Naps for a 6 month old (cry-it-out question)...?

Question

Let me start off by saying that I am not a subscriber (normally) to the cry-it-out method. HOWEVER, I am desperate right now. My 6 month old will not sleep during the day today. She is teething and I've tried to keep her comfortable (oragel, tylenol, teething rings, all when needed, but not exceeding the recommendations on the packaging), but I can not get her to take a nap. She has always been a horrible sleeper; her naps are usually no longer than half an hour to 45 minutes. But she does usually take a nap every 2 hours. Today she woke up at about 8 and it is now 1:30 and she has yet to take a nap. I did get her to sleep at around 11, but my dog barked and woke her up.

Finally, my question -

For those of you who use or used the cry-it-out method, did you use it for naps as well, or just at night?

Just to let everyone know - I was letting her cry in her crib, which is in the room next to the office, while I was typing the question and before I was finished, she was asleep! She cried for less than 15 minutes!

I would still like to hear everyone's opinion, as I am sure this will happen again.

I understand that at 6 months a nap every 2 hours seems excessive, but she still gives the indications that she is tired about that often. She will rub her eyes, yawn, and get cranky and it is usually every 2 hours that she does this.

Answer 1

I use the Cry it out Method at both naps and night time. After using it for 9 months with my daughter, now 15 months, the crying time is very short. I hope you don't mind me making a few suggestions. She may not need as much sleep. My daughter at 6 months would take a nap in the morning and then another in the after noon. In fact, we are in a 2 a day nap schedule. She will sleep anywhere from 10 a.m. to 11 and then again in the afternoon. Not every 2 hours thought. Have you tried white noise in her room such as a fan so noises don't wake her up. Good luck.

Answer 2

I think you need to look at her sleeping patterns as a whole. At 6 months, napping every 2 hours is very excessive. At 6 months my son was waking at 8, napping at 11 and again at 3 and bed at 7.

She needs a routine to know what to expect and whats coming next.

I as a rule don't let him cry it out but if there is a time I know I have met his needs all other ways and I can SEE he is tired then I leave him for a bit, making sure he's getting of to sleep in the process!

IGNORE the fool who suggested she might have downs, thats a ridiculous suggestion, it would be diagnosed well before 6 months of age!

Answer 3

I put my 22 month old down for a nap (once a day) and I let her cry for 15 minutes (less when she was younger) she only cries for a little bit and then she goes to sleep and sleeps for about 2 hours give or take (depends on if her sisters wake her up or not). I have used this for all my children when I know that they need a nap. Good Luck.

Answer 4

Try taking her for a walk.
Try wearing her in a sling.
Try giving her a relaxing bath.
If you are desperate, take her for a ride in the car.....maybe the motion will help her go to sleep.

Get some Hyland's Teething Tablets. They are better than Orajel or Tylenol.

Give her a stalk of celery to teethe on. Or put a metal spoon in the freezer and giver her that later. Or put an ice cube into a Baby Safe Feeder or tie it up in a baby sock for her to chew on. Wet a washcloth and freeze it for later. All of those things are better than any "teething toy" on the market.

Please don't leave her to cry. She's only 6 mos old. A child this age who is crying is doing so because she NEEDS something.

Answer 5

i do let my 7 month old cry it ou but when i started i let her cry 5 mins comfroted her while still in her crib but did not pick her up left then let her cry for 10 then for 15 until she was asleep it usually takes 2-3 days but it is so much better now if shes not in her crib at a certain time shell go crazy it's the only place shell sleep and as soon as you lay her down she turns her haed and shes out like a light .but i say its the best it makes it easier also for you set up a routine.

Answer 6

I use the cry it out method only for naps actually. It seems to work well for my. Although I would try to keep her up three hours between naps. This way she is more tired when you lay her down but not to tired that she wont go to sleep.

Answer 7

you sound just like me! My child sounds just yours. She wakes around 7.30 and i am lucky if she will sleep much before 3pm! All the time she is crawling around, moaning and groaning, not knowing what to do with herself until one day i had had enough. So i just put her in her crib and she screamed and screamed for 10 mins and then was fast asleep for at least an hour and a half. I still go through the screaming now, but its worth it cause when she wakes up, she's my lovely smiley boo-boo again! Funnily enough, she doesn't mind going to bed at night, i put her inher crib while shes still awake and doesn't make a fuss, within 20 mins shes asleep. Children are strange creatures, just let them know who's boss! Good luck.

Answer 8

All little ones need about 3 hours naps a day. She cou;d just be over tired. Have you read Gina Fords book? Take a look. People often say its too strict but dont forgat you can take it all with as much or as little salt as you like.

Answer 9

Is she feverish? If definite, then i might suspect ear soreness, because of the fact ears experience greater appropriate once you're sitting up somewhat, yet harm lots once you recline and the stress will strengthen. If she's no longer feverish, it must be the oatmeal. some toddlers get somewhat bloated on oatmeal, and that they are in a position to't pass the gasoline. attempt conserving her abdomen down on your thigh and rub her decrease back. That place can supply her tummy stress and wiggling/kicking room so she would be in a position to deflate. If she's new to solids, i might even ascertain that she's getting sufficient to drink. specifically cases including solids can bring about some constipation, which is often uncomfortable. in many cases tooth do no longer harm while they are for the period of the gums, yet she has a great style of tooth to circulate, and she or he ought to rather nonetheless have mouth soreness. you have good mommy radar. in case you experience that something is faulty, take her to the pediatrician for a examine-up. good success to you!

Answer 10

I know what you are going through, both of our babies took very short naps, but I refused to cry it out. My Mom would help me, so I could catch up with housework and yes a nap for mama here!