tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7230077724876087121.post9090100024388049805..comments2023-08-22T01:59:18.988-06:00Comments on My Baby Sleep Guide | Your sleep problems, solved!: Tanking Up - A trick to help your child sleep longer at nightRachel Rowellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02160855322599826360noreply@blogger.comBlogger37125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7230077724876087121.post-7335480936083406342012-08-11T17:04:12.108-06:002012-08-11T17:04:12.108-06:001) Swaddling may be an issue, but he may sleep jus...1) Swaddling may be an issue, but he may sleep just as well unswaddled on his tummy. You can always try full swaddle a couple days (while monitoring) and see if his sleep changes. But if he does sleep better, will you switch to a full swaddle? If not, not worth trying anyway ;)<br /><br />2)The pacifier could really be helpful during the fussy evening time. It can also be really helpful when you are out and about and during sleep times. but it can turn into quite a prop. You have to weight the negative and positives. I used it with my second but not my first. I'm still not sure what I'll do with future kids but I'm leaning towards using one.<br /><br />3)Likely he'll very soon start napping badly if there is much going on around him. Or he'll take a short nap. I think it is good to get a pre-sleep routine (see index for more on this) and solid sleep location in place because most babies seem to sleep better in the long run with this. But if he sleep well all over still and you are out and about a bit, you may be able to get away with having him continue like this for a while, just make sure you do a consistent pre-sleep routine. Look over the waketime post to see how he compares to it. Yes, I think the long waketimes may be causing short afternoon naps which can be contributing to the fussiness in the evening (in addition to it being a naturally fussy time right now--but it should start improving soon).<br /><br />4)Yes, nursing to sleep can definitely turn into a prop. He sounds like a fairly easy going baby from what you've said so that should make things easier. Don't get too stress if you struggle in the evenigns for a few weeks more. IT is the peak fussy time and many babies will not fall asleep well on their own right now.<br /><br />5)You could try moving bedtime earlier right now, but he may not do it well with the fussy evening time. If you can do it, I'd do it. It'll help eliminate some of the evening fussy time (which may also be due to a late bedtime and overtirednes). By a few months of age I'd definitely do an early bedtime.<br /><br />RachelRachel Rowellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02160855322599826360noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7230077724876087121.post-7191826702810139832012-08-06T14:42:23.290-06:002012-08-06T14:42:23.290-06:00Hi Rachel,
Thank you so much for maintaining this...Hi Rachel,<br /><br />Thank you so much for maintaining this blog. It's so great to have all the information in one place, and your personal insights are extremely helpful.<br /><br />My baby is 8 weeks old. So far we haven't tried any sort of scheduling or sleep training. We've settled into a pattern of long morning naps, which decrease in length as the day goes on. He nurses on demand and has grown well (he's over 13 lbs now and was 8 lbs at birth). He sleeps 7-10 hours in a row at night, typically falling asleep between 8 and 10pm. <br /><br />He's a dream baby during the day, but 6-9pm is downright hellish. He screams continuously. He does cluster feed during this time. I feed him when I see hunger cues, but he often is frustrated at the breast at this time of day (has trouble latching, pounds his fists, continues to scream). Eventually he falls asleep nursing and we put him down in his bassinet next to our bed. <br /><br />A couple things:<br /><br />1. He sleeps on his stomach unswaddled (sometimes I swaddle his lower half but not his arms). I began sleeping him on his stomach at two weeks, when he had the ability to move his head from left to right on his own. While I know stomach sleeping isn't recommended, he slept much better immediately and I am comfortable with this choice. I'm mentioning it because it's why I don't swaddle his arms - they need to be out so that he can push up as needed to turn his head. Do you think his lack of swaddling is a problem?<br /><br />2. He has only successfully taken a pacifier a few times. Should I keep trying?<br /><br />3. I think he needs more afternoon naps (sometimes he stays awake 2-3 hours in the afternoon) and I was probably not recognizing his early tired cues. Also, he's been napping all over the house (in his bouncer, cradle in living room, swing in our workout room, bassinet in my room, and in his crib in his room), often while activity goes on all around him. Should I start napping him only in his crib, in a dark quiet room?<br /><br />4. I'm worried about the nursing becoming a sleep prop in the evening. Today I tried the 4S ritual (minus the swaddle) for a nap and I think it worked well. He cried for a full 5 mins while sitting. He stopped crying as soon as I stood up and walked to his crib. I put him down and did the shush-pat until he fell asleep (that took 5 mins). I am going to try the same thing tonight, but in the bassinet in our room (we have guests coming this weekend and they're staying in his room; I don't want to confuse him by putting him in his crib for a few nights and then back in the bassinet over the weekend).