We began swaddling my now 8-month old son when he was 2 months old, as he would fling his arms about and wake himself up every few minutes if he was not swaddled. A few weeks back, we stopped swaddling him. It only took 3 nights for him to adjust for overnight sleeping; however, he still has not adjusted for naps. When swaddled, he would nap for about 1-1/2 hours in the morning and 1 hour in the afternoon. Now, unswaddled, he naps for about 25 minutes in the morning and 20 minutes in the afternoon. He is obviously tired during the day now and is much crankier than we're used to, and we know it's because of his recent lack of sleep during the day. I've tried numerous techniques to help him nap, but nothing has worked so far. Has anyone been in a similar situation? What method worked for you? We are currently trying to adjust his napping routine to include storytime before naps. We really want to get our little guy napping again so he returns to his normal happy self.
E.,
I don't know how you 'weaned' your son from the swaddle but we started with one arm in and one arm out. Then went to both arms out but still the swaddle around her stomach and finally not swaddle at all. You might want to swaddle your son for naps again for a few days while he catches up on his sleep and then try and wean him from the nap time swaddling slowly and see how it goes.
L. M
I had the same thing with my son too! It was hard to transition! I put him in awake with some soft books and his paci. He would play with the books until he crashed and sometimes even was caught cuddling them! I know they say nothing in the crib, but he missed the cuddley feeling. Now I let him also take in one stuffed animal too! Also try some lullabye music. I bought a cheap CD player and CD and he now knows when the music is on it is time to sleep! It also helps to not take him out everytime he cries. I would go in and rub his back, but leave him in his crib, that way he knew I was there, but he still had to sleep. Now he sleeps through the night and takes great naps!
If swaddling worked why on earth did you stop? Swaddle him for at least his naps.
He may be ready to stay up a little longer in the morning and just take one longer nap during the day instead of 2 naps. My son is 6 so I don't remember when we transitioned from 2 naps to 1 but if he is no sleeping as long it may be worth a try. or as the other post noted keep him swaddled for nap and see if that works.
Does he sleep on his back or his belly? If he's on his tummy then he won't flail and will probably be much more comfortable. At 8 months, this should be fine.
swaddle that baby up!!! just do it for naps if need be. did you post about him waking up an hr into bedtime too? it's probably bc he isn't swaddled. let him let you know when he is ready to go without it. I swaddled my girlie until 10 mo. they're so little, and should have every comfort they can!!!
Hold him in a sling while he naps, or nap with him. If he liked swaddling, he will like the feel of you next to him.
