How to Get a Tired Baby to Sleep

This may sound crazy (and forgive me if you've already tried) but have you considered just laying her down in her bassinet/crib? My 1 year old to this day doesn't really like to be cuddled to sleep. She's a cuddler/hugger all day long, but when it's nap/bed time, she just wants me to lay her down in that crib and leave her alone. From day one, she just fell asleep on her own in her bassinet. Completely bizarre, I know... but that's her. Admittedly, mine DOES take a pacifier...

The trick is to catch her before she's too tired....its an art form haha. I think at that age she should be ready for a nap after being awake 1 1/2 hr's, length of nap doesn't matter. At 10 months, mine is ready for a nap after 2 1/2 hrs.....which is usually dinner time, so sometimes she gets over tired and doesn't want to sleep. I read this book "Healthy sleep habits, happy child". I lay her down and she goes right to sleep, unless she's overtired. I still pull the book out every now and them. Good Luck.

Try anything AND everything.
It's a "trying" game.
You have to try every suggestion (w/in reason that is good & healthy) &
every idea.
Is she hungry?
Is she cold?
Too warm or hot?
Try swaddling again but if she doesn't like it, ditch it.
Try a swing.
Walking her in a stroller around the house.
Be sure to burp her after eating.
Don't take docs suggestions in this case but rule out any medical probs.
Sometimes I tried diff things to get the baby to sleep: swing, stroller, car
ride. It just happened to be whatever worked for little one.
Make sure she's not hungry or wet.
Is she breastfed? Try to see if she's getting enough.
Is she forumla fed? Still hungry? Ensure she does not have gas.
Hang in there as you will try everything under the sun, find YOUR solution that works for YOU and it will pass.

Will she sleep on her tummy, we were able to lay our child on her tummy, really early, because she could
Fit and turn her head so early.

She slept like a rock...Once we placed her that way.

Could she be uncomfotable-ears, reflux? Have you read The Happiest Baby on the Block? There's some good suggestions in there. Do you have a good swing you could try? We had really good luck with naps in the swing during the early months. I would try the swaddle again. We used the miracle blanket an it really was a miracle! Honestly I might also find a new doctor. Any doctor who suggests that you should just let an inconsolable 2-month-old just cry is not to be trusted in my opinion. Good luck!

I agree with what Laurie said - sometimes a baby just cannot settle on their back or side - one of mine was like that.

I also agree with your doctor. If she doesn't like you touching her anyway, just let her wear herself out. She is trying desperately to try to self-soothe. Let her.

Dawn

Dr. Harvey Karp and the 5 S's are amazing: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iu0TtxO-ocY

LIEFSAVER!!

I had the same experience, my daughter logged 6 hours total on some days, yikes! I read the books recommended and they are helpful. It is true, they get overtired and hormones in the body prohibit them from falling asleep...it must be quite uncomfortable for them. My daughter also would refuse the pacifier until 4 months of age, then it was another 6 months before she could keep it in on her own. It may be that she is so overstimulated that her cries are being confused with dislikes. I would try the 5 s's as the happiest baby on the block suggests and just persevere. My daughter would fight the swaddle, but ultimately it was what she needed, combined with other aids (breastfeeding, etc) and when she calmed she slept much better swaddled. This time will pass so quickly and a year from now you will have forgotten the headaches, so just enjoy what you can of your little baby :-) good luck!

Motion. Hold her, walk and bounce at the same time, if she is crying. Pat her back and hum a lullaby or song. Some babies prefer to be up right with motion. Remember, her energy is your energy, so try to be calm. If she is calm and not crying, bathe her and get her into a good, calm, mood. Dry her in the center of your bed, cream her body up with lavendar cream by Johnson and Johnson. Have her bottle ready and settle down with her. Make it pleasant and be consistant. Try placing her on your thighs face down, tummy on your thighs and swing your legs from side to side or gently bounce her in this position. She may be a baby who doesn't like motion in the horizontal position. Try a binky with a dab of her favorite baby food fruit(if you are already introducing baby food Stage 1). Good Luck, I know it's hard, but there's no right answer, you have to keep trying until something works at this stage.