Help! I have a 14 week old who will only nap in the sling, and hates the pram/car seat. How do I start sleep training as I've read such varying things about this age?
Some background: For the first 6 weeks of life I BF on demand, and often not to sleep. She would sleep in arms or on her side in a tilted bassinet as she had consistent colds (thanks to her older brother). We also tried to rock her to sleep, sometimes with a dummy, to get her to sleep, which she would cry a lot with but eventually fall asleep, alongside a sling.
We then had a hospital admission as he was having what looked like mini seizures, but after investigation is hypothesised to be related to silent reflux. She is now on Omeprazole and the seizures have stopped. Because of the suggested diagnosis her bedside cot is tilted, and we hold her for 20-30mins after a feed.
Since then it has been easier for her to just nap in the sling, particularly as at first there was such little time between feeds, holding upright, then naps. Not to mention needing to see to our 2.5yo (who attends nursery Tues-Thurs, rest of the time home with me). She still fusses and takes work to get to sleep in sling (bum patting, white noise, dummy), though conks out a bit quicker when I'm out and about. She resists sleeping in the pram, and hates the car seat, which I assume is due to the reflux. I've tilted the bassinet but no luck. I also try watch out for her sleep cues and go by recommended awake times (currently 1-2 hours).
At night we try do a bedtime routine where possible (music, change, baby massage, swaddle and into dark room with white noise) and now BF to sleep as seems to be the only thing that calms her. She generally sleeps well (for now!) waking for about 3 feeds (one of which is a dream feed). She generally wakes around 5pm for the last feed, which can be tiring as not long after I need to get up with the toddler.
So!
Where do I start! The sling naps are exhausting and I know the BF to sleep at night will come round to bite me soon enough. Can I start training with the daytime naps as they have a different sleep association?
What's reasonable to start doing considering her age? I think the 4 month sleep regression is starting as her day naps are shortening and the longer nap generally only if I re-jig her to sleep in the sling.
How do I sleep train with toddler in tow? Start on a Tuesday? Try arrange child care?
I've read a baby swing can help BF babies nap, and not too bad to wean off as gradually slow it down. I've tried bouncing her in the bjorn bouncer but not much luck. I've also bought a couple of Swaddle Ups so she can have her hands by her face which she likes. Any thoughts whether these might help?
I'd be very grateful for any advice and help!
