7 Month Old Nap Issues

Sleep disruptions are very common around the time they start crawling & sitting up. In fact, with each developmental milestone you may have sleep problems. It's normal. They are just so focused and want to practice and learn that they don't want to sleep. Just keep up with your routine and be consistent. It may take some time, but he will adjust.

When he gets back up and starts fussing, don't pick him up out of the crib. Lay him back down and rub his back/tummy and get him to calm back down. Limit talking and any other disruptions like turning on the lights, etc. You might have to stand there a bit, and lay him back down a few times, or just let him fuss, but he'll get it eventually.

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The book "healthy sleep habits happy child" has been one of our best purchases. We now have a one and two year old that sleep 13 hours at night and take 2.5 hour naps!

He is probably just on the verge of a developmental change (from your description), so that can disrupt sleep. Just keep his routine consistent, and you will probably have to let him fuss/cry a bit. But it will stop shortly. The best way to head this off or shorten the duration is to let him practice sitting up and crawling as much as possible while he is awake. He'll get it!

That sounds perfectly normal! Every time they learn something new, they want to practice mastering it and don't want to sleep. Hang in there and keep doing what you're doing - he'll get back on track soon.

I think it is important to learn that nap time is not only about sleeping. Most people of any age will go to sleep if the routine stays in place. BUT, before or after they sleep, they should also be left alone in order to learn to be alone. Give him some toys that are safe, have nothing he can choke on etc. Let him be in a room by himself, soft music and stay in there the entire time he would normally be sleeping. Let him fuss. He'll either end up falling asleep, or he'll learn to play.

Mom's that never teach their little ones to occupy themselves are the moms that become so burned out. Everyday some mom tells me how stressed they are, how they never get any time to themselves etc. If they are going to learn how to play on their own at any time, they need to start early. You'll be thankful later.

S.

Good Morning K., Zane our gr son is 17 months old and he does this to me some days. He is a back sleeper though, but stands up in his pack N play and throws out his woo-bee, bottle or blankets. I just leave him be and eventually he goes to sleep. He has developed a really big temper also. He's the only gr child who has ever thrown this big a fit. As long as he doesn't hurt himself i walk away.

You might put his music on random play repeat, or change to another CD, we use Baby Einstein Classical lullaby's. Keep doing what your doing K., your right in a way it is a power struggle, if you give in he wins...lol Little minx. At 7 months it's not going to harm him in anyway to fuss for a little while, if it goes on for more the 15 minutes lay him back down and leave once more. Don't pick him up by any means. If you do he's gotcha...lol

God Bless and best of everything with your precious little Prince.
K. Nana of 5

At 6 to 8 month babies are much more physical and so they can start having some sleep issues because of this like you describe. Have you tried "pick up/put down"? When he fusses you just pick him up (in a cradled position) until the moment he calms down, then put him back down. If he fights you then you put him right back down also and then pick him up again as he will still be crying. You can whisper calming words too just don't make eye contact or he will want to engage with you. I have been doing this successfully with my son the few times he has had sleep problems. Usually I have to do it 5 or 6 times, but it can go on longer. This is a technique from the Baby Whisperer book designed for babies 4 months and older. From what you have written I am thinking that you may have already read this book, but have you read "The Baby Whisperer Solves All Your Problems"? This goes into a lot more detail and has been a life saver for me. As babies go through different developmental stages, new sleep (& other) issues crop up and this book describes how to deal with each one. Best of luck to you!