ps, JAC - how do you use dummy to settle, but not for sleep...? do you mean you use the dummy while you are calming bubs before putting down to sleep, then take dummy out? or how?
i wish she would learn to even sleep with me in my bed, it would be nice to take her back to bed with me for a cuddle, but she won't sleep unless she is wrapped tightly and i have to sort of hold her, and even then this morning that didnt work, she wouldn't have a bare of it. Is there a way to introduce/encourage co-sleeping with the baby next to you? I am desperate for some sleep but by the time I have gotten her down for a nap I have missed the boat for me to go back to sleep, as I seem to be suffering from a bit of insomnia.
Emma,
I use the dummy to stop the cry and distract him but once he settles down it generally falls out after which I will use patting to sleep rather than replace the dummy as he has calmed down. If your bub does not let go of dummy I would take it away once baby is calm and see how you go (rather than having her fall asleep with it in her mouth)?? My baby fights sleep too. I have found that if I put him to bed sooner rather than later (both during the day between feeds and at night) he struggles with it less. I think being over tired can make them fight sleep more. I have read that at 3 months (actually even up to 6 months) they should only stay up 1-2 hours between feeds. I used to try to keep my baby up for as long as he was happy to "tire him out" but since putting him back to bed sooner (regardless of whether he looks tired or not) has helped with day sleeps. I think your baby just wakes at night because she is hungry and still having her growth spurt so I would just feed her as soon as she wakes and put her back to bed. The waking at night will pass when she is ready. Don't forget they have small tummies that fill quickly but also empty quickly so need filling often as they are growing.
Ryn - He must be tired after the late feed, even if he appears not to be, so I would just persist in trying to settle him back to sleep as soon as he is fed. I use the "pat-shhh" technique which involves placing baby awake, but calm, in bed then patting them to sleep while saying "shhh" if they are making a noise (crying). I had tremendous struggles getting my baby to sleep before using this method. The key is to continue patting for 5-10 minutes after baby LOOKS like they have fallen asleep before leaving them. My baby will wriggle around quite madly for up to 5 mins while I do this, then eventually shuts his eyes (though I ensure roon is very dark so have to squint to make sure). I also turn my head away so that he is not looking at my face - I find that he gets a bit bored of the monotony of the patting in the darkness and this helps a tired baby decide to "nod off". I don't leave though for about 10 mins after this as I sometimes need to start patting again if he wriggles awake. I never ever let him fall asleep on me or in my bed so that's how I get him to sleep in his cot all night, but it takes a long time and a lot of patience. What does your baby do when he "won't go back to sleep" after the late feed?
Reply With Quote
Bookmarks