Sleep questions

StephNJohn2008

Hi ladies... 2 questions for you.

1- I nurse my son to sleep. At night he falls asleep nursing and during the day when he fights naps if I nurse him (even if I know he doesn't need to eat) he'll go down. Am I creating a monster here? It seems to be the only thing that works!

2- He has been having a few very sleepy days. He seems healthy, eating/producing diapers, but he's sleeping a lot for him. He's been asleep since 3! He woke up to eat around 5, but is back out. Would you wake him? I don't know if he's still too young and I should just let him sleep if he needs it... help.

 

atwood345

1. I think you're still ok for now with nursing him to sleep, but I would definitely be aware of starting a habit. He's still young. Does he take a pacifier?

2.Sleepy waves are common, sometimes it's b/c of a growth spurt. I remember once my son took a 5 hour nap when he was around 3 months old. I'd let him sleep as much as he wants, unless he's underweight or other circumstances. 

Pixiestx

1. I did that with Teagan and the nursing to sleep lasted a year. I rocked her to sleep after that until she stopped falling asleep when I did it on her own.  I did not see it as a problem although others did tell me it wasn't a good idea.  I'm on the same track with Cora. 

2. At his age I would chalk it up to a growth spurt and would not wake him.

StephNJohn2008

atwood345:

1. I think you're still ok for now with nursing him to sleep, but I would definitely be aware of starting a habit. He's still young. Does he take a pacifier?

2.Sleepy waves are common, sometimes it's b/c of a growth spurt. I remember once my son took a 5 hour nap when he was around 3 months old. I'd let him sleep as much as he wants, unless he's underweight or other circumstances. 

Oh yes, he loves the paci! Sometimes that will work, he definitely always needs the paci or to nurse, but most of the time he'll lay there with the paci for awhile doing this long stare off into space, so I'll nurse him (knowing he's not able to sleep) and he's out in a couple minutes. 

molldoll71

I nursed both mine to sleep the first year.  No issues.  I still nurse Sammie if I am home but she goes down without it as well.  Don't worry about that.

 

The sleepyness sounds like a growth spurt. 

MrsPhunk

1)  I nursed DD to sleep (literally would not put her into her crib unless she had been out cold in my arms for a long time) for a while, and after her 4-month sleep regression, we were in sleep hell.  Eventually we did Ferber which sucked a lot, but not for very long, and now DD's a fantastic sleeper.  So I think, in hindsight, I did create a monster and I'm really trying hard with DS not to do the same.  Of course, a good 80% of nap/bed time is preceded by nursing to sleep, but in the other 20% I employ our Sound Spa from Homedics.  DS is a sucker for the heartbeat sound--calms him every time.

2)  Also sounds like a growth spurt to me.  He's still young enough to just say let him sleep.  DD had regular growth spurt days (every 3 weeks like clockwork, it was crazy) when she was just mushy, tired, and took longer naps.  I haven't yet seen that from DS but he's still growing so I guess it just doesn't tucker him out like it did his sister.  Go figure

HarrietNJMommy

1 - I nursed all 3 kids for naps and bed. Once they STTN, it wasn't an issue. They all weaned from nursing no problem. EVERYTHING is a bad habit - swaddling, nursing to sleep, pacifiers, etc. Every habit can be broken. Some just take longer than others.

2 - I would just let him sleep unless your ped has told you not to. 

barcelonagirl

Also you're still in the 4th trimester.  It's survival mode.  Do what you need to to get through!!!!!