<br /><br />5. As mentioned, we've been doing cluster feeding in the evening pretty much by accident, but we don't do a dream feed. Should I move his bedtime earlier and do a dream feed?<br /><br />Thanks for your time and help. If we could improve on the misery that is 6-9pm in our house I'd be thrilled!Fifthjhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17764094671831221497noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7230077724876087121.post-5406494531221495542012-08-01T15:41:47.957-06:002012-08-01T15:41:47.957-06:00Casey,
Does he seem to nap better one dy than the ...Casey,<br />Does he seem to nap better one dy than the other? My only guess right now is that ore tiredness is making a difference. Maybe it is making him sleep worsE which makes him super super overtired so he sleeps better the next day, or it is even possible it is making him sleep better for one day to be a little overtired but then e gets well rested and doesn't sleep as well the next day.<br /><br />I don't have any other ideas right now, sorry. And if it s over tiredness, it may seem like t is a good thing to have then. But it isn't. Think of how you feel when your overtired. Even if you slept better it wouldn't be worth it to feel crummy and have difficulty learning during the day. Regardless of what is going on, I'd work on keeping a sleep log(see index for how) to look for patterns and I'd see if an earlier bedtime helped and if waiting a bit longer between the bedtime and df feeds helped.<br /><br />RachelRachel Rowellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02160855322599826360noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7230077724876087121.post-88123139034018323592012-07-27T02:23:20.968-06:002012-07-27T02:23:20.968-06:00Sorry.. I meant to say days followed not fooledSorry.. I meant to say days followed not fooledCaseyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00561609889481719834noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7230077724876087121.post-83087276405173668832012-07-27T02:11:15.709-06:002012-07-27T02:11:15.709-06:00I have a one month old and for some reason this se...I have a one month old and for some reason this seems to be working only every other night. I feed him at 9 pm and then do a dream feed at 10:30. He seems to be getting a full feeding each time. One night he will sleep for a 5 hr stretch, go right back to sleep and be extremely pleasant that day. The days fooled by those 5 hr stretches he eats and sleeps well and hardly cries. The following night however he usually wakes up between 2:30-3:00. After this feeding he usually will not go back to sleep until after his 6am feeding. Days followed by these nights he is fussy and doesn't sleep well. Any thoughts? I try to replicate my 9 pm and 10:30 pm routines as closely as possible and can't recognize that I'm doing differently.Caseyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00561609889481719834noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7230077724876087121.post-70209793755139813672012-01-28T20:36:02.328-07:002012-01-28T20:36:02.328-07:00Thanks for stopping by rosann. I hope this blog i...Thanks for stopping by rosann. I hope this blog is helpful for your friends!<br /><br />RachelRachel Rowellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02160855322599826360noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7230077724876087121.post-54539286263841456362012-01-27T07:28:26.839-07:002012-01-27T07:28:26.839-07:00Wow, this is really great and helpful information....Wow, this is really great and helpful information. If only I'd known it when my little ones were that age. I do have quite a few friends who are pregnant or have just had babies. I will be sure to pass this on to them. Thanks for sharing. :)<br /><br />Blessings,<br />~RosannAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10594967600495492941noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7230077724876087121.post-44201203637017125872012-01-05T20:01:15.731-07:002012-01-05T20:01:15.731-07:00Thanks you sweetwahineThanks you sweetwahineRachel Rhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15381702548711575853noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7230077724876087121.post-10196522007345241922012-01-05T20:01:00.542-07:002012-01-05T20:01:00.542-07:00Thanks back, forever a teenThanks back, forever a teenRachel Rhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15381702548711575853noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7230077724876087121.post-56535251837421634552012-01-05T20:00:48.421-07:002012-01-05T20:00:48.421-07:00Mommy with selective memory,
Thanks so much!Mommy with selective memory,<br />Thanks so much!Rachel Rhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15381702548711575853noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7230077724876087121.post-3913487051008321052012-01-05T19:59:51.814-07:002012-01-05T19:59:51.814-07:00Thanks for the follow katie!
