My 7month old has tantrums before naps?

Question

My daughter completely fights taking her naps and has a temper tantrum. I have extended her awake time, but if she stays up too long she is overtired and then has a meltdown. I have tried singing to her, darkening the room, rocking her, letting her cry(which doesn't last long bc I feel bad since she gets so worked up)...you name it. I know she is tired, so she needs her sleep, but I don't know what else to do?

To al thlose that replied...I just wanted to let you know that after our routine, I put her in her crib and let her cry...after a half hour I picked her up to comfort her and let her know I was there, but she kept crying, so I put her back down, said nighty-night, caressed her hair and walked out...and finally after a total of 50 minutes of crying she fell asleep! AMEN! I just needed the strenght to do it! Thanks ladies!!!!!!!!!!

Answer 1

My son has his fits also. I just tell him time to take a nap and I lay down with him until he falls asleep.

Answer 2

If you have tried some of the suggestions already listed without results, you may have to toughen up. Yes, she IS tired. Babies need much more sleep than adults. Of course she will have a meltdown from being overtired--and soon--so will you!

What you must do if nothing else works (the humming of the dryer, music playing, a white noise machine--whatever--then she is getting the better of you. As several answers have indicated, you will have to be the parent here which means not giving in. You did not say how long you allow her to cry--only that it is "not long." One of the most important things about parenting is the ABC lesson which means simply "All Babies Cry." And they all need to cry sometimes. It sounds as though you pick her up and comfort her which is exactly what she wants. Can you imagine how well she will have you trained by the time she is two? I would let her cry for at least 15 minutes. If you go into the room, do NOT pick her up or remove her from the crib, just lay her back down (she may be standing and screaming full throttle by this time) and tell her night-night or whatever you say to her. This may take a good hour to accomplish and you will be worn out, but it will be much easier the next time and the time after that and the time after that and--you get the idea.

Answer 3

I have 3 children, 10...3..and 2. I learned the hard way with my first and swore to not make the same mistake. because of this, I learned how to not play into their hands. Your daughter is doing this because it works for her. I rocked and cuddled my first to sleep, and with my other two I put them in bed (even with they were small) and if they would like to cry then they can. I KNOW it's difficult but it's for the best. I remember the first few weeks I would have to go outside for 5 minutes or so, just so I couldn't hear the crying....its difficult. I invested in a crib tent at burlington coat factory so I wouldn't have to worry about them climbing out during a tantrum. I turn on the video monitor so I can see them settle down. In all honestly, I have watched and learned that if they realize the little game is over, they will quickly enjoy going to sleep on their own.
They only cry for a little while, and I will go check on them if they continue for 20 minutes or so. But just a quick "it's time for your nap" and a kiss on the forehead then out the door I go without looking back.

Answer 4

If you are sure she isnt hungry and doesnt need a diaper change...its possible that she is actually overtired. My daughter needed 3 naps a day when she was 7 months. One in the morning, one in the afternoon, and one in the evening.
But every baby is different.
It could be that she now knows you will get her up if she screams a certain way...so she is playing you. If its nap time, you know she needs a nap, and you have taken care of everything she could possibly need, you will need to show restraint and let her cry. Every few minutes go in and comfort her, but dont pick her up. Say the same things...like mommy loves you, nappy time...or time for sleeping, night night.
Start a routine and stick with it until she is past this stage...thats all it is and it will pass.

Good luck.

Answer 5

It is completely insane to think that a 7 month old baby is playing you as the others has said!! A 7 month baby is having seperation anxiety. When you are out of sight your baby believes that you will be gone forever. A baby doesn't manipulate you like these other moms seem to think! All baby's know is that they are unhappy or afraid and you are not there. They do not feel safe without you.

Try this instead. Lay down with her. Don't play just be quiet. I used to act like I fell asleep first. Just being quiet and being there will help relax her so she should relax and fall asleep beside you. It also gives you a chance to rest too. My daughter fell aleep within 15 to 20 minutes. Then I could get things done.

Answer 6

I agree with Flavious... she's got your number and is playing on your emotions. My son was ADHD and we had meltdowns all the time and not your typical tantrum stuff either... I was his trigger. I allowed it to happen for years thinking I was doing the right thing by laying with him, coddling him, singing, stories, you name it I tried it... all except setting rules and boundries and sticking to them. It is hard to let your child cry... Have you ever watched Super Nanny? It's a British show and it is great. The "Nanny" on the program uses techniques I was taught later by the people at my son's treatment center. Talk to your pediatrician to make sure that there are no problems with letting her cry it out. They may have other ideas as well. A bath may not work as mine always got riled up after a bath. Driving in the car works but what with fuel costs... how about a walk in the stroller? You get excersise and the baby sleeps. If she's not tired enough, she won't sleep. Good luck.

Answer 7

She is playing you like a cheap fiddle.

I had the same problem with my daughter. I finally got sick of it & decided that when I put her down for her nap, I'd go walk to the mailbox & back. And I kept on until she finally cried herself out & slept. If you live in a house you can do this-if you are in a condo, duplex or apartments it may not be an option.

Then there's always giving the kid a dose of tylenol. Makes them so sleepy they can't help falling alseep. (I felt guilty as hell about it for all of about 10 minutes...then she fell asleep.)

Mine is three years old & I have not had nap issues with her since she was about a year old.

Good luck!

Answer 8

after you have made sure all of her needs are met lay her down read her a book give her a night lite if it is dark and maybe some soft music and then leave i know its gut wrenching but it really is the best thing you can do. and yes a very small baby will think that you have left her forever but she will learn when you keep comming back after the nap that you are not gone forever its better to deal with the anxiety now than at the preschool age. the very worst thing you can do is put her in bed with you or pick her up because babies are smarter than we give them credit for and if you pick her up she will think hey if i cry long enough and hard enough my mom will pick me up and i honestly dont believe you can really spoil tiny babies but do you really want her when shes 2 or 3 thinking if i throw a big enough fit my mom will give into me.

Answer 9

All three of my kids tried that at one point or the other.
You mentioned the cause of her tantrums yourself. She cries and you get her, so she learned that if she makes enough of a fuss, Mommy will come get me.
Keep her on a schedule as best as you can. Make a naptime ritual (such as sitting down to read a book, singing, darkening the room, etc) and stick to it. Put her in her crib, tell her you love her and that you will get her after her nap. Make sure she is safe and then leave her to cry. I know it is hard to sit and listen to them cry, but if she is safe, it is OK to let her learn to soothe herself. It might take a while, but she will learn that crying at naptime doesn't work anymore, and she will stop.
Remember, you are the adult and are in charge. Besides it is important that you get some time to yourself to recharge. Face it no matter how much we love them, they do wear us out.

Answer 10

I agree with Corina N. 7-month old babies do not "have your number." I recommend the books written by Dr. Sears and Martha Sears, R.N. Their books offer several approaches that seem more in line with your parenting philosophy for raising children (everything from breastfeeding to naps to discipline.) I believe that bedtimes/naps should be positive and relaxing, not a war. Helping children to sleep and creating a quiet environment is just another job associated with being a parent... and it can also be an enjoyable job. I loved resting with my son and daughter at naptimes. I even used naptime as a chance to rest myself and recharge for the evenings--always a busy time with dinner, bath, homework, and bedtime.

Answer 11

I had the same problem with my daughter. I found that letting her cry it out worked the best. If she knows that all she has to do is cry for ten minutes to get picked up, she would cry for ten minutes. I let her cry her self to sleep, gradually the crying time decreased . Now we are about down to one to two minutes. Hope it helps