7 Month Old Trying to Go to Sleep but Can't

Totally normal! My daughter was the same way at that age, her daycare provider (20 years experience, and so incredibly knowledgeable) was very reassuring and let me know it's common when babies are gaining mobility. It did get tricky when she learned how to pull herself up to standing in the crib...she thought it was really funny and would do it over and over again. We would just check on her occasionally, and when she was finally asleep, we'd put her back on her back (although she was definitely a belly sleeper, still is) and tuck her in.

I'd say by the "taking forever to settle" stage lasted about 2 weeks or so. We just made sure to keep the nighttime routine VERY consistent, so she would know bedtime is still bedtime. When she was pulling herself up (around 9 months), it only lasted a week or so. By the time she was 11 months, she went to sleep and stayed asleep.

I'd avoid the fragrance laden lotions previously mentioned to "calm" him, get an essential oil diffuser (available at most health food stores) and put a drop or two of lavender oil on it. It's the scent of lavender that helps babes settle, and putting it on boys has had some strage effects in rare cases (like breast development). Plus most mass-produced lotions have pthalates and parabens in them, two ingredients that the FDA will (hopefully soon) decide on regulating their use in children's products due to their hormone disruption tendencies.

We also, on occasion, used chamomile tea (diluted) on those days where she was overtired and cranky to help settle her down. Chamomile is amazingly calming, you can even find "calming" drops at most health food stores that have chamomile and mint since both also sooth the tummy. Teething tablets and Colic tablets by Hylands are also homeopathic and help calm. We really only used those when she was "out of sorts" and not feeling too well, or teething.

Good luck! These phases are so short in the grand scheme of things... pretty soon you'll be potty training!

Teething? perhaps some babies have a real hard time at it.

Try more exercise during the day. Get a chair that hangs from the ceiling and bounces, it really wears them out. Try eliminating one of his naps. Try getting one of those recordings that sound like the sea shore, etc.

And remember this phase will pass. W.

I'd like to just add that if it is teething, Hyland's makes a homeopathic disolvable in the mouth pill for babies. It has worked wonders on both my kids, usually within 10 minutes. Best wishes,

K.

He could be teething. My daughers both had trouble getting to sleep for a few days when they were cutting teeth. All I could to was hold them and rock them- that's all they wanted. Tylenol helped for a while. If he's teething if should go away soon.

Good luck!

Oh yes, we've been there. I too have a very active boy, and man, when he started in on gross motor skills, sleep went way low on his priority list. It sucks, but it does end. I also noticed that my son didn't want to read books or talk much during times when he was working out how to walk, run, do the big slide at the park, etc. The good news is that he totally came around again in terms of sleep, reading, and talking. Good luck.

K.,

It sounds like he is starting teething. Does he have any problems with runny poop? Or a diaper rash around his bum or mouth? There are enzymes released when they are teething and it can cause tummy aches, gas, runny stool, diaper rash, rash on the mouth, irritability, problems sleeping, etc. every child is different. What I used and my children liked the taste of it was teething tablets. You can get them at most grocery stores. The other thing I used, after they got over the runs and the rash were things like, really cold pickles, carrots, cucumbers just make sure to cut them large enough that you dont have to worry about choking. The cold numbs their gums and the pressure from chewing on them gets rid of the itchyness they are feeling in their mouth.

When I was having problems getting my kids to sleep I started incorparating bathtime and lotion into the bedtime routine. They have special lotions and soaps that are for getting them relaxed. Although this may have been from the skin to skin contact too. I also started reading to them , even at 7 months old, It seemed to relax them in their cribs to hear my voice. Lights down low, comfortable temperature, comfy clothes, etc. Just like you and me when we have problems sleeping.

I hope this helps you. :)
Stefany

Why are you trying to keep him from rolling onto his stomach? If he can roll well now, there's no reason to keep him on his back, and he may sleep most comfortably on his tummy. My 15 month old son sleeps only on his tummy since he was able to roll there, at about 5.5 months old. Pediatrician said it's fine, as long as they can roll both ways.