My 3 month old daughter struggles to sleep during the day, without my assistance... help needed!

[clarino]

My 3 month old is really struggling to get to sleep during the day without my help. If i didnt let her fall asleep on my breast or take her out in the pram she'd never sleep. I know that i could just let her cry but I dont know if i am strong enough to let her. I'm Living in a small flat and its difficult to get away from her cry.

Any advice greatly received.

[Amethyst8]

Please don t let her cry it out at 3 months. IMO it is too young. 3 months is still quite early to be getting much of a sleep routine going. I know how you feel because DD didnt sleep during the day until nearly 9 months. I got so tearful and quite stressed in the beginning until I just accepted it. She wanted to be near me and that was it. DS had a long day time nap and slept through the night from about 6 weeks old so it DD was a huge shock. Is there anyway you could carry her around in a sling. Even if you are not a fan of the "Continuum Concept" it still allows you to get things done and do your own thing to a certain extent while she stays happy. I thought DD would never daytime nap but she does now for 1 - 2 hours and sleeps 10 - 12 hours at night. It will happen I promise. Both my DC are so happy and well adjusted now with great sleep habits because I just let them find their own way with a bit of tweaking when it got too much. I was on my own most of the time as DH was away a lot so it was hard work. Found acceptance of her little ways saved me a lot of heartache and the time really does fly by. You will miss all those cuddles and how much she needed you when she is older I promise.

[moljam]

i agree.try a sling.we used a pouch at first.i could do whatever i needed to do,ds slept soundly and i knew where he was and that he was safe.3 months is still tiny weeny.

[phdlife]

Amethyst's advice sounds good to me to Clarino - my ds would not sleep anywhere but on me for first 3.5m during the day - it was hugely stressful until I just accepted that's what he needed to do. I kind of figured, well it makes sense for someone so defenceless to want that security. Just make sure you get comfy somehwere you can have the pc and the phone handy!

[ChubbyScotsBurd]

I feel for you clarino, my 3mo LO is the same (sleeping in the sling as I type in fact!). I would be able to live with the wakeful daytimes if he wasn't such an overtired/overstimulated grumpy bugger by the evenings, they're hellish.

Overall it's easier if I just go with what he wants - my policy this week is going to bed with him at 2 (as we cosleep he's used to sleeping next to me, won't sleep in a cot at all!) to try and get him some much needed rest. I'm sort of optimistically hoping he'll learn that 2 is time for afternoon nap if I persevere. Don't even talk to me about how I get him to learn that 7 is bedtime though!

I couldn't let LO cry if I wanted to, he just works himself into a hysterical fit and it's awful - to be avoided at all costs. The sling has saved my life - if he looks even a bit sleepy I pop it on and then go for a walk/do my shopping/visit a friend or whatever, anything to keep him sleeping in it.

I'm clinging to the hope that he'll learn to sleep by himself with age (and that he'll become more amenable to sleeping in a cot, too!).

[phdlife]

scotsburd, I'm sure it will come

go ask on the sleep threads, I got lots of reassurance and it did come true - well, mostly. so far.

[ellehcim]

Four month old DS2 has been the same until this week. Then I finally bit the bullet and embarked on the GF routine that we're not supposed to talk about. Within 2 days I have one very contented little baby. Highly recommended.

Also bought a dummy with a very small teat since he was very sucky and wanted to feed to sleep every time. Worked a treat (after a few attempts when he gagged and looked at me like I was some kind of evil dummy whielding momster). I take it out as soon as he's drifted off.

Also moved him into his cot (from basket and hammock) which he seems to prefer because of the extra space

I feel for you - good luck x

[ChubbyScotsBurd]

Totally agree sprogger, ditto sleeping on my chest etc, but if it's all you can do then it's what has to be done!