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

[Freya]

So my 4mth old has always been a dodgy sleeper during the day. He cat naps mostly and it is really starting to get ridiculous. From what I can remember with my first bub he had solid sleep habits from day dot - sleeping through for 12hrs from 3mths old and having 2 or 3 big naps a day.

The 4mth old sleeps from 10:30pm-ish to 7-8am-ish but during the day he is lucky to have 10min, 20min, 1/2hr here and there and NEVER in his cot. He will only settle down and sleep in my arms. By the time dinner rolls around he is over tired and so narky it takes til 10:30pm to settle him enough to fall asleep in my arms.

Anyone got any hints to help him nap better and longer during the day in his cot, and to get him to go to sleep earlier of a night by say 9pm? Is he still too young for a sleep routine during the day?

Thanks, Im at my wits end.

[~Trish~]

Day sleeps can be so frustrating can't they! My first DS was a TERRIBLE day sleeper, he too would only sleep in my arms because he loved being snugged up and moving. We ended up buying him an Amby baby hammock and it was miraculous! He would sleep happily in it for a couple of hours at a time. Sometimes I would have to go in and bounce him, but he would then go back to sleep which was great.

I really hope you find something that works soon!

[shellbell3]

Ash was catnapper, i remember spending an hour or more trying to settl her just to get 30-40mins from her.
I can't help much on how to settle in cot cause we would either use the bouncer or pram to get her to sleep.
Maybe as Trish said try Hammock? I have heard good things bout using one, some places do hire them out.
I'd say once he sorts out day sleeps better he'll prolly settle alot better at night.

[~Belinda~]

Hey Anna, Madeleine is the same. Half hour here and there but she sleeps through the night. I think I would rather her sleep through the night actually so I can at least be rested and feel good in the morning. I'll wait for some advice too because your post is exactly Madeleine!

[Chocaholic]

I found one of the musical swings worked wonders for sending Cooper off to sleep. Well, as long as you didn't play the music. The one we had was well cushioned and could be reclined so he was in a comfortable sleeping position. It was well balanced so he couldn't get tipped over.

Only drawback was Cooper got too big for it at about 8 months old.

[~Belinda~]

That sounds good Courtney, Madeleine loves her bouncer but won't sleep for hours in it. That swing sounds pretty terrific though.