My daughter has just recently started to really resist going for a nap. I have always rocked her to sleep and then I put her down once she's asleep. She's almost 4 months and starting a couple of weeks ago she cries and screams before finally falling asleep in my arms. She gets tired after about 1.5 hour of wakefulness. I look for her signs (rubbing eyes, slowing down) and then I rock her in my arms and try to get her to sleep. This used to work but now she starts screaming even when in my arms. I can tell that she's tired because she starts to yawn inbetween her screams. I try to catch her before she shows signs of being tired or at least right away but even her signs come quickly and then it seems as though she's past the point of being tired. I don't know what to do because this now happens at every nap (she's still taking about 4 or 5). She still only naps for 30 min. When will she take longer and fewer naps in the day? Anyone have any advice? I've read all the books too.

 

Thanks

 

  

Julia wrote:

My daughter has just recently started to really resist going for a nap. I have always rocked her to sleep and then I put her down once she's asleep. She's almost 4 months and starting a couple of weeks ago she cries and screams before finally falling asleep in my arms. She gets tired after about 1.5 hour of wakefulness. I look for her signs (rubbing eyes, slowing down) and then I rock her in my arms and try to get her to sleep. This used to work but now she starts screaming even when in my arms. I can tell that she's tired because she starts to yawn inbetween her screams. I try to catch her before she shows signs of being tired or at least right away but even her signs come quickly and then it seems as though she's past the point of being tired. I don't know what to do because this now happens at every nap (she's still taking about 4 or 5). She still only naps for 30 min. When will she take longer and fewer naps in the day? Anyone have any advice? I've read all the books too.

 

Thanks

 

  

Good to know I'm not alone. Same thing with my son, I used to be able to sing him a lullaby or simply rock him. These days at 4 months OMG, he kicks, screams, thrusts himself practically out of my arms all the while rubbing his eyes and yawning in between.

I have some luck with the soother at times, I have also tried topping him up with a lil formula or some water. It's always hit and miss, I have tried just putting him down in his crib/bassinet etc. and just walking away to calm myself down. He sometimes calms down and sometimes continues crying. I will then pick him up again and simply rub one eyebrow while rocking and eventually sleep will take over....its a daunting task everyday but certainly a learning experience to say the least.

As for the length of naps, same here 30 mins if I'm lucky I get an hour. Usually in that time I have mastered the art of speeding through a shower, eating, cleaning, washing bottles, boiling water etc. Everything in 3-5 mins or less...haha

And he still wakes up at night at least twice to eat. I just go with the flow as best I can....when he wakes up we play, read or go for a walk or if I'm too zonked I turn on Treehouse for background noise.....sad but hey, some days I'm bone tired!!!

Oh dear...mine is only 2.5 months old and has started doing exactly what you are describing.  All of my old tricks which seemed to work in a few minutes are useless to soothe her.  Meanwhile, she has learned this new high pitched scream which kicks in almost immediately.  Anyone been through this and able to say how old your child was when it ended???  The other thing with my girl is that she is waking up early from these naps and then will cry until she gets fed - meaning that she is actually feeding more often and less predictably than for the first two months of her life :/

The white noise is a good idea. It worked for me, and kinda still does for my 21 month old (when she goes to sleep, I use it to drown out the house noises so we don't wake her!)