Why won't my baby take naps?

Published on February 18, 2006 By Jythier In Parenting

My baby hates to go down for a nap. The only way he'll do it is if we feed him and he gets sleepy. But, he only gets sleepy twice a day. He's 3 1/2 months old! He should be taking naps every hour and a half! He gets really fussy at night, but he doesn't want to go to bed then either. Then, when he wakes up, it's like, 4:30 am and he is up for the day. Needless to say, I am not, and neither is my wife. I wish he would sleep later, but I can't figure out how to get him back to sleep. Anybody have any ideas?

Comments

Janders

on Feb 18, 2006

What is your routine when its time for sleep? Babies do well with consistency, so that they know "okay we are doing this so its slepp time". For example we put on the same cd of soft classical music before nap and every bedtime. We do quiet thing to undwind. Read a book, rock in the chair with lights out and nurse.

3 1/2 months is a big growth spurt time also. He may be learning a new skill. With his new awareness of the world, he may not want to miss anything.

Some things I have found to help get my baby to sleep are what I metioned above and physically laying down with her, then moving her to her crib when she is asleep.
I also really reccomend a good baby carrier like a wrap or a mei tai, many times when my daighter is fussy and wont sleep, if I put her in a wrap BAM she falls asleep.
In the am sometimes I just bring her back to bed with us is she wakes up to early, she may be active for a few minutes but we remain quiet and she evently drifts back to sleep.

Hope to help!

Jythier

on Feb 18, 2006

I've found that trying to get him to drift back to sleep is futile. He just slowly gets louder and louder with his crying. He wants to be out and about and not missing anything. The ironic part of it was I had to get him to take a nap to post this article.

He slept for about 2 1/2 hours. He's a good baby, he just wants to have his head up all the time.

Might try the wrap thing. The car seat puts him to sleep, and his stroller might too, not sure. But, we need to work on the routine thing. He doesn't seem to understand that that routine means we want him to nap.

Furry Canary

on Feb 18, 2006

'But, we need to work on the routine thing. He doesn't seem to understand that that routine means we want him to nap.'
This is definitely important. Every evening we undertake the same routine - bath, dressed for bed, story, feed, bed. Our little one has learned to anticipate the next step in the routine, and often now goes off to bed wearing a big expectant smile! Stick at it.

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