Sleep Advice

[SarahK]

Katie is almost six months old and really doesn't nap...and she wakes up multiple times at night to nurse or to fuss or for whatever reason.

She used to sleep VERY well--we used to be able to put her down awake and she would go to sleep on her own...and she used to sleep through the night. Then we were advised to wake her up frequently to feed her...and her sleep has never been the same.

Now she requires rocking and/or nursing (as well as a pacifier) in order to get to sleep--and she has to be 100% asleep when we put her down or else her eyes fly open and she gets really upset. Additionally, she is swaddled from the armpits down at night. She startles very easily and has entire life.

She rarely naps. When I can get her to nap in her crib, her naps last a maximum of about 30 minutes. When she naps in my arms, she'll nap for 60+ minutes...because I can shush her and soothe her back to sleep every time she startles.

Two days ago she slept for a total of 20 minutes all day. Today she's slept for ten minutes.

I don't know what to do...I feel like I've tried just about everything I feel comfortable trying (ie I'm not going to do CIO...but you all know that already.)

I should add that Katie won't cosleep, much to my disappointment. :(

Suggestions/ideas/commiseration??

[catlover515]

My guy won't nap in his crib (yet unused since he co-sleeps) or on our bed. The only place he will nap is in my arms or in his swing (which is is rapidly approaching the weight limit).
No advice, just willing to comisserate with you. I can see how tired he gets during the day but fights sleeping so hard.

[Kris]

Do you have any type of white noise you could use? Like a fan or soft music?

[SarahK]

I keep her humidifier going...without it her sleep would probably be even worse.

[Brandi]

Carter slept in his swing for his naps for quite a while - don't think it was 6 months though. I don't have any help for you though. SORRY! What about wearing her in a sling? I don't know if that is something you want to do, but it might let you get a few things done while she is snoozing (like surfing on OUAL!)

[SarahK]

Unfortunately she hates the sling--she likes the Bjorn, but only sometimes will sleep in it--and I have to be walking around for that to work.

[AllyRae]

I don't know if this will work for you, but Bran was a non-napper as well. IF he napped, it had to be in a sling walked around, or laying in my lap. Two weeks ago, we bought him a little mat (like they use for daycare kids), and I set that on the floor next to the computer desk. When he showed ANY signs of getting tired, I would lay him on the mat, and lay next to him. I'd nurse him until just before he fell asleep, then pop the binky in his mouth. Usually I end up holding his hand until he's completely asleep. Then I slooooooooowly roll away...if he moves at ALL during this time, I pop right back over to him. As soon as I can get away, I'm free to type at the computer or whatever. The first time, he slept 15 minutes....but now, he can sleep an hour at a time 3 times a day.

Here's a picture of his mat...

http://img55.photobucket.com/albums/v169/allyrae/6monthssleep.jpg (http://img55.photobucket.com/albums/v169/allyrae/?action=view&current=6monthslegotable.jpg)

http://img55.photobucket.com/albums/v169/allyrae/5monthsnapmat.jpg (http://img55.photobucket.com/albums/v169/allyrae/?action=view&current=5monthsmeshfeeder.jpg)