3 month old would rather sleep than go out - - Infant Care (up to 18 months old) Message Board

friday13 · 05-06-2006, 10:33 AM

OK is it bad for me to keep my 3 month old at home during the day etc. and not run out and do errands when she wants to sleep - and I mean sleep in her own crib - not a baby car seat or anything else will do...??

will she grow out of this?

she is up for about 1.5 hours during the day then sleeps for 2 - 2.5 hours and back up for 1.5 hours and back down for 2-2.5 hours.... so I can't really go anywhere or do anything without her getting super cranky.

I don't mind waiting for her to grow out of sleeping so much - I just wonder if I should be taking her out and getting her used to being out???? my gut says - suck it up - stay home - and let her nap as much as she wants - and she will in time be bigger and want to do more stuff....

some opinions would be great!

Rubydoo · 05-07-2006, 01:52 AM

I have EXACTLY the same dilema as you. My 3 mth old is so settled and happy at home, up for 1.5hrs down for 1 or 2. Never grumpy, gets lots of sleep (in her hammock)and lots of play time. When we go out she will not sleep ever and loses the plot after a couple of hours and i have to either race home and get her to bed or keep her firmly attached to the boob (she will not sleep in the care seat). I believe it is much better for her growth and development to be at home sleeping and eating. Babies arn't designed to be carted around shops awake all day. BUT we life in a western world and for our sanity we need to get out and about and i guess it's good for babies to get used to being out and about. Find a happy medium i say. If you can handle being at home a lot have a few days a week where you stay at home all day and then try some little outings other days. I don't feel bad about keeping her home. I know at this age it is much better for her to be getting lots of sleep and being settled. There is plenty of time for outings.
would welcome others opinions....

Jakeysmom · 05-07-2006, 04:54 AM

Hi!

I think you are doing the right thing by listening to your gut! My DS is 6 mos old and we still have to plan the day aroung his naps. If we do not put him in his crib he does not get the sleep he needs and is super cranky. He has however settled into a pattern that does allow us to get out, get groceries etc and go out to dinner. He usually takes a morning nap for 2 hours around 8:3O, then another nap around 1 or 2 and sometimes a short one in the late afternoon. He goes to bed at 7:30 and gets up at 5 (yuck, I know!).

Around 3 mos he was just like your baby, after being awake 1 1/2 to 2 hours he needed to sleep. I read a book called Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child and this book confirmed that some to most babies are just that way. He can stay up longer now, up to 3 hours so we can get out. Now when my DS is awake he is super happy, plays great, eats well and I think a lot of it is due to letting him get the sleep he needs. Sometimes we cheat and let him get one of his naps in the car if there is something that we absolutely have to do, or really really want to do but we don't make it an every day thing.

The book also said that around 9 months some babies go from 3 to 2 or 1 naps per day--probably then I will complain that he doesn't sleep enough, LOL! Anyway, I hope this helps, you sound like a great mom!

friday13 · 05-07-2006, 06:56 AM

OK that makes me feel better! we took her out yesterday - my hubby wanted to go to the mall etc. - and she missed her nap time - just as she was sleeping for 10 min. in the stroller - Yep some jerk of a guy was SCREAMING his kids name in a very quiet store ---- !! totally woke her up and she was cranky and we had to do two more stops - it was awful . soooooo - I think maybe once a week we can try to get out at this point in time - but for the most part I am going to keep her at home with walks outside and such.

My brother tells me though that the more I keep her at home and not get her used to being out - the worse she will be later on when she is older.... but I don't know - she is fine and happy when we are out - (she just doesn't last that long cause she needs a nap)!! so I think she is a very calm, happy baby - just needs her sleep. I so hope he is wrong...

Jakeysmom · 05-07-2006, 07:15 AM

Don't worry, I am sure that your baby will be fine when out later! When we take our baby out now he is great, I think BECAUSE he is rested. It's not like you never take your baby out-- just continue trusting your "mom" instict. I am a first time mom and I thought it would be so hard to make decisions about what was right for my DS. But my DS has been the one to lead me into those decisions by his habits and disposition--- and by trial and lots of errors, lol!