moms - need tired baby help

Dancing_Fiend

I'm feeling desperate today...in tears myself. Hayden is doing so well at night, but has such a difficult time with napping.  He'll go down for a nap most times just fine, but wakes up within 40 mins (should be napping twice that). The only thing that soothes him is the paci.

He screams, flails and turns bright red kicking. I swaddle him, hold him tight, shoosh him, pat his back, but he just cries and cries.  I know it's because he's so tired and can't relax.

Once he calms down a bit, the paci is the only thing that will help him ease back into sleep. Once it pops out of his mouth, the pattern repeats.

Help!!  I'm so overwhelmed and desperate. I don't know why he does so well at night, but can't soothe himself in the daytime.

Dancing_Fiend

I should have mentioned that it goes on for 15-25 minutes at a time. ...the crying that is (even when I'm holding & comforting him).

Sandy09579

I can offer a few solutions.
1. Is he napping in a dark room?  Anthony wasn't in his crib for a little while at night, but when he napped during the day I either put him in the bassinet or in his room in his crib and drew the blinds so it was DARK.  

2. This became a problem for us, but if you're desperate, it may work.  The swing almost always guaranteed a good long nap. 

3.  Are you keeping quite when he naps?  Or can he hear you cleaning the house, taking a shower, etc?  All things that are different during the day and may disturb his sleep

gespenst

Along those lines...white noise? 

I never tried to schedule naps, just went w/ the flow.  But when DD was really ornery and seemed to need to sleep but wouldn't go down, sometimes the swing, or even going for a ride in the car, would get her to sleep.

Melany928

That is how my NIGHT goes and he is fine during the day.

somethingblue06

I'd try the swing, the bjorn (he can rest the paci between you & him so its close) and the boppy in your lap. No its not ideal but sometimes being pinned down to a few hours by a sleeping child ain't all that bad...you do what you gotta do.  Jack had a similar meltdown this morning, and he's been asleep on the boppy since 10... I am hoping he doesn't wake til noon.

Lucknow

Ella was overtired yesterday and now again today and we're having the same type of day you are! It sucks because you can see how sleepy she is and she just keeps fighting it. And then she never catches up enough on her sleep to make it easier on herself to fall asleep like she usually does. ...last night was rough as well. She's finally sleeping for about half an hour now and I'm hoping it sticks for awhile so she can catch up and be in a better mood this afternoon:) I know I haven't offered any help here, but just wanted to let you know you're not alone! Good luck!

Dancing_Fiend

Aww, sorry to hear that Ella-bella is having a bad day too. Gramma's here to relieve me for a few hours, thank goodness. Of course now he's happy as a clam and talking up a storm. What does that mean? Sniff

I don't schedule any naps, but put him down when he's tired. We'll see how the next nap goes...getting to be that time. Oh, and I'm quiet as a mouse. Hopefully it's just a phase.

phd_y2k

Have you read anything on baby massage?  Down here, there is a really popular hospital class on it.  I never took it, but when I am winding down with Quinn at night, I do an improvised version which puts her right out.

happygirl277

We had to use the vacuum cleaner...Lucas would be so fussy and cranky, I would try every possible idea that everyone suggested.  We would put him in his swing and run the vacuum.  As soon as it went on he would stop crying and then fall asleep shortly after.  we would leave it on for a good 10-15 minutes and once he was sound asleep we would shut it off....good luck!  Hang in there momma!