Self resettling during day sleeps - anyone had success?

[dusty]

Jodi thanks for that, she hates being wrapped with her hands down so I put her in Sleepy Wings and swaddle her slightly once settled in bed (ie have her lie on the wrap and wrap it lightly around her once she is sleepy. Her hands are amazing right from birth she has wanted access to them and this seems to work best for her as it reduces the startle while she is sleeping.

Manhattan, I just read Pinky's books and I was confused to say the least as it differed from the other books but its great to hear that it worked for you. I sometimes just give up on the settling and hold onto Pinky's advice so its great to hear it worked for you.

[onthefly]

Nope. Didn't work. The day naps sorted themselves out around 15-16 months. Glad I didn't drive myself crazy persisting all that time. They do it when they're good and ready.
She's still really young Dusty. If it's working, then great, but if not, let it go. It's just extra work for you

[FabFiona]

I was the same as the others. I tried to resettle for a while and it did my head it. But then I relaxed and just got him up. It meant he was having 3 sleeps for ages rather than 2.

Around 8 months he would occasionally have longer sleeps and at 10 months 1.5 to 2 hours in the morning is the norm rAther than the exception.

[Visitor7]

Like the others have said, it's important to know if you should just give up and get them up, or persist. With DD1, she needed the extra sleep, which is why I persisted. She didn't wake up happy if she only slept for 30 minutes.

[fionas]

I hear your pain dusty, DD2 was exactly the same which was a complete shock to the system as DD1 always had mammoth day sleeps from a very early age. I couldn't persist with trying to resettle her as there was always too much going on - DD1 to look after as well as trying to relactate so pumping in every spare moment. So, after a few weeks with no luck with the rocking, shushing etc. etc. I finally conceded defeat and just used a dummy. Didn't want to do it but something had to give. That doesn't work every single time but does most times which means everyone is saner.

She's now about three and a half months old and in the last couple of weeks she's learnt to resettle herself so yep, I think they do grow out of it so you might not have too longer to wait before it all happens naturally.

[MummaSue]

Hey Dusty,

we had the same thing and to be honest, it felt like I was constantly trying to get her to stay asleep so I just let her sleep for the 40 minutes. And yeah, I know what you mean when you say that she is tired an hour later but I just went with that. there were times when I felt that I was spending longer trying to get her to sleep than the time that she actually was asleep!! It really did sort itself out and now she has longer sleeps.

"this too shall pass"

Sue x

[Taurean]

Nope. Didn't work. The day naps sorted themselves out around 15-16 months. Glad I didn't drive myself crazy persisting all that time. They do it when they're good and ready.
She's still really young Dusty. If it's working, then great, but if not, let it go. It's just extra work for you

I agree. It's so tough hon and I completely understand (I went through hell with DD's day sleeps until 6 months!) but sometimes you stress yourself out more by trying to help them resettle. I honestly believe they often work these things out on their own.

Our DD started having awesome day sleeps at 6 months and we haven't looked back since. The story was very different for the first 6 months though. I wore DD in a sling A LOT and she had most of her day naps 'on the go' (in the sling, the pram or car). I stressed myself out no end trying to get her to sleep in her cot during the day only to be completely shattered when she woke after just 30 minutes, or she didn't sleep at all!! We tried a hammock as well (we bought a Hushamok Hammock) which worked wonders for about 4 weeks but that was it. We even went to 'sleep school' twice to see if the 'experts' could help with her day sleeps. Both times we were sent home earlier as DD had 'beaten' them, LOL.

I don't know what changed but one afternoon at 6 months she slept for 30 minutes in her cot without much fuss. The next morning she slept for 2.5 hours Besides a couple of random days when she's been sick or teething, she's been consistent. Ironically, her night sleeps were awesome until 6 months and then they went a bit awall around that time. I figure I can't have it all!

Good luck hon. It is very trying at times but it's also amazing how our little bubbas find their groove all on their own eventually.

Oh, before I forget, your DD could possibly be going through a Wonder Week (there is one around 12 weeks) and the next one (around 20 weeks) is really tough so often babies are quite unsettled between the two growth spurts.

Hugs! It does pass and it does get a lot easier!!