Baby Fighting Sleep

[april17]

Anyone have any suggestions for me? My 4 week old has decided to fight sleep during the day and we have been dealing with this since Sunday. He is constantly crying and fussing during the day and just won't close his eyes and sleep. However he is sleeping at night just fine, so I don't think there is anything wrong with him. He is eating as normal and having regular dirty diapers, so he seems to be fine medically. He just won't give into going to sleep.

I just don't know what to do.

[sara76]

Do you have a Moby wrap? It's pretty awesome. It keeps them warm and secure and the sound of your heartbeat calms them right down and you get 2 hands to do stuff with.

[jen812]

I just kept trying different things to help D fall asleep. Car ride, walk in stroller, swing, baby wearing. D likes to listen to relaxing music when going to sleep.

[sara76]

All those things Jen said. Try keeping some sort of lovie or blankey between you when you are holding him and then keeping it with him when you put him down so he still smells you. Bring in the carseat ( without the base) and put the favorite blankey near his head (not where it can cover it obvs) and gently rock that.

[mrsshawanab]

My guy only would nap in his swing or in the car the first few weeks. Now he is pretty good about falling asleep wherever.
But I'm having a really hard time getting him to sleep at night! So I feel your pain.

[loskadoodle]

I have to walk around with mine until he falls asleep. He just starting like a lovey though so that helps. When all else fails and he is in meltdown mode, then I swaddle. Also I have a white noise app on my phone that helps him fall alseep too. All that said, he is still not a great napper during the day. He sleeps very lightly and will nap for 45 mins at the most.

[mrsmew]

I'm currently sitting here listening to my baby fight off her nap. She's been talking to herself for like 20 minutes. JUST FREAKING SLEEP. She's also a great night sleeper but horrible napper. I feel your pain.

In the beginning what worked for us was bouncing her on an exercise ball. That knocked her out every time and then we could usually lay her down. Her swing worked sometimes too, or walking in the stroller. I did a LOT of walking at the beginning.

Basically, I just kept trying things until I found something that worked. The ball was my go-to, though, for sure. She was powerless against that ball. Good luck, mama!

[sara76]

Lol Mrsmew! Mine went down at 4, shed been up since 7:30. I'll do the math, that's 8.5 hours before a nap. Omg. She sleeps when nursing but when I put her down she is my little jack in the box:)

[april17]

Thanks for all the feedback and suggestions. He did eventually give into sleep at 12pm today and then slept until 4pm. So now to keep him occupied for a while before he can go back to sleep for the evening. We just went on a nice walk in the neighborhood which took about 45 minutes. Now he is just chilling in the stroller.....but he's not crying! Not yet anyway. Will have to look into some of the things you all suggested. At least I know I'm not alone in this. I just assumed at this young age sleep wouldn't be an issue!

[sara76]

You're def not alone. Sleep is hands down the hardest part. It's all you want and all they don't. 4 weeks is when they start to wake up a little more and start to kind of join the family, and you start to really communicate. Eventually you'll know what all his different cries mean. For now it's just trial and error and you got it. A 4 hour nap! Oooh what I would give!