Napping and Separation Anxiety

Anastacia - posted on 12/05/2010

When I first read this post, I was trying to nurse my baby to sleep. :) But of course he wakes up as soon as I lay him down just about every time. Sometimes he just won't be nursed to sleep. He'll sometimes act like he is wide awake even when it's past his bedtime. The hardest is when he's happy and smiling and I know he needs to go to bed. So your definitely not alone. :) I think it does help knowing that others are going through the same stages and it's not just my kid being stubborn. I have to let him cry it out. Sometimes he gets over it quick and other times it seems to take a while. I'm just glad when he finally does give it up and goes to sleep. He usually sleeps pretty sound when that happens.

Shauna - posted on 11/30/2010

Yeah, it really doesnt matter if you nurse them or not. They just want to be with you. Smart creatures they know how to break your heart. My son wanted to sleep in bed with us at night and would cry and cry when he awoke in the middle of the night. It took 3 days to break him. Now he sleeps fine without waking up. First night he screamed for 2 hrs second 1 1/2 hrs third 30 min last night he slept all night. It just takes alot of work on your part just keep checking on him and telling him you love him but dont pick him up.
Also schedules and routines are a must for babies. Make sure his naps he is layed down at the same time everyday. Whether he seems tired or not his body will know this is my time to rest. good luck!

Jill - posted on 11/29/2010

That's really good to know that this happens if you nurse them down too, it gives me courage to stick with the CIO'ing.

I talked to my doctor about it and he said that there's not much to do to make it more comfortable for them, just be consistent and know that he'll get through it. He said it will take a few weeks.

Amy - posted on 11/29/2010

It doesn't matter if you nurse or not it's still going to happen, at least that's what I'm experiencing! About a week and a half ago my daughter started crying when I left the room after putting her in her crib, she's never done that! Even if I nurse her to sleep she wakes up 30 minutes later screaming until I go rock her back to sleep. I know some of is seperation anxiety and her first tooth just came through on Sunday so I'm sure it's a combination of things! Good luck I can't let her cry for 10 minutes especially since I know she's in pain on top of everything.

Becky - posted on 11/29/2010

hmmmm i'm kind of in the same boat!! At night... i turn on his noise machine and music, nurse him for a couple of minutes..and then rock him and read him his nighty-night story... and then lay him in his crib... he falls asleep straight away with that.. but for naps.. he'll only go to sleep if i rock and nurse him and fights it even then... as you have gotten your LO to sleep without nursing.. maybe you've given me enough courage to try that as well!!! good luck..let me know how it goes... mine does the same when his nana watches him as well