Advice please on how to get a baby to sleep during the day?

[Kata89]

My baby girl is 14 weeks. She used to sleep during the day but for the last few weeks has been resisting it. She sleeps well during the night, waking up once or twice for a feed. She falls asleep at night feeding, (she's fully breastfeed & won't take a dummy). During the day however it's a completely different story.

She will on occasions sleep for a few hours at a time but more often than not she cat naps in the car, pram or once she is fed. This wouldn't be a problem if she could cope with it. She seems to have a permanent red mark over her eyes where she is clearly tired and gets very upset. She won't go down for a nap if left she just screams until she's picked up again. White noise has no effect on her. Nor does swaddling.

Any suggestions?

[kt_11]

Have you tried a sling/carrier? I’ve had very similar issues with my little boy who is now 5 months old (23 weeks).

Unfortunately I don’t have a magic solution as my baby seems to go from under-tired to over-tired in seconds and no matter when or how I put him down for a nap he will not go to sleep and gets very irritable with it.

I’m aware of all the advice about putting them down ‘drowsy but awake’ and looking for sleepy cues etc but it makes no difference. He’s been very alert since the day he was born and seems to struggle to switch off. He will sleep in the pram or car but similar to your daughter, generally only for short periods. I’m trying to work on helping him to settle back to sleep when he wakes but I find the only way to get a longer sleep during the day is in the sling.

So not much advice I’m afraid but just wanted to let you know you’re not alone & hopefully someone will have some experience which will help us both! x

[Kata89 in reply to kt_11]

That's really helpful, she's the same in the sling. It's nice to know that I'm not the only one. Though I was and still am much the same. She is fine then grouchy straight away after, same as your son x

[Chrissie81]

My baby girl is 14 weeks and also was refusing to nap in the day, I think it is because there is so much going on. Either we are out and about or there is music/tv on at home. Once I notice she is ready for a nap I put white noise on and try to keep things quiet until she drops off. It usually works