Need tips for "training" a baby to develop normal sleep patterns?

Question

My 4 1/2mo. has NO sleep pattern. He fights sleep "every" time I put him down.(which I only do when he's tired). He is up 2x at night still to eat, and up early am. He only catnaps all day off and on. It is extremely difficult as I have other children. Seems I spend all my time trying to get this baby to sleep, yet he doesn't sleep enough. How do people get their babies into a routine?

btw: my other children were not difficult like this! They were "easy going" babies

He's been getting cereal in his bottle for 2mos. (per dr.s orders)

Answer 1

Start early. Make sure he knows night time is for sleeping, and sleeping through the night is unrealistic. We as adults don't sleep through the night. Pick a time in the morning for a nap and time in the afternonn, and be consistent and patient, it will take a week or longer. but once he knows this is time to sleep, then he will not fuss as much. Set a routine like singing to him, reading to him,have the curtains or blinds shut, make sure it is dark in the room, make sure he sleeps in the crib every time, rock him, and BE CONSISTENT EVERYDAY. Keep the routine up, don't change it.

I had a hard time too, and I regret not starting earlier with a consistent routine everyday. I let my baby sleep on me, in the beginning while I breastfed her, and while it is real nice and good in some ways, it doesn't benefit my daughter and I shouldof been more consient with a routine. I have a bed time routine for her and nap is not consistent. If she doesn't nap during the day, she goes to bed early.

Some babies are harder to put to sleep then others. If you are breastfeeding, and if you drink anything with caffiene, take the caffiene out right away, it can be the caffiene.

Give lots of comfort for him, there is no such thing as spoiling a baby. 'the first years are so important for the rest of their lives.

What did you do for your other children?

Good luck!

Answer 2

That is a great question! My daughter did not sleep through the night until she was 6 months old, yes it was the longest 6 months of my life! Honestly, I tried the baby schedule that everybody says works, but you really can't train an infant. The baby knows what he needs. If he is waking at night to eat, then he is probably going through a growing phase. He is probably fighting sleep, because he has so much fun with mommy when he is awake. He wants to play all the time, this is when he learns everything, and he loves it. I personally don't believe that you can train a baby to sleep on a schedule, but if you find a way, good for you. I wish that I could have! Whatever happens, good luck! I truly hope that you can get the sleep that I know you deserve at this point. I also hope that you find a schedule that works. If you do, tell me, that is very valuable info!!

Oh, one more thing. I started putting my daughter to sleep in her swing. She started sleeping an extra hour or two when I did this. I think the movement helped her stay asleep. Good luck!

Answer 3

At 41/2 mos. old I would think it is normal to get up 2xs a night. It may be that he has a higher metabolism than the other children and doesn't require as much sleep.
You say he only catnaps, maybe his milk is not satisfying him. Is he breastfed or formula? Breastmilk is not as heavy as formula, but it is better for them. You may need to add some cereal to his diet, kinda of watery not thick., give it to him just before giving him the breast/bottle. I would try this the 1st time around mid-morning or just before nap time, you will know if it works, he will sleep a little longer. If this helps you can then determine how to get him on a better schedule.

Answer 4

I have a 9month old now and she has been on a pretty good time. Just let him play until he falls asleep on the floor. Instead of trying to get him to bed try keeping him awake. After a few days he will want to sleep. So The first day get up with him and keep him awake. Then when he is getting fussy lay him down give him a bottle or breastfeed him he should fall asleep cause you have kept him up no CAT NAPS.

Then when he gets up do it again. Keep him awake make sure you feed him until he is stuffed at night. when he gets up in the middle of the night keep it dark dark don't move him unless it to the boob or make him a bottle you don't want him to think if he wakes up in the middle of the night mommy is coming to get him out and it play time while i eat. He will start sleeping longer through the night. Do this for like 3 days and he should make his own schedule but it will work better with yours. Make sure no cat naps you want him tired for a longer nap Best of Luck

Answer 5

My baby had a distinct pattern by 24 weeks [because that's when I could feel everyday movement and tell when she was up, which was almost always at night. When she was born she was only up to feed every 3-4 hours no matter the time of day and at 1-2 weeks she was up during the day and never stayed up after feeding at night..

Answer 6

I got a lot of help from a book called "Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child." It was written by a doctor whose name I cannot remember at this moment. I think it was Weissenbluth or something like that. The book will tell you everything you need to know about developing healthy sleep habits.

Answer 7

Consistancy. I put my son down an hour after breakfast and after lunch for his naps. At night give him his bath and get him in his PJs and put him in his crib around 8-9pm. My mom used to wake us up just before she went to bed and gave us a bottle so we slept longer.

Answer 8

is he active enough during the day??? you may have to fight his naps- by keeping him awake during the cat naps.

Do you have a stable routine ur self??? Is his sleeping environment quite and dark. Do you allow him to nap anywhere,- excluding the car... cant help that one. Mine always slept in the car...

Good luck

Answer 9

Easy Feed him well