3 month old w/ sleeping problem... Need advice

DS is just shy of 3 months old. For the past month, he's been going to sleep for the night around 7-8pm, wake at 2:30-3:30am for a bottle and then back to bed til either he wakes or I wake him around 6am (he goes to a sitter while I work). The problem for the past 3 nights is that he's been sleeping until about 4-5am, eats, falls asleep while burping and then once he's put down in his crib, he opens his eyes, smiles & starts talking and wanting to play. For the first 2 nights, I was able to get him to fall back asleep but only if he is laying on my chest. My poor DH couldn't get him to fall back asleep this morning and the 2 of them have been up since 4:30am.

This pattern can't continue or we're going to be miserable. I will say that he does not really take "naps" during the day, he's more of a cat-napper so he should be exhausted and wanting to sleep.

Any suggestions, tips, etc?

Re: 3 month old w/ sleeping problem... Need advice

I read somewhere that the better a baby naps, the better he will sleep. My DS wasn't a consistent napper and his nightime sleeping patterns were erratic. So I made an effort to rock him to sleep several times a day and get into a nap "schedule." This improved his nightime sleeping a lot. DS just turned three months on 6/24 and we are in a pretty good routine. I know you said your baby is at a sitter while you are working. Maybe you guys can figure something out about napping better so he sleeps better at night. GL!

Re: 3 month old w/ sleeping problem... Need advice

I agree with the PP- good naps=good night sleep.

I loved the book Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child to help DD on a more regular sleep schedule. I found that it worked very well.

GL!

Message edited 7/1/2008 10:11:11 AM.

Re: 3 month old w/ sleeping problem... Need advice

Just want to say im in a similar situation! DS goes to sleep in the crib but after he wakes for his first feeding around 2am... he only wants to fall asleep with me! Ill rock him and every time I lay him in the crib... WIDE awake!

I know how you feel... so sorry!

Re: 3 month old w/ sleeping problem... Need advice

I am shocked to say I actually remember this...Lucas would wake in the middle of the night for a bottle and go back so easy but then wake at around 4 or 5 for another bottle...sleep and wake when we tried to put him down...sometimes he wouldn't even fall asleep in our arms.

A few things we tried that I think helped:

Noise machine for sleep so he associated the two

Same rules for going to bed - no talking, no lights

This was when we started using the Huggies Overnights because we decided no diaper changes unless he smelled too awful or leaked.


In the end it might have just been time and maturity on his part that changed his sleeping habits but either way it should adjust.

Now at 13 months my little guy as started waking at 5:30 am the past few days...not sure why but over time it becomes easier to deal with and I tell myself it should pass.

Re: 3 month old w/ sleeping problem... Need advice

Posted by july0105

I read somewhere that the better a baby naps, the better he will sleep. My DS wasn't a consistent napper and his nightime sleeping patterns were erratic. So I made an effort to rock him to sleep several times a day and get into a nap "schedule." This improved his nightime sleeping a lot. DS just turned three months on 6/24 and we are in a pretty good routine. I know you said your baby is at a sitter while you are working. Maybe you guys can figure something out about napping better so he sleeps better at night. GL!

Re: 3 month old w/ sleeping problem... Need advice

My 3 1/2 month old does this also. My DH and I put her in her swing after her middle of the night feeding. I hate doing it but it is the only way we can get some sleep. We have been doing this for 10 weeks now.

We are going to try our best to break this habit of hers over the long weekend.

Good luck to you.