Bedtime excitement for 6 month old!!!

[Kinlagh's Folks]

DD recently turned 6 months and we're having some problems with her evening/bedtime.  Her day is very average and we don't really have any problems here (at least I don't think so).  Here's what her day looks like:

Wakes at 7:00am
E - 7:30
S - 9:00-10:00 (sometimes til 10:30)
E - 11:30
S - 1:00-2:30
E - 3:30

Now here's where it gets tricky.  Our old routine was as follows:
S - catnap 5-5:45 (usually try for nap in stroller, or in playpen)
E - 7:00
Bath
Massage
Storytime & cuddles
Sleep by 7:45-8:00

But lately, we've been having trouble putting her to sleep.  She gets really excited during her wind down, and cries as soon as we leave the room after putting her to bed.  So we've been trying different things in the evening but none have worked yet.  We've tried eliminating her catnap thinking she was too awake at bedtime.   She's also starting to have lots of fun in the bath so moved that to before the 7:00 bottle.   Can you please tell me which of these adjustments we should stick with?  My thought is we should restart the catnap cause now I think she's overtired when it's finally bedtime.  Should we keep the bath before the bottle?  I'm afraid for her to associate bottle with bed (I'm so neurotic).  Also, could she be too young for story time?  It seems to wind her up.  She gets really excited and wants to grab and eat the book (she's teething off and on too).  Can/should we read to her in her crib?  And we used to be able to give her kisses once we put her in her crib and she would just suck her thumb and close her eyes.  Now she just wants to grab at my face and play.  Do I just stop the kisses/cuddles in her crib???  So many questions.  (and I keep thinking of more as I write this...)

It's tough dealing with a child who is starting to understand things around her.  I think it just may be a case of a girl who wants to spend more time with her mom & dad.

Suggestions?

[Matthew's Mommy]

I would actually look at extending her napping times. First, lengthen her awake time, so if she wakes up at 7 am, put her down a little bit closer to 9:15.. giving her time to settle on her own in her bed, so that she can fall asleep into the next sleep cycle. Then for her afternoon nap, give her nap 3 hours after her morning nap wake up.

I'm not sure if you have started solids, it wasn't clear on your post, but if you haven't I would look at breakfast, lunch and dinner.

For evening bedtime, definately keep the bath before the bottle. Sounds like she gets very wound up during her bath (gotta love those splashes!), and the bottle can help her settle down for sleep.  Don't worry about giving her a feed before bed, just make sure that she doesn't fall asleep on her bottle.

Do the book reading during the day, as part of her activity time. It may be too much stimulation before bedtime. 

When you put her into bed, move away from her bed, and give her the space to settle to sleep.  Sometimes if our little ones see us, they may associate it with playtime. Also take a look at her environment.. is it over stimulating.. is it too bright?

One last thing.. if she has the ability to self settle into sleep, she will return to it.  She's going through a bit of developmental milestone, and everything goes a little wonky during this time.. but it does settle down and back into routine.  Our nerves may be a bit frayed by this time.. and a few more grayhairs.. but that's parenthood!

Hope this helps!

[Isom'smom]

I'm not saying anything about naps, since ours are so screwed up, but maybe I can help w/ bedtime, since ours goes incredibly smooth (go fig).  As long as she's not falling asleep while she's eating, no worries, she won't associate them together.  It's just a good way to calm down after bath and fill the tummy. 

Story time: never too young for story time, but maybe too young for books before bed.  My boy gets super excited about eating books too.  If it tastes good, it must be a good story, right? :roll:     Instead of reading before bed, for a while, just tell her a story.  Heck, make up a story.  Reading to children at a young age is good because they begin to become familiar with the way a narrative works - beginning, middle, end; plot - character, crisis, climax, resolution; etc., etc., etc.  It also helps with vocabulary and social skills, not to mention encouraging good reading habits at a young age means that they will continue to read even as adults.  (Sorry about the tangent - my English degree required a symester of kiddie lit.)

Leave out the book at night time for a while, you can add it later when she's not eating everything in reach, and give a story you know from heart.

Let us know, I hope something in the mess above helps.

Crystal

[Kinlagh's Folks]

Wow - what great advice.  Thanks so much for the quick replies.  We now have something to work on tomorrow.

Follow up questions/comments:
- For her first wake time, does the awake time clock start when she starts playing in her crib, or when I go get her to start the day?  I usually let her play around 20-25 minutes before I go pick her up.  So if she starts stirring at 7:00, I'll leave her til about 7:20 before going in her room. 
- Matthew's mom, she is on solids and eating 3 meals per day (and loving all but fruit so far - strange)
- If we try these things tomorrow, do we keep or cut the catnap?
- When should we relax with the playtime.  She just started laughing so DH wants to get as many laughs in when he gets home from work.  I don't blame him.  Would it be ok to play like this until her bottle?  Then start to settle down? 
- Thanks for the suggestions regarding storytime.  It's pretty important to us as that's been part of our bedtime routine since the beginning.  I'll just have to build an imagination overnight!!

Thanks again.
Michelle

P.S.  dd is a great daytime napper.  No problems settling herself to sleep.  We've been putting her in her crib awake for months!

[Matthew's Mommy]

That's awesome about her ability to fall asleep!  Great job!

Definately, the clock starts when she wakes up.  So when you hear her wake up, take a look at the time. Definately give her the little morning play time in her bed.. this is an great opportunity to play independently. In fact, I love listening to Brendan chatter on in his bed, in the morning.

I would have her fun, gigglefest with daddy before her bath time. Maybe incorporate it into the bath time (We call it "Nakey naked time" in our home.) It's important to have fun with our babies.

Make the time after that, very calming, quiet and soothing.  Low lights, soft voices.  This will help her brain to release the calming hormones that will help her settle into sleep.

As for her afternoon cat nap.. if she wakes up at 3:00 or after.. then no afternoon cat nap.  If it's close to 3.. then pull back her bedtime a bit.  I think the afternoon cat nap may be interfering with her bedtime.  It does sound like you're in the middle of a transition.  So increase the time between her morning and afternoon nap.. do a quiet activity to extend the time (a little carry walk around the neighbourhood, slow dancing to music, cuddle with soft stuffed animal). 

It'll be a little wonky for a bit.. but she will settle into a new routine.

Hope this helps!

[Kinlagh's Folks]

Well we've tried everything you suggested and some nights are better than others.  But another item popped up this week which may be contributing to this fussiness.  She has teeth pushing through for the last 2 days.  So she's extra cuddly and I think it's definitely a separation thing now.  She's even crying a little at naptime.  And her naps are down to 45 mins - 1 hour.  So EASY is out the window for right now.  We're hoping that those darn teeth will pop up so dd (and mom) will get a break from the actual "teething".  Although I have to admit I love the cuddles!

Michelle

[Kinlagh's Folks]

Still no full tooth - it keeps popping up then disappearing.  But the bedtimes are much better.  3 nights in a row with no crying.   You know I just jixed us and she'll be hysterical tonight!   :shock:

Although all 3 days had an afternoon catnap.  Looks like she's not quite ready for a 2 nap day yet. 

Thanks for all your help and suggestions.  I think the new routine is helping!

[Meg's Mom]

Teeth can come down and then go back up - great huh!  More pain for the wee LO.

Excellent news, keep it up!!

[uts]

Good to know..I think our little one is having the same trouble