Bad daytime habits

[Boymum]

Hi, I have a 4 month old boy and he seems to sleep alright during the night, waking only for one feed and going straight back to sleep...he also spits dummy or cries out for it, but straight back to sleep after (about 2-3 times). My question though is about daytime naps...does anyone elses baby start to scream at you or cry hysterically at the tops of their lungs when they are tired....ususally if out and about (in pram or baby sling) but also at home sometimes? He won't put himself to sleep during the day but does at night, weird. He needs me to bounce him and sway him etc...to calm him down before he stops crying and starts to nod off. I am thinking it is due to his grunting and pushing for bowel movements and or wind pains as he does this when I am getting him to go to sleep a few times a day. Maybe he wants to sleep to block out the sensation? And when he's over tired why doesn't he put himself to sleep during the day? I have tried the cot, his bouncer, his swing chair, the floor, the pram etc...he'll sleep in any of these once I settle him and get him to sleep though. Any suggestions or advise on how to get him to settle during the day would be great. Do you think it's because of over excitement because he's so active and alert? Thanks.

[maddymoo]

Yes I know excactly what you are talking about. My girl always settled herself at night and slept thru. Day time is another story I think bubs find it alot more difficult to wind down during the day bacause there is alot more activity. It got worse for me when Madeleine got to six months probable because she was exploring so many new things. It has now improved (she is almost 8 months) But it does take a bit of work and persistance. I found the "Lay down method" to work a treat. This is the recommendation of Tizzy Hall (Baby sleep consultant) www.saveoursleep.com.au
I wish i had of followed these methods earlier. It was'nt untill she started standing in the cot that we had big problems! So the earlier you sort it out the better you will both be. Don't get me wrong, we still have our bad days (like thismorning) but bub will get the message if you stick to it.
All the best!
I see you are at Thornlands, I'm in Birkdale.

[amymay]

hi,

just wondering if you can help me with the lay down method. I look on the website but could not find this technique. i would love you to explain it if you can

thanks
amy :)

[Boymum]

Thank you Maddymoo for your reply, I will take some time to read the website you reffered me to. I am glad I am not the only one with a baby who doesn't like to put himself to sleep during the day. Like you said...they are taking in so much during the day, my guess is that he's overstimulated as he is always needing to be kept occupied and doing new things.

Yes I am in Thornlands, have lived in the Redlands for many years. It's funny who we find on the forums that live close by.

Thanks for your advice, I will try to teach him as soon as possible before he/we get into any more bad habits.

Thanks.

[Charlie]

Amelia's only 7 weeks...but she's the same...lots of farty pains during the day...make her uncomfortable!!! :crying:

[Boymum]

Hi again, just wanted to say that my little one seems to be settling a little bit better....not fully on his own but it's a start....I have decided that he needs to be kept busy so I take him out for a drive and to the Chemist or shops, take him for a walk in pram (even though he cries in the pram a lot, must hate it) to the park and we go on the swings or I take him in the bath with toys and spend a bit of time in there splashing and swaying him in the warm water. These things wear him out enough that he wants to sleep and if I put him in his swing chair and sing to him for only a minute or so he falls asleep. I know I can't do this everytime, but these things also help keep his mind of his farty pains too.

Charlie, my DS has always had farty pains....he grunts and struggles to poo too even though he's already been that day, sometimes he cries over it (he used to always cry over it when younger) but each day is getting better. Babies don't like the feeling of their bowels moving, plus with the windy pains it doesn't help any. I find Infants Friend drops work a treat when he's all worked up over these pains, he seems to know that it helps him and settles within 5-10 minutes or so ready to have his nap. Also what helps is using the fit ball....I swaddle him, give him a dummy and bounce up and down with him in my arms, within 30 seconds he's practically asleep...sometimes I need to pat his bottom pretty hard and he forgets the wind pains. If you don't have a fit ball, use the end of your bed to bounce up and down on (pretty hard though, they like the movement). It might not be a good habit to get into, but helps baby out. He isn't reliant on this method, he's growing out of it...things do get easier for them (ahh but then there's teething).

Anyway, I will try to keep you updated on our bad daytime sleeping habits.

Bye.

[Charmain]

Oh same here. I am so glad i am not the one that has a child that will not sleep in the day. i cannot work it out!! like every other thing, every day is different and some better than others but recently, because she is starting to roll over alot more and move around, there is so much to explore in her cot.

Good luck guys:)