4 month old sleep issues. Help!

[71newmom]

I could really use some advice on my 4 month old. He will not go to sleep easily, and will not stay asleep most of the time. I literally spend my whole day trying to get him to nap, and many times he can go all day with just getting a few minutes of sleep (while I am holding him or just when I put him down). If I put him down asleep, he wakes right away and cries turn into screams. If I put him down drowsy but awake, his eyes widen and he gets upset that I put him down. He goes from fussy to crying to frantic, whether or not I stay in the room or if I leave. At night, getting him down is an hours long process. He'll nurse just fine, sometimes nurse to sleep, but it's always the same thing after that. The most he will sleep at night is 2 hrs continuously, and then nurse. Getting him back to sleep is a chore. Sometimes he'll be wide awake for an hour or so, then we nurse again and try to get him to sleep. I have kept track of his sleeping hours, and some days he's only getting 10 or so hours in a 24 hr period, when he should be getting about 15. I'm embarrassed to even admit this and I'm so worried about his development with so little sleep. I have a 3 yr old and he was not like this at all, so I just don't know what to do. How do I get this baby to sleep? I've read many of the sleep books. The one where you put your baby to sleep 90 minutes after each waking actually makes sense and he does seem tired and nod off at those intervals, but he doesn't stay asleep. He doesn't have any health issues, and he is perfectly comfortable sleeping on my lap or in my arms. We don't cosleep, but we do have the co-sleeper attached to the bed. The sling doesn't work, nor does the swing or carseat, etc. Any help would be appreciated!

[Pavlovs]

Have you tried wearing your LO in a wrap or sling for sleeping? Until recently my 8 month old took at least one good nap per day while I wore him. It's nice for you because you can move around and get things done, and nice for the babe because usually they feel so comforted being so close to you.

[Abraisme]

Have you tried swaddling? My baby wouldn't sleep for more than 10 minutes at a time unless she was swaddled until she was 7.5mo old. I know it seems odd to start swaddling an older baby, but it might help.

[annarose999]

Originally Posted by Abraisme

Have you tried swaddling? My baby wouldn't sleep for more than 10 minutes at a time unless she was swaddled until she was 7.5mo old. I know it seems odd to start swaddling an older baby, but it might help.

yeah this. i started swaddling at about 3 months and it worked like a charm. lo has her days so it's not fail proof but it's worth a try. on the days she starts screaming when i put her down with drowsy eyes, i just nurse her laying down in our bed until she falls asleep. usually takes 15 minutes or so and i have to pull my nipple out (have paci handy just in case!), but this almost always works. this is post swaddle btw.

[Bokonon]

I could have written the exact same post when DD was 4 months old. That age sucks. It does pass though, I promise!

[inky leeuhhh]

i think if he needs to sleep, he will sleep. i feel for you though. it's so hard not getting a good stretch of sleep, or some time during the day to have your arms to yourself. it will pass though. good luck!