Question I have an 11 month old son who used to take naps while I breast feed. It was
perfect. He would have his scheduled naps everyday and fall asleep really
easy. I was always worried that he would have trouble napping after he
stopped breast-feeding but all the books I read and literature on the internet
said not to worry, he would transition. What a load of crap! I am 7 months
pregnant and for some reason my milk dried up so my son is not content on
my breast anymore. I have such a hard time getting him to nap. I can't take
him for walks as I am in pain and can barely walk because of my hips. He is
very active and will NOT lay down quietly. He is a very squirmy baby. He
doesn't like to be rocked or held. He just always wants to play even when he
is extremely exhausted. The only thing that works sometimes is sitting with
him in front of a baby einstein dvd. However, that doesn't work all the time.
I usually have to wait until he crashes. Please help.
Answer Hello :) well... I am sorry you are having such a rough time... I had a child who never napped and it was miserable... ALthough, it isnt because of the breastfeeding... it seems easy to blame the nursing but most children don't have a hard time transitioning. There seem to me to be alot of changed going on in your baby's life. One, He is almost 1 year old. and every 6 months babies go through a developmental growth spurt that makes them uneasy at times. Notice this in the future when he has half birthdays and yearly birthdays... you may notice the trend. its just how the brain works as it grows. Secondly, you have a new little one on the way. He Might not like that he knows he has to share you and you act differnently around him already. Haveing irish twins ( I did that too ) is hard on the babies as well. He feels your stress and frustration and doesnt know how to act so he behaves as he has.
The best things I can suggest to you, would be to go to a nutrition store like whole foods etc, and ask them to reccomend something for the restless baby. There are several options like rescue remedy and different natural relaxers that don't have side effects that are harmful...
Secondly, I would suggest doing your best to take alot of deep breaths yourself. find a very quiet area, watch for his sleep signals and a half hour before you would be putting him to bed now, is when I would start a sleep ritual. like brushing teeth, washing hands, getting blankie, singing a nap song, whatever... do the same thing a half hour before his nap. then, he goes for his nap. it isnt a question.... he will thrive better in this routine than out of it. the same thing he enjoys every day.... same time. it might take a while, but its important to keep it up.
remember every baby is different. so just because "all the books " say one thing, or "everyone" says one thing, doesnt mean your baby will do it that way. and it also doesnt mean something is wrong with the baby, OR with YOU and how you parent. it just means he is different. and that isnt a bad thing...
you might also get the book the no cry sleep solution by susan pantly. that helped me alot with a non sleeper and high need baby. Dr sears also has a good sleep book.
