was sleeping 12 hours straight at one point.  The few nights in the crib were great - we put him to bed at 7:30 and was just waking up to eat once and sleeping until 7am or 8am.  PLEASE, PLEASE HELP!

[*Sandra*]

Hugs! I feel for you.  We can handle anything during the day if we only get some sleep at night.  You must be exhausted!

Let's hope it was just a one night thing.  Maybe something was wrong, he wasn't feeling well.  What did you do when he woke up?

[claudiagirl123]

When he woke up I just put him back to sleep like normal - very slight rocking and some shushing.  I did the pat shush thing too when he wasn't totally upset and that seemed to work.  I tried nursing him every time as well and he almost seemed mad that I was trying to feed him, so he clearly wasn't hungry.  So, I'm guessing this is not a growth spurt. 

The only other thing I can imagine is that typically I will hold him for a nap so he gets in one long nap a day.  He went both Saturday and Sunday without this - BUT had four 30 minute naps on Sat and five 30 minute naps on Sunday.  He slept really well both nights, so I figured he wasn't overtired.  He did seem very cranky last night before bed and we barely made it through our bedtime routine.  I usually do a massage and bath.  He wouldn't even tolerate the massage he was so tired - this has never happened before.

So, do you think it's a sleep regression in which I'm in for weeks of no sleep (no idea how I'll physically survive that one!) or maybe just overtired?  Should I hold him for naps today to get him back on track?

This is so frustrating because I finally had him on a schedule both Sat and Sun and actually felt so calm and relaxed about it.  It was so very nice!  I guess it won't work though :

[*Sandra*]

I'm not sure. 

I know holding them for naps is not what we're "suppose" to do but it seems that your son is capable of getting himself to sleep if he has been going through the night so maybe it's not so bad.  It might be worth a try to get him a good nap again.  30 minute naps does not seem like enough.  I would give it a shot.

I think it's hard to decide after only one night but I know what it is like to dread night times

[claudiagirl123]

If I put him to sleep by winding him down, sitting with him (very, very gently rocking at this point - barely moving) and shushing him.  Then I put him in his crib when he is barely asleep.  I put pressure on his chest and legs and shush him for a few minutes after I think he's gone to sleep.  This seems to work, BUT isn't this a prop as well???

[*Sandra*]

What happened last night?  Was it bad as well or was it better?

[claudiagirl123]

Thankfully it was a one time deal.  The next night he did wake up again about 45 minutes or so after we put him down.  He was softly crying and we ended up leaving him.  He fell back to sleep within about five minutes or so. Not sure if that is considered CIO or not, and I know that is frowned upoon, but he wasn't full out crying.  More like a mantra cry I guess.  But, he hasn't done that since so maybe it worked? 

Since then he has woken up that first night at 2 to eat and then last night he woke up at 12:30 and 5:30 to eat.  Not sure really what to make of it.  He is eating at those times, so I do think he is hungry and he goes back to sleep right away.  I am trying to tackle his 30 minute naps before really troubleshooting these NWs. 

[*Sandra*]

Glad to hear it!  I don't think a little soft crying is considered CIO (but I may be wrong).  From what I understand CIO is not going to them when you can really tell they need you. 

My 3 year old would often have a big cry for about 1 minute before he fell asleep. He was usually sleeping before I could even get to him and if I did get to him I would actually interfere with his sleep!