My 10 week old baby is starting to suffer from sleep deprivation. When put down for a nap in his crib, he wakes after about 30 minutes at the longest every time. It's like after a sleep cycle when he wakes a little, he can't put himself back to sleep. The only way he sleeps is in the Ergo with my husband. He ends up catching up on sleep for like 2 hours. At night he sleeps with us. Because of his short naps he's been tired almost every hour. We really need help fixing this. I'd love to get him at about 3 naps a day with some good solid healthy sleep in his crib. Any help is welcome!
Update> we eventually do want to stop co sleeping but I think if I stop everything all at once he will have a meltdown. He's already not sleeping enough and the nap training has been really hard on him. I ideally wanted to get the naps under control and then handle night sleeping.
Put him in his carseat and set him on the dryer and turn it on, the vibration helps them stay asleep. Just make sure he wont vibrate off, secure it somehow. I had a friend that did that EVERYday with her infant and it worked like a charm.
For naptimes, the swaddling (Swaddle-Mes are great) and sleeping in a swing or carseat may do the trick. Also white noise. Mine were just like that, napping only 15 min. Then I figured out they slept great in the car, so then slept in the carseat inside the crib for every nap until 4.5 months. when they learned to roll over and suck on their fingers almost instantly they were ok with napping in the crib. Do whatever works for 4-5 months, then work on your sleep plan. I think you are on the right track to tackle the nap now, wait a couple months, then reassess your cosleeping at night. If the nighttime is OK and everybody is getting a reasonable amount of sleep, I would keep it for now, as you said you can't do everything at once. Things may just fall into place in a couple months, if you need more advice, The Sleepeasy Solution by Jennifer waldberger is the best book, very practical and gives you a variety of options.
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I am a big believer in a schedule with kid's sleep, but I really think he is too young for one at this point. Try a swing, try the swaddling when you sense that he is getting sleepy. I don't think there is much else you can do at this age. I agree with getting away from co-sleeping to try to teach him to sleep without your presence. I think the book by Dr Ferber titled Solving Your Child's Sleep Problems is excellent for so many issues. Now would be a great time to start reading it, because it won't be long before you will be able to try some things to get him into a sleep routine. Best of luck!
Are you swaddeling? Have you tried the swing? Do you have blackout curtains on his curtains? 10 weeks is still really young-- he will settle into naps by 4 months or so. Just do what you have to do to get him to sleep. My son slept in a crib or his swing every time , and I think having some consistent sleep environments is really important. If you haven't read Ferber's "Solving Your Child's Sleep Problem", you really should check it out.
maybe he is getting confused with sleeping with you and in his crib maybe just put him in his crib for both nap and bedtime or in a pack in play in your room if you want him close to you also try soft music
The only other thing I can think of is it's worth asking your pediatrician if there's anything physical you need to be aware of. Too young for teething, but acid reflux or tummy troubles, ear canal issues, etc. Rule out the physical health issues.
I'll add that co-sleeping may or may not be an issue. Plenty of friends did the co-sleeping thing with no problems.
the only thing that helped my baby sleep was the comfort of swaddling. She went from taking cat naps like yours to sleeping for at least an hour at a time. We started using the self swaddlers at about 3 weeks, and used them until 9 months. It might be worth a try.
Things you may have tried, but just in case:
- a smelly garment of yours/husbands, tied to the crib where he can't reach it, but can smell you
- one of those crib rocking/vibrating devices
- flannel sheets, which aren't as cold/shocking when lying down (or try warming the spot with a warm towel before you lay him down)
- white noise machine
- completely black (I know that nap time is supposed to be diff from night time, but my son won't sleep at all if there's any trace of light, we even had to black out the teensy green light on his monitor)
- quite time before the nap (my son always needs wind-down time before sleeping - he can't go from high activity to sleep like some of his friends)
Good luck!!!
Edited to add: LOL @ the "whole camp" comment below. There's also a whole camp of moms who know that every family is different and what works for some, may not work for others, its all trial and error :)
Our son used to sleep in the swing...day and night. The dr. told us it didn't matter where he slept as long as he slept. Good luck.. Though I know it feels like it...it won't last forever. :)
Hi, A.:
Have you talked to your peds' nurse?
Have you tried a newborn massage.
Gentle Touch Massage video can help teach you.
Good luck.
D.
