The Art of Nap Time - Infant Care (up to 18 months old) Message Board

RachelEH · 07-20-2006, 02:51 PM

ok, any opinions on this?

Lately, it has been taking my daughter a looong time to fall asleep for her naps (she takes two a day) Sometimes they are 2 hour naps, but lately have been not even an hour--teething, I am certain.So, I read her a story and lay her in her crib. She has a baby mirror, and piano attached to her crib, so these often amuse her for a while. Then she rolls around for awhile, always ending up on her tummy--then fusses until I roll her back over. Oh, I forgot--sometimes she loses her pacifier and she lets me know! This probably goes on for sometimes 45 minutes.
Questions:
Do I take the toys out so she isn't distracted?
Not come to her rescue when she always flips over and fusses?
Ignore her cries for the pacifier when it falls out?
And, the big one--Do I take her out of the crib if she hasn't fallen asleep in an hour? (or do I consider this her quiet time? I feel guilty though like I can be spending time with her.)

ok mommies what do I do? My husband really doesn't have any opinions on this. You guys are my best resource

Jakeysmom · 07-21-2006, 04:28 AM

Hi Rachel! How old is your DD? Some of what I might say next could be revised if she is less than 4-6 months old. I definitely would go get her if she has not fallen asleep in one hour. Then try to keep her up until her next nap time if possible. I also would try removing the toys to see if that makes a difference.

About the pacifier: try playing with her during the day by pulling it out slightly over and over making her "fight" for it. This will help teach her to keep it in herself. (And you guys can have a fun time with it!) After you are sure she can keep it in, try giving her a few minutues during nap time before you go to her to put it back in. (I did CIO with my DS for naps starting at 4 mos old because he would not be rocked, nursed, patted to sleep. He would simply stay awake crying until he was ready to pass out. The longest he ever cried was for 6 minutes and now I put him down awake after a bottle and he snuggles in and goes right to sleep. I know it is controversial, but for DS it was the only way I could get my overtired child the sleep he needed. I used the book Healthy Sleep Habits Happy Child by Dr.
Marc Weissbluth which offers a range of techniques, not just CIO if you are interested in a great science based sleep book.)

Concerning the flipping over: Can she roll from tummy to back and back to tummy by herself at other times of the day? What position does she sleep in at night? My ped said that tummy sleeping was ok as long my DS could roll on his own (He said to not make myself crazy by constantly putting him back on his back only to have him roll again 5 minutes later!) Ask your ped about this.

Having said all of this, you are right that it could be teething. My DS sleep habits change when he is getting teeth. His top 2 are now coming through at the same time (he is 9 mos) and the last week has been tough.

Sorry this is so long, hang in there-- I know from experience that sleep issues can be very frustrating and that as moms we are always worrying about what is the right thing to do. Trust your instincts on this one. If you feel it is temporary due to teething, do what you need to do regardless of what you might do at another time. If you feel it is becoming a new habit, you may have to try being a little firmer and more structured.

RachelEH · 07-22-2006, 11:20 AM

hey Jakeysmom,
Thanks for your input!
DD will be 6 months on Aug 1. She has been rolling from tummy to back and vice versa on her own.
I last night she rolled on to her tummy and fussed and fussed and fussed. I peeked in several times so she couldn't see me and eventually within a about 30 minutes she fell asleep on her tummy--it was so cute! So, I think I may just go that route for now, and let her fuss a little--she doesn't flat out cry at all...