Argh bad sleep habits for my 4mth old - help!!!!!

[QueenMab]

Oh Anna honey I know how you feel!! Luckily for me however, Punky has finally started to get some sleep during the day... well usually, had a bit of a crap evening here tonight as I had her up while I made dinner - mistake!!

What I found really started to make a difference with Punky was (thanks to Barb for this advice) to put her to bed AS SOON AS SHE EVEN THOUGHT ABOUT BEING TIRED, if I missed that teeny window then I had no chance of getting her down. When I say 'put to bed' mind you, it was more 'wrap, rock, jiggle, whatever it takes' but the last few days to a week I've been able to put her down drowsy & leave her & she goes to sleep or even if she's grumpy pat her when she is in her cot & she'll go to sleep, mega break through believe me, I thought I'd be rocking her to sleep when she was 21!!

The other thing too I find is is she doesn't seem like she is going to go to sleep but she's well due I'll offer her some more to eat, 9 times out of 10 she is just a bit too hungry to go to sleep.

I know you've got much more Mummy experience than me sweets but I hope this helps a little bit, but if not, know that I have totally been there & DO NOT feel bad about being tired & frustrated, you are ony human! *hugs*

[~Trish~]

Oh Anna, you poor thing . You are doing it really tough at the moment. I hope you managed to get him off to sleep eventually. He really does sound over-tired, have you thought about going to a sleep school? Maybe they could have some strategies to help with his naps.

I just wanted to say that if you tried a hammock (not a swing) you can use them for much longer. The Amby hammocks are designed to withstand up to 40kg (or something like that). My DS had his day naps in it until he was nearly two! A lot of people have no problems transitioning their bubs back to the cot earlier though (my sister transitioned her DS at 6 months with no problems whatsoever). It is just a suggestion!

I hope you have a better day today

[shellbell3]

Anna, like someone else said please don't worry bout forming 'bad habits' sounds like at the moment you just need to do whatever you need to do to get both of you some rest and sleep. Things don't always become bad habits he just might settle easier down the track but for now just do what you need to do that works.

[Freya]

So yesterday was errand day & he slept in the car/pram no worries (grrrrrr) but once home would not go down. At about 8pm I started feeding him up and by 9:30 he had had 2 240ml bottles. Rocked him to sleep for 1/2hr while waching Medium and he stayed asleep when I put him in the cot, yippee.

Thanks for the help, Im feeling a little more optimistic and will be taking him to sleep school soon.