Naps are difficult

[cifarelli]

So why is it so hard for me to get my kid to take a nap anywhere that isn't my arms? *sigh* If I get him to sleep, it seems like about 2/3 of the time he wakes up as soon as or very shortly (within 5 minutes) after I set him down somewhere. Just now, I put him in his swing, which is where he naps best, and he woke immediately. He looked around

Comments

[onefishclappin]

We are in the middle (likely more on the "cry it out" side) on this too. One thing to keep in mind is there are times that it really feels like what he needs is a release of energy caused by crying. I've actually found this with both of the kids - just yesterday, Matthew was a Pill all evening, pushing and trying to get into trouble. Finally, he misbehaved enough that I picked him up and took him to the car (we were at David's race) and talked to him. As soon as I "got mad" at him, he bawled, then quickly quieted down, and afterwards, was a gentleman. It was like he needed help expressing himself and once he did, he was much happier. Strange child. But to the point, Alex gets so tired that the constant "mama" stimulation is too much and he sleeps longer and more soundly if I leave him alone for 5 minutes while he's trying to fall asleep. If he's still fussing after those 5 minutes, I figure he needs the comforting or there's something wrong (diaper, food, gas, etc) and I go to him and attend to his needs. For him, the sign is usually that he's fussing even when being held, but not acting like he wants something in specific.

[cifarelli]

Usually when Corwin does this, it turns out he needed to poop. He'll poop some time later (sometimes as much as an hour later) and then he'll be calm. I discovered this the one time I got so frustrated with him that I did put him down in his crib and let him cry. After 10 minutes of furious screaming, he pooped and was instantly quiet and happy.

The other option is that he's tired. If he's tired, he'll usually fall asleep if I either let him comfort nurse or carry him around the house for a bit. And this afternoon he actually did fall asleep in the swing, and has been asleep for about 2.5 hours now. I'm hoping this doesn't bode badly for him sleeping on the way to Austin tonight.

But if I set him down somewhere when he's tired and fussing, he just fusses, and eventually works himself up to a full-on crying fit. He doesn't tend to fall asleep from a fussy state.

[onefishclappin]

Wow - sounds like you are learning your baby! (I know Alex is a freak, just like his Mama.) How does he do with poop'ing and tummy time? I know that sometimes induces Alex to produce...
All I have to say is I feel sorry for you when teething time comes - it sucks!!!