RachelThanks for the follow katie!<br /><br />RachelRachel Rhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15381702548711575853noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7230077724876087121.post-87013170693117623532012-01-05T19:59:38.029-07:002012-01-05T19:59:38.029-07:00I'm so glad you like the blog april! Thanks fo...I'm so glad you like the blog april! Thanks for sharing it!<br /><br />RachelRachel Rhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15381702548711575853noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7230077724876087121.post-75960170583668189222012-01-05T19:59:04.515-07:002012-01-05T19:59:04.515-07:00JamericanSpice,
Thanks for the follow!JamericanSpice,<br />Thanks for the follow!Rachel Rhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15381702548711575853noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7230077724876087121.post-56544177887017360562012-01-05T19:58:49.769-07:002012-01-05T19:58:49.769-07:00Sugar,
Thanks for the follow!Sugar,<br />Thanks for the follow!Rachel Rhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15381702548711575853noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7230077724876087121.post-80466681100892828242012-01-05T19:58:16.999-07:002012-01-05T19:58:16.999-07:00Danielle,
It helps for most babies. With mine, not...Danielle,<br />It helps for most babies. With mine, not so much, but I know it has extended sleep for hours with some babies.<br /><br />RachelRachel Rhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15381702548711575853noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7230077724876087121.post-65792649260122736612012-01-05T19:57:39.305-07:002012-01-05T19:57:39.305-07:00Julia, You are welcome for the tip, thanks for the...Julia, You are welcome for the tip, thanks for the follow!Rachel Rhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15381702548711575853noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7230077724876087121.post-91987253730746546722012-01-05T19:56:51.152-07:002012-01-05T19:56:51.152-07:00Colorado Mountain mom,
Well, the good news is that...Colorado Mountain mom,<br />Well, the good news is that if you decide to night wean, you will know 100%, pretty much from where ever you check, that he doesn't need the feed so you don't have to stress about that. I know that is a worry of a lot of moms :) Sorry you are tired all the time! No fun! My guess is that when you stop nursing things will improve. But I don't know when you plan on that happening. One of my friend (who is so tired all the time too) still wakes up to nurse her 3 year old every few hours---so it can go on for a long time with some kids!<br /><br />RachelRachel Rhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15381702548711575853noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7230077724876087121.post-31587860856637005962012-01-05T19:54:25.610-07:002012-01-05T19:54:25.610-07:00Thanks for visiting angela. When it comes to sleep...Thanks for visiting angela. When it comes to sleep, my kids were not born lucky at all! We had to work at it, a lot!<br /><br />RachelRachel Rhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15381702548711575853noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7230077724876087121.post-24921412093052632702012-01-05T19:53:36.177-07:002012-01-05T19:53:36.177-07:00Burundanguitas cs,
Thanks for visiting and followi...Burundanguitas cs,<br />Thanks for visiting and following!Rachel Rhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15381702548711575853noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7230077724876087121.post-24628292083856670982012-01-05T19:53:17.416-07:002012-01-05T19:53:17.416-07:00Momto8,
Thanks for the follow. And I agree that nu...Momto8,<br />Thanks for the follow. And I agree that nursing is the way to go if you can :)Rachel Rhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15381702548711575853noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7230077724876087121.post-58373733951426110942012-01-05T19:52:46.574-07:002012-01-05T19:52:46.574-07:00Raquel Cummings, Thanks for following! Visited you...Raquel Cummings, Thanks for following! Visited your site.Rachel Rhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15381702548711575853noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7230077724876087121.post-58330630229160747042012-01-02T19:46:10.933-07:002012-01-02T19:46:10.933-07:00great suggestions!!!great suggestions!!!sweetwahinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11902181977764693852noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7230077724876087121.post-41454697050984081732012-01-02T12:43:17.805-07:002012-01-02T12:43:17.805-07:00Crazy Nuts Mom,
At that age, it is more about havi...Crazy Nuts Mom,<br />At that age, it is more about having a good routine and having a plan and sticking to it. Let them know bed isn't an option and that all their tactics will not help (but you can't give in at all and you have to stay calm about everything). And try to make bedtime enjoyable. Read books etc. Hope that helped :)Rachel Rowellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02160855322599826360noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7230077724876087121.post-54083792717349791352012-01-02T06:40:20.085-07:002012-01-02T06:40:20.085-07:00Thanks for stopping by my blog. I am following vi...Thanks for stopping by my blog. I am following via Twitter.<br /><br />Any advice for kids who are 4 and 6. I'm not sure clutter feeding would work for them. But I would love it if they went to bed without fighting me to do it! :)<br /><br />Regina<br />www.thecrazynutsmom.comCrazyNutsMomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14004394487011928035noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7230077724876087121.post-38150449257996295962012-01-01T20:44:43.132-07:002012-01-01T20:44:43.132-07:00Returning the love back from Forever A Teen. Thank...Returning the love back from Forever A Teen. Thank you for the follow. :DForever A Teen https://www.blogger.com/profile/12323790862670453655noreply@blogger.com