Having trouble with naptime...?

Question

I posted this and it turned into a question about honey because of some one's answer.

My son is seven months old and probably for the past three months, I haven't been able to get him ajusted to a new schedule during the day--and have him stick to it. It is driving me crazy. He's so nice and smiley in the morning, he even sleeps from 8:30 at night right until about 7:00 in the morning. I feed lunch him at about 11:30 and then put him down for a nap at 12:00 or 12:30. With in a matter of a half hour he will wake up again. He'll be cranky--the rest of the day. I know all he needs is sleep but I just have no clue what to do? I feel like the rest of the day is blown because I'm just trying to make him nap--the whole day long! Today I tried to just let him cry it out--he cried forever! I try to comfort him and hold him before he goes to sleep--the minute I put him down he's awake again. I just don't know what to do...I feel I've tried everything! Any suggestions?

Before you comment on the honey--I already know--honey is bad. I'm not giving my son honey. That's not what the question's about.

I don't know if this makes a difference but his routine seemed to be fine like I said until we moved to Florida. A lot of things changed when we moved here. He has his dad here--who wasn't around for the first four months. Could that be why he doesn't sleep? I'm really trying to think of reasons---if you have any questions to ask that relate to the reason my child won't sleep--ask! I want this problem to be solved so both of us won't be so cranky!

I've already tried a swing, too! He's learned how to unbuckle it!

Answer 1

Your question is interesting because your son sounds like he's an excellent night-sleeper but is having trouble with the naps. The 8:30 pm to 7am is great. At 7 months, he should definitely be taking a morning nap which would fall at around 9:00 for your son. If he takes a good morning nap (1-1.5 hours) he should go down for an afternoon nap at about 1:00 that lasts for around 2 hours.

Ok so the trick is how to get him to go to sleep. Tomorrow morning at 9:00, bring him into his room, turn off the lights, do your regular "sleepy time" routine, put him in his crib, and leave. If/when he cries, you can go in at progressively longer intervals (5 minutes, then 10 minutes, etc) and comfort him without picking him up (pat his back, tell him it's ok) and then leave. It'll probably piss him off more but he will eventually go to sleep. Do the same for his afternoon nap and after a few days he will learn to go to sleep at these times on his own. The key is to be ultra-consistent. It has to be the same every day.

Trust me on this- it worked like a charm for my little boy when he was the exact same age. I felt the same way as you- like I was spending the whole day trying to get him to go to sleep.

I got my information from a book called "Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child" by Dr. Weissbluth. The last thing you have time for right now is to read a book but it did give some great pointers and help me to understand the natural sleep patterns of babies. The better I understood it, the better I was at making daily decisions on when to put my baby down for a nap.

Sorry to be going on and on. This question hit home for me because I struggled with the same thing. I wish you lots of luck and I hope that both you and your baby are able to get some much-needed rest. Good luck!

Answer 2

Is he teething? My nine month old has/had some issues when new teeth are cutting. Also, are you wearing him out during the time that he's up? Not sure if he's crawling yet or not. Are you putting him to sleep in his crib every time or is it in different places? It should probably be the same place every time. Maybe his formula isn't agreeing with him? There are a ton of things. Babycenter.com is a great place to post/search for questions as most people there have young children and might have been through the same thing you are describing. I'm only one person giving my persepectives, but there are a lot more resources there. Good luck!

Answer 3

As a father who's daughter had colic for almost a year (yes, my hair went partially grey!) the only thing I can suggest is let them sleep longer. Cover the windows so its darker during nap time. Play some quiet classical music while they sleep. Delay the nap untill 1 p.m. or so.
My daughter is seven now, but I STILL have nightmares about her screaming (and yes I mean SREAMING, not crying). Sometimes she would start around 10 a.m. and would not stop for the rest of the day and late into the night. (except to eat of course) It was so bad my wife quit her job because no child care facility would take her, not even her parents. I truely hope, with all my heart that your son is not moving into a colic zone. It usually starts around 6 months.
Unfortunately, nothing works for a child who truely has colic. My wife and I resorted to just puting her in her crib and let her cry it out. Sometimes it would take hours, but there was nothing else to be done. Its a hard thing to do, but remember, YOUR sleep and health is important too. You cannot properly take care of a child if you are sleep deprived.
Bite the bullet and let him cry it out.

Answer 4

Just before nap time, play an interactive game that will make him tired, like have him follow you around for a while until he is tired, also, either try his nap immediately after lunch, or about an hour later. He may be a. to tired to sleep.. or b. not tired enough to sleep.
As far as his father coming into his life, I doubt it is exactly that... meaning he does not yet realize the whole situation. He may need a while to adjust to new surroundings... You may also want to try laying down with him, until you know he is asleep, and either getting up or enjoying a nap yourself. Good Luck...

Answer 5

I feel your pain. My kids are bigger now, but you need him to nap as much as he needs it. Try pulling shades down, make it dark & cozy. Make up an afternoon routien for nap, just like bed time.
Also, do not let him fall asleep on you before he drifts off put him down before he actually falls asleep.
It helps to gear him up in a big way! You gotta keep this up day after day! I learned that it generaly took 3 days for my kids to settel into any changes in routeins but you have to stick with it!! Babies don't like afternoon naps because they dont want to miss stuff. SO, you gotta psych him out & make him think that he isnt going to miss a thing. Be strong and follow thru. If he stays in his bed for an hour before falling asleep thats ok too.

Honey - shmoney - in 20 years they could come out & tell us that they should have it 3 times a day. People always want to tell new mommies what to do, what not to do - blah blah blah. Do what is right for you & your baby. You two will figure it out & be just fine!

Answer 6

I have found the best way that I got my girls to nap when they were little was to absolutely wear them out. I would play, play and play with them for hours until they were exhausted, then they would nap like angels....starting a new routine takes time to be effective, but keep at it and it will work in no time. Hope this helps!! Good luck!!

Answer 7

waiting on your 3 month previous to regulate to and experience a 2 year previous's schedule is unrealistic at this element. toddlers at this age many times take greater advantageous than one nap, many times at minimum a morning and afternoon nap, and actually leaving them sleep for 4-5 hours is probable not a solid thought, exceedingly once you're attempting to set a first rate bedtime hour.

Answer 8

Not to you Lindsey.

Why would someone tell a mom to give their baby tea with honey? Ask any pediatrician. That is dangerous.

Answer 9

when the lovely child goes to sleep talk to him assure him that you are with him and that he is safe sing quietly to him.more importantly
be calm and peaceful around him.whether his father decides to stick around or not is something you can not control plz if you have to write again plz send his first name.god answers prayer

Answer 10

give him some warm tea with honey in it it always works and wile he's asleep you can sleep to good luck to you I hope it works for you...