Author Topic: Breaking the tired cycle... HELP please  (Read 1789 times)

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Offline NatalyaW

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Breaking the tired cycle... HELP please
« on: August 16, 2005, 01:48:51 am »
My 8-wk-old had her 2nd nap today (should have been 10am to 11:45)  interrupted and proceeded to scream for 45 minutes as I tried to get her back to sleep. Finally I gave up and fed her, had activity, etc. Then her next nap was affected, though. It took an hour to get her to settle down, then she woke up after 15 minutes, went back down for 30 and then it was all over. The whole day went like this because she was so exhausted.

I really need some tips on breaking the cycle of getting overtired for a spirited/touchy baby.

Offline Claire Marie's mommy

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Breaking the tired cycle... HELP please
« Reply #1 on: August 16, 2005, 02:10:26 am »
Hi!  This happens to me sometimes also. If my daughters first nap is short, I usually try for about 20 min to get her back to sleep.  If she gets hysterical, I take her out of the room to distract her and stop the out of control crying.  After about 20 min, I go back in and do the whole wind down routine again.  If this doesn't work, I do some very low key activity until her feed time.  Then feed, diaper change and right back in to do the wind down.  The feed usually really relaxes her (we bf) and she will usually sleep for about 2 hours as she is REALLY tired by this point.  I know you're not supposed to feed before sleep, but when it comes to this, I think you have to pick your battles.  Sleep (and your sanity) is more important.  After she sleeps, you can get back on schedule.  Hope this helps!

Jessica

Offline jennc123

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Breaking the tired cycle... HELP please
« Reply #2 on: August 16, 2005, 02:28:57 am »
i won't be any help here , I am having similar problems with my babe.
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Offline Jadynsmom

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Breaking the tired cycle... HELP please
« Reply #3 on: August 16, 2005, 02:36:37 am »
Hi there,

When my lo was doing her infamous 45min naps and was tired, she would scream, too.  I would do everything & anything to get her back to sleep, pat/shh, rock for a bit, pick her up and hold her over shoulder, etc.  One day, I put her in my sling because I was tired to leaning over or picking her up.  I gave her the paci & lovey as she likes to put the lovey on her face, then I would pat her bottom in the sling and walk around the room. She went to sleep within mins.  This worked almost every time!! It might be worth a try if you want to break that viscious cycle of being overtired.  I would only use the sling when she would not go back to sleep & cried really loudly or screamed. 

Kathy

Offline lins

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Let me know if you manage to get it to work!!
« Reply #4 on: August 16, 2005, 15:31:42 pm »
Your baby sounds just like mine - spirited / touchy and I'm almost at the end of my tether.  he sleeps really well at night - mostly I think because he screams for most of the day!  I've been trying to persevere with the pat shush thing but I feel that once his first nap is only 45 mins and he gets cranky I spend the whole day in his room trying to soothe him.  After that he never has any happy wakey time - he just cries.  I'm really worried that I'm doing it wrong because I feel like he should play a little bit at this age - he's almost 8 weeks - but he just seems permanently tired and miserable.

If anyone has any ideas I'd love to hear them too!

lins xxx

Offline krice

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Breaking the tired cycle... HELP please
« Reply #5 on: August 16, 2005, 18:18:03 pm »
I find that if DS gets off his schedule and things start to go downhill I won't struggle with him to try to make him sleep.  I will get him up and give him an extra activity time - maybe only 5-15 minutes.  I watch for his sleepy cues again, and then put him down the minute he rubs his eye or yawns.  This has worked well for us and I have found that DS will usually be able to get back on track.

Good luck.
Cheers,

Kathy
Mom to Matthew (05-06-05)



Offline Matthew's Mommy

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Breaking the tired cycle... HELP please
« Reply #6 on: August 16, 2005, 19:38:58 pm »
I survived Brendan's early 45 min napping ways (he started around 7 weeks), by focussing on helping him to learn how to fall asleep at the beginning of his nap (pat shush), if I could get him back down at the 45 min. mark (I would go in early, somewhat a wake to sleep method) then I would use some accidental parenting and lie down with him, take him out for a walk or car ride. 

When he was 3 months old, then I changed methods. Since he was old enough to begin self soothing, then I tackled things differently, going in early, applying pressure ( he was a side sleeper) on his arm, legs to stop the jolts, shielding his eyes from visual distraction. And I stuck to it.. he would get upset and cry and cry because he was soo tired, but I just continued to help him resettle.  As he progressed to 4 months, then I went into pu.pd.

A few things that helped-- a very dark room, making sure he fell asleep independently (assisted independently prior to 4 months), keeping awake times short (under 3 months) and ensuring overstimulation doesn't occur, and of course.. keeping myself calm! and just knowing that it's developmental and he will get through it.

Typically, infants go into a morning and afternoon nap pattern by 6 months of age, with consistent 1.5-2 hour naps.  Some need more guidance, where you need to tweak habits and lenghten awake times (after 3 months of age.. NOT prior).

Hope this helps,
Jane
Whispering since 2001
Matthew July 27th, 2001
Brendan October 21st, 2004