We've never had great sleep, so I'll keep the background brief. At 6 months we had great help from this site when our AP prop was no longer working. Then an unbroken string of disruptions, and we didn't realize we were developing a new prop. A few weeks ago LO went from 3 naps to 2 irregular naps. That prop and schedule are now out the window and a worse phase has begun this week, so I'll start there. It's irregular, but I see some pattern.
It seems he can only sleep at ~11:30 (4.5-5.5 h A time) after howling terribly. Before that he seems only occasionally and mildly tired, and climbs/cries ceaselessly once in the crib. That is an abnormally long A, but yesterday when I tried putting him down earlier he gave the most violent screams...and succumbed only at ~11:50 anyway. Slept for 3:20; no other nap. Nighttimes have been consistent and not bad throughout.
He has a history of "being stuck in a cry and can't get out." Today, funny noises and a few other things sometimes temporarily distracted him. In the end he basically collapses. I give an extra feed during that long A, early enough that he doesn't fall asleep from it. I do suspect he may want to fall asleep BFing. He won't take a paci.
I'd accept his atypical schedule if that's just his idiosyncrasy, but I'd like to reduce/eliminate the struggle and screams. I've heard some babies need to cry before they sleep (?), but this is very hard on him and me, as they are such awful screams, not mantra cries. Can someone please help us? Thank you.
