Forum Index
»
Infants, Toddlers, & Preschoolers
3.5 month old will not go to sleep
![[Post New]](/jforum/templates/default/images/icon_minipost_new.gif){kind=icon}
Anonymous
|
Our 3.5 month old can not fall asleep. All techniques - nursing, patting, shushing, singing work long enough for him to fall asleep, but the moment we try to put him in his crib or leave him on our bed or carseat no matter how long he has been asleep, we wakes up and starts screaming. This is true of nap times or night time and we have no idea what to do. He eventually collapses in exhaustion and/or we manage to successfully put him to sleep when feeding, but we never know. He has never been good with a pacifier - spitting it out quite quickly and frequently so we've given up on that as well. He does put his fingers in his mouth but it doesn't seem to adequately soothe him.
We do try putting him down before he is too tired so it isn't just a matter of being exhausted. This has gotten much worse in the last month reaching this point now. 6 weeks ago he would nap well in his crib if the timing was right although evenings have never been easy. Any ideas would be appreciated. |
Anonymous
|
I am also dealing with sleep issues. I would say, from all the books I've been reading, that you need to either wait until he is in a deep sleep to put him down or put him down drowsy and let him go to sleep in the crib by himself. The latter is preferable for long run success but easier said that done. I just bought the Baby Whisperer Solves all your problems and am fascinated that things seem to be working. Last night my DS fell asleep by himself after he woke up during the night (he is 6 months old and I don't think he has EVER done that). I was hesitant for months to buy this book because I read that she called nursing to sleep and other things like that 'accidental parenting' and I didn't think I agreed with that point of view, but I finally bought it because so many other DCUM had recommended it. And now that I read her books I see she has a very gentle approach that makes sense.
|
Anonymous
| Have you tried swaddling him? Our 3.5 month old has similar issues regarding sleep (she just fights it and often won't fall asleep on her own), although I don't think they sound as bad as yours. We swaddled her when she was first born, but later stopped because she didn't seem to like it. But we've started swaddling again over the past week, and it seems to really help put her down and keep her down. A friend suggested the Miracle Blanket for swaddling (we just use a large receiving blanket) - she said it indeed works miracles. In a fit of frustration one night, I bought the Baby Whisperer, the No-Cry Sleep Solution, and Ferber's book - I haven't read any of them yet, so I can't offer any advice on which method works best! |
Anonymous
| We also returned to swaddling our 4.5 month old for similar reasons. We are using the miracle blanket and it really does help settle DC. |
Anonymous
|
Have you considered reflux? This sounds exactly like my DS. The main symptom for him was the constant waking. We put our DS on prevacid and it made all the difference in the world. Not just did a happier baby emerge, but he started to sleep too.
All the best of the luck. It is really really hard, so hang in there! |
jsmarkarian
Member Offline
Member Offline
| My daughter was the same way until we started consistently swaddling her. However, I know it does not work for some babies... |
Anonymous
|
Oh, do I feel for you!!! Had a very similar baby. Took concentrated effort (rocking, shushing, swinging, pacifier, bouncy seat, etc!) EVERY TIME to get him to sleep in the first few months. The Swaddle Me swaddle blankets with the velcro SAVED MY LIFE. We did it at night and for naps. We eventually did the Ferber Method at about 5 months when he started getting too strong for the swaddle (3.5 months would probably be too early for that in my opinion). It was hell, but it worked. Or, it kind of worked. He just started falling asleep nursing, instead (as if he was like, "screw falling asleep on my own, i'm gonna go down nursing!). But, he had to go down for naps at daycare w/o nursing, so we had very little trouble getting him to go down nicely when I weaned him at 12 mos. He's now 15 mos, and sleeps like a champ.
PLEASE make sure you're getting some sleep, too. Go to bed an hour early, let your husband bring the baby up. Let your husband take the baby in the morning, sleep an extra hour. I didn't, and sure wish I had! Being sleep deprived just makes it all worse. Best of luck! |