What do you do??

[BabySmurf]

I have a ten month old son, who has never really been a great sleeper, but we've always managed things okay.  Recently when I notice his sleepy signs and go to nurse him down, he gets to the point where his is fading off to sleep - eyes closed, breathing regular, muscles, relaxed - and then he rolls over and tries to crawl away! I catch him and try to nurse him back down, which sometimes works, but other times (and becoming more common), he starts to scream and cry and fight me.  He kicks and pushes away and gets all worked up, which makes me feel horrible! I let him loose, and he rolls into his crib and starts playing.  I'm stumped.  He's quite obviously sleepy (most times this happens, I'll bring him back out to the living room to play, and within 5 min he's clingy and acting sleepy again), but he just won't nap.  I'll wait 20 min or so and then try again until he finally falls asleep, but this is hugely frustrating! I feel awful that he gets so miserable, and at the same time I'm starting to get really angry...well desperate is more like it.  I NEED some time during the day for a variety of reasons (cooking, cleaning, sanity).  The other thing is that by the time he actually will nap, he's so overtired that he won't let me unlatch him, and I end up having to stay with him.  (which isn't a terrible thing most days, but other days I need to get up). 

It's just getting so hard! He had been my little obligate chest sleeper from birth to about 7 or 8 months old, and since we've been figuring out multiple food allergies/sensitivities, he doesn't sleep well at night, and I'm trying to figure out what to eat (which is really hard, when i don't get time to prepare foods during his nap times).  My husband is gone working 12+ hours per day, and due to other family circumstances, I don't really have anyone to ask for help.  Please tell me I'm not alone!!!!

Anyone with babes near this age with a similar issue? What do you do? Does it work??

[greenmulberry]

My 7 month old is starting to have trouble nursing to sleep. It is like she fights it, she will do a push up and try to crawl, or roll back and forth.

When that happens, I have to rock her to sleep, and I keep rocking until she is limp and fully out.

[BabySmurf]

rocking just makes him angrier, lol!  it used to work, like when he is going through a wonder week thingie, he mostly just used to yell, but would let me rock him.  this is totally new territory though. i'm glad that you found something that works for you!

[greenmulberry]

Yeah, we do have to get through some anger with the rocking sometimes. She doesn't always go down easy, we just keep rocking and singing, or my husband likes to just talk to her, he lists off all the things he has to complain about (says he is 'boring' her to sleep LOL) and she eventually goes down.

It's hard I know.

[ShanaV]

We have this exp very often! After a couple of tries at nursing down, just to have the baby roll off and squirm or crawl around, I'll wrap him on my back and walk around, fold laundry, etc. This either gets him calm enough to actually nurse down, or puts him fully to sleep. Hope it could work for you!

[BabySmurf]

Originally Posted by ShanaV 

We have this exp very often! After a couple of tries at nursing down, just to have the baby roll off and squirm or crawl around, I'll wrap him on my back and walk around, fold laundry, etc. This either gets him calm enough to actually nurse down, or puts him fully to sleep. Hope it could work for you!

I'm actually looking into carriers now...I have a K'Tan, but it's not doing the trick for us any more - DS is rather large, and I need something for a back carry.  What do you use?? In the past DS would only sleep in a carrier if I was walking; if I had to move around (stop and go, bend down, etc) he would always wake up, but I am at the point where I need to try something else!

[Tear78]

I think the Ergo would be perfect for you. I linked my review of it. I love it for older kiddos like yours!

[tooraloora]

When my DS was going through that a couple months ago, I put him on my back in my mei tai and then went about my business. It took him about 2-3 minutes to fall asleep.

[BabySmurf]

awesome! it looks like a back carrier is the way to go! i'll look into the ergo and mei tie!

[wehrli]

love my ergo!

[neonalee]

DS does this sometimes. Once I was so tired I just stayed in bed half asleep. He crawled around talking happily to himself & playing with the stuffed animal we keep on the bed. It was pretty cute actually. Then next thing I knew he was asleep! So that's what I do now - nothing. Wait. There are times that doesn't work. Oh it drives me crazy when he wont sleep!

sent from my phone using tapatalk, please excuse typos.

[ShanaV]

I have a bunch of carriers. Babyhawk mei tai, a beco Gemini, and a couple of woven wraps. Been using the wraps most recently.

[Megan73]

Have you tried put him down for a few minutes to see what happens?
Sometimes DS2 just seems too wound up to go to sleep and keeps nursing to sleep then waking up and writhing around. In total frustration one time I put him in his rarely-used crib and went to have a pee. When I got back a few minutes later he was asleep! It still works sometimes. If not I break out the Ergo

[Tear78]

Originally Posted by Megan73 

Have you tried put him down for a few minutes to see what happens?
Sometimes DS2 just seems too wound up to go to sleep and keeps nursing to sleep then waking up and writhing around. In total frustration one time I put him in his rarely-used crib and went to have a pee. When I got back a few minutes later he was asleep! It still works sometimes. If not I break out the Ergo

[Baby_Cakes]

Car ride down a highway!  Thats what I used to do with DD.  She would usually pass out within a few minutes, and I'd either park and read a book, or go home and carefully transfer her to the couch/crib/bed.

Also, just accept.  Accept this is how it is.  You are doing nothing wrong, there is nothing wrong with your baby.  The faster you accept that this is just how they are and that resistance is futile, the better quality of life both you AND baby will have.  One missed nap isn't going to ruin him, but if you get so frustrated and angry that you lose your cool *which I did COUNTLESS times* it's no good for either of you!

[BabySmurf]

Originally Posted by neonalee 

DS does this sometimes. Once I was so tired I just stayed in bed half asleep. He crawled around talking happily to himself & playing with the stuffed animal we keep on the bed. It was pretty cute actually. Then next thing I knew he was asleep! So that's what I do now - nothing. Wait. There are times that doesn't work. Oh it drives me crazy when he wont sleep!

sent from my phone using tapatalk, please excuse typos.

I really need to make our bed a little more baby safe....i wouldn't be totally surprised if DS would do this, but our mattress is still too high and he likes to play "chicken" and crawl full speed ahead at the edge and belly plant at the edge.  he *knows* that the floor is too far to reach, but he is still fearless and likes to make me work....so i usually just take him back to the living room  =P  (we have the crib sidecarred and i set up a pillow fort when i need to leave him)

Originally Posted by ShanaV 

I have a bunch of carriers. Babyhawk mei tai, a beco Gemini, and a couple of woven wraps. Been using the wraps most recently.

i just found a local baby wearing group, so i get to try everything! i'm so excited - i like the idea of the wraps, but i'm afraid of wrangling LO onto my back...i know it's possible though, so i guess it's great that i can try!

[BabySmurf]

Good ideas Ladies!  I think I just need to come to terms with the fact that DS has some sleep fighting issues...and this degree is typically a phase.  He's been going down a little easier again and I can feel my frustration melting away...at least during the day.  Ug, it just feels good to hear I'm not the only one!!