Probably not new, issues with sleep...

[belledal]

Hello all,

Probably not a new issue, but cannot search site for topics so am asking for people to repeat themselves! lol.

Have a 4 month old, sleeps well at night, all night x 8 hours. goes down after breastfeeding while still awake, takes him about 10 minutes but he always falls asleep.

The issue is daytime naps. He'll sleep 2 to 3 hours on my chest, but only 45 minutes in the crib. lately, its down to 10 minutes in the crib and he and I are both exhausted. I try just popping in and soothing (without picking him up), but nothing works, I've done it for 15 minutes and he doesn't fall back asleep, only gets more and more upset, then starts coughing and crying harder. Then it takes 30 minutes just to console him afterwards. yesterday he was up 6 hours no nap as he was fighting it all day. We're both tired. Today, he went 3 hours no nap, fell asleep immediately after I put a soother in and on my chest, boom, he was out. i waited 10 minutes went upstairs and he was down. Yippee I thought....no way! 10 minutes later, up and crying.

I tried lying in my bed and putting my hand on him (but he can't see me) and nope.

Desperate and tired! both of us! I read the book, I know what it says, but geez this is hard!!!

[clazzat]

Could you post your EASY?  That might help all the lovely ladies on this board figure out what's going on.

[belledal]

Sure, thanks for the assistance.

This is how it was up to a week ago....
DURING THE DAY
Eat - 5 to 15 mins on the breast, then 4 oz (or 120 ml) of formula (another 5 to 10 minutes). Eats about 5 times a day approx every 4 hours.
Activity - between 1.5 to 2 hours activity - diapers, play, playpen, jolly jumper, back time, tummy time, tv time (he likes to just sit and watch), vibrating chair, etc...
Sleep - between 1.5 to 2 hours on my chest, or 30 to 45 mins in bassinet after being rocked for 10 minutes

NIGHT
EAT - usually between 7 and 9 (same as above)
ACTIVITY - bath time between 7 and 9 every other day
SLEEP - rock to sleep, put down, stays asleep 8 hours. When wakes at 4 or 5 am, feed, diaper, put down (no rocking) and goes to sleep w/in 15 mins (cooing, chatting, soother)

NOW
EAT - same as above
ACTIVITY - same as above HOWEVER
SLEEP - rock to sleep, put in bassinet, sleeps 10 mins tops.
Then more ACTIVITY (up to 6 hours) before he falls asleep from exhaustion. Today he fell asleep while bottle feeding then crashed, I put him down 5 minutes ago, he's still out.

He's changed his pattern. Growing I guess. now he won't stay in bassinet until night (likely exhausted) he just wants to stay up or sleep on me, which I'm trying to stop.

[clazzat]

How are things going now?  Sorry you haven't had any replies - I'll see if I can help.

What time does he start his day?  We aim for a 12h day/12h night, so if he is not going to bed until 9pm but is starting the day at 6 or 7am then he will get very OT no matter how many naps he is having. 

The rocking is also clearly becoming a prop - if you are rocking him to sleep and then putting him down then he will be waking up confused because he is no longer where he was when he went to sleep.  It is hard work, but you will have to really be consistent with putting him in his cot/bassinet and then use sh/pat to get him to sleep - you sh to give him something soothing to listen to, and pat rhythmically and gently to give him something physical to focus on.  It does take a long time at first - and you should keep sh/patting until he is in a deep sleep to make sure that he doesn't wake up (probably at least 20 mins).  If he wakes early from a nap, you use the same process to try to extend it.

Hope this helps.

[belledal]

Thanks for replying - yeah - bummer no replies!

He's up at 5/530 generally to eat, then right back to bed until 8, then goes about 12 hours up, 10 to 12 down, depending (and repeat)

sh/pat working now, sometimes takes him 2 mins without any crying (with just hand on belly, rather than patting) to fall asleep, sometimes its a 20 minute fight, but getting better. Last put down of the day always the hardest, like he knows its the 'big sleep".

Thanks for the advice, I have a friend who also a fan of sh/pat who helped me through the rough patches! Had one nap that took over an HOUR to get him down, but now its under 5 most times, just now (last sleep) took 15 mins, but not overt crying, just whining.

[clazzat]

Sounds like you have made some great progess - that's wonderful.  It does keep getting easier, until you will find that you don't need to do it at all.