Wind down issue?

[kku1036]

Hi everyone.  I'm new to this site and was wondering if anyone out there could help me with a wind down problem. 

Over the past two weeks, my three month old started getting extremely fussy, lingering on the breast, and growing more and more difficult to put down for naps and night time sleep.  Once we determined that he was going through a growth spurt and increased his feed times to every 3 hours (as opposed to every 3.5 hours), he went back to his normal, spirited self.  The problem I'm having now concerns his wind down ritual.  It seems that as soon as I lay him in his crib to swaddle him he starts crying incessantly.  I shush-pat him until he calms down (about 10 minutes), then he's just fine and usually falls asleep on his own after I walk away. 

I'm not sure what's happened here.  Have I lost his trust?  Is he associating his crib with hunger (like page 118 of SAYP mentions), and if so, how do I break that association so that he doesn't cry every time he gets near his crib?  Has anyone else had this problem?  And is this even a problem or just a kink that will work itself out? 

Thanks.

[KathrynK]

hi there
can you post your usual routine for us to look at so we can try to help?

[kku1036]

Thanks for your reply.  Here's my routine:

E: 7:00
A: 7:30-8:15
S: 8:30-10:00

E: 10:00
A: 10:30-11:15
S: 11:30-1:00

E: 1:00
A: 1:30-2:15
S: 2:30-4:00

E: 4:00
A: 4:30-5:15
S: 5:30-7:00

E: 7:00
A: 7:30-8:45 (This is Daddy time and includes bath)
S: 8:45-10:00

E: 10:00
S: 10:30

Sometimes, like when we go out in the afternoon, my LO only takes a 1/2 hour nap in the car, but it doesn't seem to bother him. 

This morning, I did two things differently, which seemed to help a little.  First, I put him down for his nap a little earlier than usual (around 8:00 instead of 8:15).  And second, I swaddled him loosely since he's able to suck his own thumb now.  He still cried, but it wasn't a full blown wail like it has been.  I watched him on the baby monitor after I left the room, and he just sort of sucked on his fingers and looked around the room a bit before drifting off to sleep. 

I guess at some point I'll have to stop swaddling him, so maybe doing a loose swaddle is a nice transition?

Thanks,
Kimberly

[¤ Efka ¤]

But , if you lie him down without swaddle, is he OK? Some babies don't like to be swaddled, especially , if you said he started  sucking his thumb.

[kku1036]

Well, he used to like being swaddled, but since his growth spurt, he's been resistant.  My DH suggested we try swaddling him in a different spot (outside his crib) to see if that will work.  I'll try that later.  And to answer your question, Peike, I've not tried letting him sleep without the swaddle yet.  I suppose I can try that to see how he does.  Usually after his activity time, I hold him/talk softly to him, lay him in his crib (where the swaddle blanket is laid out already), swaddle him, then hold him to shush-pat when necessary (which is to say most of the time). 

This makes me wonder, do other people swaddle in the crib or outside of the crib? 

[¤ Efka ¤]

I would say that your DH had good idea, try to swaddle him in different spot, then hold him, talk to him and then lie in crib.If he is still hesitant, try without.

And I always swaddled on my bed , DS used to sleep at this age in bassinet and i did not find it comfortable swaddle him thee. Also I used simple sheet for swaddle.

[kku1036]

Well, I'm not sure what changed, but my DS has been going down for naps easily again.  I didn't have to move my swaddling location either, I've just been speaking very calmly and explaining that I'm going to lay him down in his crib and swaddle him.  As soon as he starts to fuss, I stick the pacifier in his mouth and then he's fine. 

Just thought I'd let you know.  Thanks for helping me through this little hiccup!

[¤ Efka ¤]

That is great
These little ones sure give us some trouble

[donna_issabella]

we swaddle outside the crib. my lo is also 3 months and also went through a period of crying terribly when i swaddled him. so i increased his winddown and since then it has been much easier. sometimes i have to go in once or twice to pat a little, but that is usually later in the day, as he is a 45 minute napper who then gets a little tired towards the end. glad things have sorted themselves out!!