Negative association with sleep time routine

[pooperman]

Hi

It appears our 4 month old son has developed a negative association with bed time, following some difficult months.

Regardless of timing - undertired, spot on, overtired - he cries intensely when any part of the bed time routine is happening (swaddling, darkened room, placed in crib...). It is clear to the point where one can hold him facing outside the bedroom and he calms, turn to face into the bedroom and he cries, repeat with identical results. One can hold him gently and try every kind of comfort once in this state if still in the environment and he will scream frighteningly intensely until eventually is tired out and then he settles beautifully in his crib and drops off by himself.

Interestingly, we've experienced a similar behaviour with breastfeeding when sometimes he will fuss and cry and complain until distracted and reintroduced to the idea and he then settles down for a long feed.

Is he fighting it or is he experiencing the situation in a way I am not seeing?

With thanks
F

[ZacsMumme]

Hello!
Few quick questions which may help us all to help you:

Does your LO have reflux/colic?
How long has this been going on for?
Can you please post your EASY for the last 24 hours?

((HUGS))

[pooperman]

Hi

> Does your LO have reflux/colic?
I have read through Reflux 101 - General reflux information http://babywhispererforums.com/index.php?topic=654.0 and it doesn't appear like a stand-out diagnosis. His fussing is very clearly associated with the bed time indicators as described. The feed fussing I'm not 100% sure about as he is fussing one moment and happy to feed the next.

> How long has this been going on for?
We've picked up the clear negative sleep association in the past few weeks.

>Can you please post your EASY for the last 24 hours?
His EASY is a bit erratic at the moment, given he appears to be in some kind of transition phase, especially since we moved from 2/2.5 hour to 3/3.5 hour cycles in the last two weeks. Have previously discussed A time on forum - working on reducing A time and increasing nap lengths, however the freaking out about sleep scene is making it hard. Interestingly, shhh (no pat) worked brilliantly with him yesterday, but by evening he would cry if we started it - knew what was coming?

Last 24 hours (see approximation attached):
Start   Sleep End   Hours sleep/Hours awake
00:47   feed      
01:20   01:37   0.28/00:33 sleep
02:07   06:00   3.88/00:30 sleep
06:33   feed      
07:54   08:29   0.58/01:54 sleep
09:41   feed      
11:01   11:49   0.8/02:32 sleep
12:56   13:41   0.75/01:07 sleep
13:50   feed
16:10   17:02   0.87/02:29 sleep
17:10   feed      
18:32   feed      (unexpectedly long feed)
20:02   00:05   4.05/03:00 sleep (took long to settle)
22:32   dream feed      
00:30   05:20   4.83 sleep,   woke up and had to be settled again, cried
05:22   feed      
05:40   07:20   1.67/00:20 sleep
07:44   fussing at breast      

With thanks
F