Sleeping

[Chow44]

My baby Thomas is 5 1/2 months old now, he's has been a fighter for sleep since he was born. However, I've been having to rock him to sleep. I've tried putting him down in his cot when he's drowsy but not asleep and staying with him til he sleeps but instantly he wakes up when i put him down. He's such a light sleeper too. So no noise is a little hard when he is sharing with my 4 year old. He use to sleep through the night bit he's now started waking up during the night which wakes up my little girl.

I really need some tips or methods or websites to look at, to help me along to get him to self settle himself.

I'm literally feel like I'm falling to pieces and getting a little low in myself.

I need help and advice please

[Babypigeon Community Ambassador]

Hi sometimes if there are having a growth spurt it can effect their sleep. You say he used to sleep through has anything changed in his environment? What do you put him to bed in is he too hot or cold maybe? Have you tried white noise? Check out the justonenorfolk.nhs.uk website search sleep.

How is he through the day does he sleep much?

It may also be worth a phone call to the just one number team as they maybe able to talk through some different ideas.

Let us know how things go. Try to stay strong and positive as he can sense things and that could put he out of sorts a bit. I know it's easier said than done. 😊

[Chow44 in reply to Babypigeon]

Hi. I'm wondering whether Thomas had a growth spurt as last night he slept through. Also it might of been where we have put him in the cot in the last 2 weeks so change of scene.

He has 3 - 4 naps a day only consisting of 20-30mins. Which he always seems tired.

I'm just more so struggling with him to getting to self settle himself to go to sleep before bed and nap times. I try to put him down when he's drowsy but not asleep. I've tried staying with him so he won't cry but he think it's a game and wakes as soon as I put him down.

He does have a cot mobile which he'll watch for a while then all of a sudden start crying, even tho I'm with him.

I just don't know what other techniques to use to get him to self soothe to sleep on his own.

[Babypigeon Community Ambassador in reply to Chow44]

I've not had experience in the self soothe side but it might be that he isnt one of those babies. Sorry not much help

[Chow44 in reply to Babypigeon]

No worries. I'll try anything at the mo. But thanks anyway

[NorfolkHealthVisitor]

Hi

Have you looked on Just One Norfolk's sleep page justonenorfolk.nhs.uk/child...

also at the bottom of that page there's a section that says "need more information?" where there's a link to another site which has information on crying and sleep. Good luck. Remember it doesn't last forever, it just can feel like it.

[Chow44 in reply to NorfolkHealthVisitor]

Thank you. I will have a look. I did phone up to get some advice and they told me the something chair technique. I've just had a go with his 1st nap of the day and even tho it took me 30 mins to get him to sleep. He fell asleep in the end. He cried a fair few times. I just picked him up until he was settled and put him back down again. I only had to do that about 3 times. But we got through it.

[Chow44 in reply to NorfolkHealthVisitor]

Second nap was a failure. I knew he was tired so I thought perfect timing to put him into his cot. However once he was down, he screamed so I put my hand on go ease him. Nope, no success. Had to pick him up and every time he settled I tried to put him down again. And as soon as he was down, he screamed. He fell asleep on me in the end. However no rocking involved. Do u think it's ok for him to fall asleep on me even if I didn't rock as that was what he was use to??

[Hidden]

Have a look at basisonline.org.uk

It has some really good pointers and tips it is research led all babies are so different and probably very different to your first child - do you have anyone who can help give you some time for you too? Hope you find what you need

[Kayles101]

Heya I’m the same, my little girl is 5 1/2 months and I can’t put her down awake or even drowsy, she will go to sleep on me then when she’s gone I’ll lay her down. But that’s how it’s always been so she’s used to falling asleep on someone, it works for me so I’m not changing it now. I think when they get a bit older and understand bed time more, it will get easier 🤞 😁

[Chow44 in reply to Kayles101]

Awww bless ya. I started the ferber method in the end. He seems to have taken to it ok. I thought it was gonna be hard but he cried 45mins the 1st night, 20mins the 2nd and then 6mins last night. So cross fingers he's getting used to going asleep awake but drowsy. He is 7 months now however. Hopefully cross fingers, your little will get the gist of it later on.