4 Month Old Won't Nap and Stopped Sleeping Through the Night

I am having the same exact problem with my 4 month old! From about 6 weeks until 3.5 months he would wake only once b/w 7 pm and 7 am to eat. He would nap frequently throughout the day and stayed asleep wherever we put him. Now he is back to waking up every 2 hours at night and will not nap at all!!!! I've tried it all. The bjorn, the swing, car rides, and just letting him lay in the crib. None of it works. I have a 4 year old to take care of so I am not sure how much longer I can deal with this. My older son not that great of a sleeper until about 3 years old but I don't remember him being this bad. How can a month old make it from 7 am until 7 pm without napping!?!?! I am sorry I don't have advice for you but wanted you to know you are not alone. I am anxious to see what responses you get. BTW- I think I can handle waking up at night since to me that is expected of babies but the no nap thing is what is really making me crazy. I cannot dedicate my whole day to trying to get him to nap.

This is totally normal. What most people/books don't tell you is that it's not normal for babies to always and forever sleep thru the night! Heck, I've got a 2 year old that doesn't "sleep thru the night" but her twin sister does! A four month old really does need to eat during the night since their tummies are so little and food goes thru them pretty quickly. Just remember, whatever your baby does is totally normal for your baby, don't sweat the "sleeping thru the night" stuff, 'cause it's always changing. There will forever be reasons they won't sleep, teething, ear infections, etc., etc. As he gets bigger he'll get used to sleeping in his crib. Babies this age typically need to nap every couple of hours so keep trying to put him down for naps every couple hours as he seems fussy/sleepy.

As for the wanting to be held all the time during the day, resist the urge to pick him up if he gets fussy when you set him down. Try letting him fuss for awhile, give him something interesting to look at, and he'll get used to not being held all the time. With my first born (son) he was exactly the same way you're describing your son, wanted to be held all the time. I think I spoiled him a little by not making him sit by himself once in awhile as I tended to other things. He's 4 now and sleeps thru the night every night so it does get better :-) !! Sleep deprivation is part of being a mom, and he will get better at sleeping eventually. Remember, most babies are like this, it's totally normal and "this too shall pass"!!

I don't know about opium, but some tranquilizer darts would be GREAT! lol!... kidding...

Sounds like he is probably teething (is he drooling alot? He probably can't relax enough to sleep well since he's uncomfortable) AND going through a little growth spurt. Me personally, I would make him cry it out a little and try to see if he will learn to self-sooth himself. It's impossible for you to be at his beck and call all hours of the day, you'll run yourself down, and then you're no good to yourself or your son. Try starting all over again with trying to create and maintain a schedule... he may be a bit mixed up. Also, if you're not already and his tongue-thrust reflex is gone (and he can hold his head steady really well), start him on some solids if it's okay with your pediatrician. Having a full, happy tummy can help ease the discomfort of teething, and something new may be enough to entertain him so you're not constantly having to do the entertaining yourself. Keep your chin up honey, it will get better! Good luck!

I had the same problem too. Baby wouldn't nap unless in the stroller and then would wake as soon as I stopped.
I HIGHLY recommend this book: Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child -Dr. Weissbluth
You just have to read the parts that apply to you but only after I read this did I understand that sleep begets sleep and that I needed to force the issue of naps a bit more with her.
Also-I noticed when I moved her to her crib that it was so big compared to her cosleeper. So I build a pillow and blanket wall in her crib so she felt closed in & not in this huge space all along. Even now- she rolls into a corner... try that? Car Seat naps also were HUGE at that age. She almost couldn't sleep unless she was in that car seat.
Lastly, I wanted to add - I think its normal for a 4.5 month old to want some attention at night. Things will always shift the first year. What was true when she was 3 months is not true now that shes 7 months.
Are you breast feednig? You might consider co-sleeping and feeding while you sleep. Saved my life!

It sounds kind of like separation anxiety. Is there a way you can set up a pack n play for naps? Or is there a way you can add an extra monitor in his room, but reverse it...so that he hears YOU...maybe the quiet and darkness of his room is just too isolating and scary?

Also, I think it's common for 4 mo olds to start fighting naps. They are more able to play and more aware of their surroundings. I can tell you more about what worked for me...just msg me.

I watched my son for a whole day...I let him LEAD, no clock watching or fighting putting him down. After a couple of days I noticed HE would sleep better and just made his own routine. I fed my 4 mo old right when he wakes...that eliminates trying to decode his cries. After he's fed, I change him, then he plays. Then I wait and watch. I wait for eye rubbing, yawns, etc. As soon as he does this, I swaddle him, rock hm until he's almost asleep, then put him in his crib still slightly AWAKE. This has trained him that sleep is desired, his crib is a GOOD happy place. He isn't fighting sleep much anymore after just a few days of doing this. HE has started his own schedule and is sleeping much better at nights too.

I'm happy to talk with you more. Babies can be so challenging!

Sara