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Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Napping woes

At this very moment, it has been 20 minutes since I put E down for a nap and he is still screaming at the top of his lungs.  I am feeling so so guilty for hearing him cry but I am trying to let him fall asleep on his own and break out of the rock to sleep that we unfortunately started doing every now and then.  It is SO hard and I don't know how else to help him sleep. I watched for his cues: the fussiness, rubbing eyes, and put him down during the 'window'...ugh this crying is killing me!

He doesn't do this at night thankfully, but it's the daytime naps that are always so tricky. I've tried the white noise and the blankets, but not really helping. I know the key is to be consistent but I can't stand hearing my baby cry - ughhhhh I feel like a terrible mom!
  

10 comments:

  1. Oh how I understand!!! All I have to say from my experience is not to let it consume you. Give it a few days & if after 4 or 5 it has not helped than making sure he has sleep is what matters most. Addy is a terrible napper & I've come to terms with it. I obsessed so long but she sleeps 11.5 hrs at night so I'm focusing on being grateful for that. Do you use a swaddle? How about letting him fall asleep in the swing? This way he is at least falling asleep without your assistance.

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  2. It's definitely hard to listen to them cry. Do what you feel is right. If you can avoid the rocking to sleep it will probably be better in the long run, but if you feel that it's what he needs, do what is best for you and don't obsess over what everyone else is telling you is "right."

    If you decide to let him cry, try to turn down the monitor, or turn on some music so you don't hear it as much, and remind yourself that he's NOT GOING TO REMEMBER THIS when he gets older! :)

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  3. Sorry I can't be much help with this. Kailyn has been a bad napper since she was born. She does sleep from 8pm to 7am at night so I am just grateful for that. Also I know it is a horrible habit we have, but we rock her to sleep every night. After I stopped nursing her this is just something I enjoy doing with her at night, especially after work when I have barely seen her all day. ♥

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  4. You are not a terrible mom! We struggle with naps too. A friend suggested going in every 10 minutes to pat the baby so that they know that you're there and will care for them, but that you're not going to pick them up every time they cry. We've only recently started to try this, so I can't say if it works or not, but it's worth a try. Hang in there!

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  5. You're not a terrible mom. You're letting him figure out how to self-soothe. And that's going to stand him in good stead sleep-wise (and in life).

    (Though, that said, I imagine that it is very, very hard!)

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  6. We still rock to sleep. Some nights (not often), it's a pain. Most nights, it is wonderful. I love watching his face and having him snuggle with me. I also struggle with not seeing him all day, so the rocking is a good way for us to reconnect.

    Unless my husband decides it's his turn! Ever since I stopped nursing we have been taking turns. We both love it.

    I'm not sure how they put him down for naps at daycare. I bet he goes right to sleep for them. But we rock for naps at home, too. I always think that I need to change it, but I like it so much!

    I'm proud of you, though. Now that W can stand up, getting him to nap on his own is crazy. I sometimes have to almost restrain him in my arms so he will go to sleep. He only wants to stand. Learning how to sleep before the standing phase would have been a great idea!

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  7. Hang in there! I'm sure it's heartbreaking, but be strong!

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  8. My nora is a TERRIBLE sleeper. I mean, she's 8.5 months old and still gets up several times a night and only takes 30 minute naps. I am so tired. I've tried it all. Crying it out did work for about a month, but then she got sick and everything went out the window. Hang in there. In my opinion, things only work for a little bit then you gotta try something new.

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  9. You are not a terrible mom! I have read that if they are fussy / rubbing eyes they are overtired. Try to catch it if/when he starts yawning or just slowing down in general. Every baby is different though! Good luck!!

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  10. Wendy, I highly recommend Jewel's "lullaby" CD. It almost always puts Joshua to sleep. Don't feel like a bad mom. It is really hard sometimes and you are doing great :). Is it possible your little man is overtired? Does he ever try to sleep on his own?

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