Another sleeping question - Infant Care (up to 18 months old) Message Board

siren1024 · 09-29-2005, 03:57 PM

DD is 6 months and she sleeps great at night. We rock her, put her down, she puts herself to sleep and sleeps 10-12 hours. During the day for the last week or so, she's been fighting sleep BAD. But she's cranky, so I know she's sleepy. But when I try to rock her she squirms constantly, spits out her passy and fusses, keeps making noise to keep herself awake, or flailing her arms around. I tried just laying her down, and a couple times she's gone to sleep on her own. A few times she's cried, and a few times she's just layed there quiet but keeping herself awake making little noises for an hour or more.

We had to do cold turkey CIO with Cal cause we tried the Ferber method and it didn't work, it just prolonged the misery. We didn't start til about 7 months. But Cal would have never in a million years put himself to sleep, OR layed their quietly if he didn't go to sleep.

So what do I do? I feel awful with her laying back there awake all by herself and not going to sleep, but she's not happy with anything I do or playing in her saucer or on the floor or anything.

I WISH she would cry. I know that sounds horrible, but I think she'd quickly cry herself out and go to sleep instead of laying in her room for hours awake by herself.

Anyone ever had a sleep problem like this? LOL. Or is this the curse of the "too happy baby?"

BabyLuv · 09-29-2005, 08:20 PM

There is nothing wrong with putting baby in the crib awake, and leaving their side. As a matter of opinion, doing that actually teaches them to fall asleep alone without you being present beside them or in the same room. It helps them develope a sense of routine, so they know they are supposed to go to sleep once placed in the crib.

Babies aren't always so docile, so you may have to adjust the comforting part when necessary. But, you're starting a good habit for baby.

Kiera1595 · 09-30-2005, 05:02 AM

DD is almost 7 months..and does the exact same thing lately. I always rocked her until she was almost out and then would lay her down. The past 2-3 weeks she's been totally sqirmy, so like you I started putting her in her bed. Most times she will fall asleep on her own. When she's quiet for a few minutes but starts to cry I go back in an rock her for a few more minutes. If she squirms again I lay her back down and almost always the 2nd time she'll fall right asleep. It's like she just needs a few more minutes of comfort before going to sleep.

And I agree with the other poster...there is nothing wrong with her lying in her crib by herself for a while if she's just mellowing out. It is good for them and it shows that she in comfortable being alone for periods of time. This is a blessing. I am lucky and like you have a child with "too happy baby syndrome"

2fst · 09-30-2005, 05:26 AM

Sounds just like my DS. He never wants to sleep. We bought him a special swaddle blanket when he was about a month old and now at almost 4 months he does not want to give it up. We wrap him up at night and put his pacifier in and put him in bed, he wants nothing to do with rocking/cuddling. Being wrapped up he can't play with his hands which is his favoriet thing but sometimes he talks to himself until he falls asleep. Most nights he goes down pretty quickly. However, the Dr says he should CIO during the night and no more bottles (2-3 per night). And it just doesn't work. The first night he woke up and started to whimper since no one came he laid there and worked his hands out of his swaddle blanket and then played with them and talked to himself for 3 hours. Finally I got him up rewrapped him and fed him and he went back to sleep. The next night I gave in after an hour and have not tried that approach since. I know for me DS just needs a bottle and his swaddle blanket.

siren1024 · 09-30-2005, 02:06 PM

Thanks girls... I know many many women would cut off a limb to have a baby like her. LOL. I think it's a guilt issue because I feel like just because she's so content she doesn't get as much attention as she should. DS has always demanded attention and was always held and coddled or he was screaming. He still demands tons of attention, and she's just so happy to play on her own, as long as you shoot her a little smile and talk to her every now and then. I'm afraid her docile personality is getting her overlooked.

And to think I was worried about DS not getting enough attention after she was born. LOL. I think he's just gonna make sure he gets it no matter what. But I just feel like I'm neglecting her sometimes cause he's so demanding and she's so stinking happy!

I tried to let her CIO a little last night and DH went to get her.

He said "My little girl is crying!! I can't leave her to cry. Little girls are supposed to cry and need comfort." With DS, DH was like "Let him tough it out!! He has to learn." Men like him sure give alot of fuel to the whole "Nurture over nature" argument. LOL.