3 Month Old Sleeping Pattern

I wouldn't worry too much about the not sleeping in her crib for naps. You have done great getting her to sleep in her crib at night. As far as her napping so long, if your pediatrician seems to think she's healthy and growing correctly then you should be alright. If you have a nagging feeling that something is wrong with her i.e not getting enough to eat causing extra sleepiness, then you can always get a second opinion and consult another pediatrician.

Hi K.,
Congratulations on your little angel!I agree with the mom before me, babies do a lot of growing while sleeping, and 3 to 4 hr even at a time for nap is normal. Babies are all different, my firts would take naps like her, and like you I would just feel like waking him up to eat. I had a great Ped that advised me that this IS important during the first weeks while they develop the "hunger feeling", then is not necessary, they will wake up when they are hungry. Seems like you are doing great with her. I understand your apprehentions though. I also had twins, born at 5 pound so is only natural ou are worried about waight gain and all. But for what you say seems like she is doing great! As for the naps on her crib, I wouldn't even worry, that will happen eventually, the important things is that she is sleeping. I actually felt better ,with my twins specially, taking their naps close to me. I used a play pen that I put on my living room so I could do my things and be able to check on them everytime I went by. It wasn't long until they went to the cribs as well for naps, maybe around 6 moths or so. And please, DO NOT worry about spoiling her, she will be on her crib for naps before you know it. As it is I think in a blessing and not that common, that she is sleeping wonderfuly through the night on her crib.
Also, not to belittle other's advise,but before adding anything like fish oil or so to her diet, consult with your ped. Fish oil does provide omega 3 that is great for brain development, but I am not sure you can just incorporate that in the diet of an infant,her digestive system is also in development and if you are bfeeding, your milk has by nature, all the nutrients that she needs to grow healthy and strong, and if she is on formula,I am sure you are giving her the right one, as you say that her weight gain is normal...Just my opinion.

I hope this helps you!
Many blessings!

I think you should just thank your lucky stars that you have a child that will sleep that much! =) No, really, I think she's fine-- if she's happy and thriving, I wouldn't worry. I wish my daughter would sleep that well during the day. She seems to have the same problem yours does-- sleeps at night but doesn't want to sleep in the crib during the day-- and consequently, we have had many days where she doesn't sleep at all, which makes for a very cranky baby and a somewhat cranky mommy, too. And I wouldn't worry about her waking to eat at night-- she's still very young and somewhat small, so don't worry about that. As for sleeping in the crib, I wish I knew the answer to that one-- I've been just letting mine cry it out, but some days it works and some days it doesn't . So if yours is happier in a chair or a sling or something, let her sleep there. Sometimes my daughter conks out on the floor, and I just let her sleep there (if my son is out of the way). Good luck!

I have had 3 kids and everyone of them are were different. I personally do not believe in putting babies on schedules. Think about it, do you want someone to wake you up while you are resting to make you eat. I just fed them when they woke up. My last daughter just turned 6 months. She sleeps all day and all night. She's maybe up 5 hours out of the day. I consider that normal for her age. I wake her to change her diaper and that's about it. I feel like every child is different and yu have to do what works for you and that child. As long as your bundle of joy is healthy let her sleep. Also, try wrapping her firmly in a receiving blanket for her naps. That may help her sleep.

Hi K.

My twins were premature but weighed about 3lbs when they were born. A nurse explained to me that most children that small do not cry a lot because their bodies use all of their energy to grow. And they grow when they sleep. So, if your baby is not crying much and sleeping a lot, mabybe she is just in a growth spurt? I know she seems to have a "normal" weight but maybe she is still in that growth mode. My daughters also went through the same deal with sleeping in their cribs for naps. I used to lay them on the couch in a bobby and sat there until they woke up. (I am a stay at home mom and full time studen) About six months ago, they are now 2, we started doing the crib for naps. My trick to get them used to it was to play some music and stay in the room until they fell asleep. I would fold laundry or do something that let them know I was there but not paying attention to them. If they stood up, I simply laid them back down without a word. Now, it is to the point that I can lay them down and walk out of the room. No problems!! She might just like having you near. Good luck!!!

I think she's probably just fine! Remember, all babies are different and your precious little angel may need more sleep than her bigger, stronger counterparts. I say as long as she's exhibiting normal behavior (happy, smiling, cooing) while she's awake there's probably nothing to worry about. You can keep trying the crib and maybe she'll get used to it, but I'd just let her sleep wherever she's most comfortable.

Hi K.,
This sounds normal for such a tiny angel:) She is growing most when she is sleeping. This will proably continue for awhile with her. You didnt mention if she was bf or formula? If bf, I would add some orgainic fish oil for her omegas. Please refrain from giving her cereal for awhile. In her case, I would wait until 8 months at best. Her body, including her organs are developing at their own pace. Adding something too early would cause a lot of problems. I would take her to a chiropractor. This will stimulate her growth and help keep her healthy. I am a chiropractor so please feel free to ask any questions if you would like. Babies do thrive off of our treatment. As for the crib, I would just keep trying. It will happen in time. If you havent researched vaccines, please do so. childhoodshots.com has some really good info. Research repeatly shows an increase with problems in low weight births. I wish you the very best!

I have read in some books that any one nap lasting more than 3 hours during the day will cause a baby not to sleep as well at night. From my experience and what I have read, waking up once or twice to eat during a 9 hr period at night is not actually "sleeping well" for a 3 month old. My son was sleeping an 11 hr stretch without waking up at all by that time but he was a bit heavier so I think you should ask your pediatrician how long she can go without being woken up to eat or when you can let her cry a bit and see if she'll fall back asleep. Some people will tell you never to wake a sleeping baby while others would say to make sure she is not sleeping more than 3 hrs at a time during the day. Are you practicing eat, activity, sleep?

Also, sometimes you just have to get through 3 days or so of letting her cry in the crib until she falls asleep for naps and that should be enough to change a habit. Good luck!

peace mom- how are you? My daughter's sleeping patterns were similair to yours. she still does not sleep outside of my bed. some times she sleeps with her brother. keep in mind she- your baby- is three months. let her regulate her self a little bit.and you are doing a great job and your baby is okay. you already said it- she is happy when she awake and she is awake a good part of athe day-- so she is okay-- your baby is healthy and strong-- so nap when she naps and continue to love your baby that's it!!!! peace and smile