Janet_78
11 week old suddenly won't sleep unless held
My son is 11 weeks old and has started teething. Prior to this I could get him down for his naps during the day with his dummy and some patting, but now he just cries and cries and will only go to sleep when held. He will fight sleep for over an hour at a time (sometimes even when he is held) and I am exhausted with constantly holding him to get him to sleep, especially as his sleeps only last one sleep cycle but he gets tired after an hour of being awake. I have tried controlled crying and pick up/put down techniques but neither work for me. What do you suggest?? Please help!!
Jane ...
Answer:
Hi,
At 11 weeks of age, his sleep/settling behaviour is probably not due to teething. It could be, but is more likely due to normal developmental behaviour or how he’s learnt to go to sleep. If he is healthy and thriving and gaining weight, reaching his milestones and is doing well then it’s reasonable to implement some responsive settling strategies for his age. We no longer do controlled crying technique and at 11 weeks, you will need to cuddle and reassure him alot.
Leaving him to cry is unlikely to do much and will only escalate his unsettledness. Have you spoken with your CHN about what options you have regarding admission to an early parenting centre?
If you are really tired then your own tolerance won’t be so great, there may be real benefits to you having a short admission so you can benefit from the support and tips you’ll receive there. Do check if you fit the admission criteria but generally, young babies and exhausted mothers qualify.
The other issue is that if he’s only sleeping for around 20-40 minutes at a time there would be benefits in trying to resettle him when he wakes and trying to extend this time. Aim to put him down after he’s fed, when he’s sleepy and showing tired signs and due for a sleep. Try not to cuddle him to sleep each and every time and place him into his cot clean, dry, comfortable and tired but ultimately, still awake. patting and shshing him, playing a relaxation CD and just soothing him may help.
Check out the sleep and settling information for his age group on the Huggies site and make an appt. to see your child health nurse.
Cheers
Jane
At 11 weeks of age, his sleep/settling behaviour is probably not due to teething. It could be, but is more likely due to normal developmental behaviour or how he’s learnt to go to sleep. If he is healthy and thriving and gaining weight, reaching his milestones and is doing well then it’s reasonable to implement some responsive settling strategies for his age. We no longer do controlled crying technique and at 11 weeks, you will need to cuddle and reassure him alot.
Leaving him to cry is unlikely to do much and will only escalate his unsettledness. Have you spoken with your CHN about what options you have regarding admission to an early parenting centre?
If you are really tired then your own tolerance won’t be so great, there may be real benefits to you having a short admission so you can benefit from the support and tips you’ll receive there. Do check if you fit the admission criteria but generally, young babies and exhausted mothers qualify.
The other issue is that if he’s only sleeping for around 20-40 minutes at a time there would be benefits in trying to resettle him when he wakes and trying to extend this time. Aim to put him down after he’s fed, when he’s sleepy and showing tired signs and due for a sleep. Try not to cuddle him to sleep each and every time and place him into his cot clean, dry, comfortable and tired but ultimately, still awake. patting and shshing him, playing a relaxation CD and just soothing him may help.
Check out the sleep and settling information for his age group on the Huggies site and make an appt. to see your child health nurse.
Cheers
Jane
Answered:
06 Feb 2012