Hi,
This is my first time posting and I'm hoping someone can help me get on the right path. I think it might be a novel, too. Sorry about this! I've read many posts that address this to some degree but right now I'm feeling completely overwhelmed and I have no idea where to start. I have a 3.5 month DS who refuses to nap on his own and needs my breast to fall asleep. When he does sleep it's never longer than 45 minutes. I figured I could post in props, EASY or here, but opted to start here.
I'm just not sure where to begin with a fix! Sadly, I have to admit I read BW before I had Zander but forgot everything shortly after he was born (about 2 minutes after). By 3 weeks he started displaying colicky symptoms and by 5 weeks he was diagnosed with acid reflux. He cried, wailed and raged for 3-4 hours a day. I didn't care about any routine, I just wanted some semblance of sanity so I did whatever it took to get him to sleep.
Needless to say, I have undoubtedly created a slew of issues with him that I'm at a loss on how to begin to fix. Now I'd characterize him as a Spirited/Textbook baby. He loves baths and swimming, but hates naps!
His schedule is something like this:
7:30 wake
7:40 eat
8:00-8:45 activity (low-key and in my bed)
8:45-10:30 sleeps (falls asleep on own, but requires a shh-pat to keep asleep past 45 min)
10:30 eat
10:45-12 activity
12-2 nap - attempted. After an hour of fighting with him and his high pitched inconsolable wail, I give in and give him the breast so he'll nap from 1-1:45)
1:45 eat
2-2:30 activity - which is anything I can do to keep his crankiness at bay. I become the house-jester.
2:30-3:45 nap -attempted. see above
3:45 eat
4-5:30 activity
5:30 another attempted nap
6:30 eat
7:30 bath
8:00 bed - bed time is no problem but he goes to sleep with the breast. He typically sleeps until 4 am for a feed and then wakes up between 6-8
I've tried pu/pd, I've tried shortening his activity time, and am watching his tired cues like a hawk. But given the first yawn or eye rub (MAYBE 45 minutes after he wakes from his morning nap) I race us into his room for winding down. We change his diaper, rock in the chair, and read a book. He's all good until I lay him down at which point he starts whimpering. I pat and shh but no matter how long I do it (1.5 hours today) he ends up melting down and going absolutely MENTAL. He turns purple and goes completely rigid he cries so hard. Once he goes there the only thing I've found is the breast to get him out of it. When we swaddle, it just sends him into meltdown even faster.
I'm not sure if I'm just giving up to easy or what. all I know is I'm emotionally exhausted. He's SO great in the morning and an hour past his first nap, but by 2pm I'm spent. I'm getting close to my own meltdown and would sure appreciate any love, thoughts, or advice anyone out there can give.
Thanks!
