2.5 Month Old Not Napping During Day; Is Fussy and Looks Tired

Hi A.,

It makes me wonder if there is some other health problem going on. How is his breathing? Is he congested - maybe it wakes him up. You could try raising the head of his crib - raise the mattress by putting a blanket or something under the mattress at the head end. I noticed someone mentioned he's constipated, which I was going to ask. I'm wondering if he's being fed formula instead of breast milk. If you're able to breast feed him, I'd suggest it. If not, try a different formula if you can. He could be intolerant of a formula and be congested due to it.

Good luck,

Try swaddling or letting him sleep in his car seat! Establish a routine, order is important, not necessarily time of day (ie eat, play, change diaper, sleep NOT 10:15 eat, 10:45 play...)Try white noise, hair dryer, vacuum etc. to soothe. When my babies got fussy in the car and I couldn't address their need imediately I would turn the radio on AM in between stations and turn it up 9times out of 10 they stopped crying! Enjoy! Good Luck

I had the same problem with my son. Try reading the No Cry Sleep Solution by Elizabeth Pantley. Within a couple of weeks my son was taking excellent naps. It worked wonders for us and the book was insightful on sleep patterns of babies!!! Best of luck with your little one!!!

I could tell you the numerous things I have done but it would take forever (my little munchkin is quite a handful, but she has taught me so much!)Swaddling, wearing your baby in a sling, white noise, homeopathic colic tablets and gripe water for bellyache, nursing to sleep are some good ones that worked well.
I strongly suggest getting The Baby Book by Dr. Sears, and check out askdrsears.com. Dr. Sears and his wife Martha(an RN)(and now their two sons are in practice with them and also write books) are highly accomplished and respected pediatricians that have eight children. They are an unbelievable resource. I like them because they base their parenting style mostly on years of trial and error with eight children, they are not dogmatic about their approach and always tell you to trust your own instincts with your baby. I have read MANY different books with many different styles, and this is the one I always go back to. They have many books that are amazing(nighttime parenting is also great), but the Baby Book is indispensable for any new mom.

He's probably not napping because of the constipated like you mentioned in the last request fix that and he will probably be able to sleep better.

A.:

I read lots of good advice on soothing tips etc from others so I will not repeat. Here would be my advice to rule out first:
1) talk with your pediatrican to see if the switch to formula could be the cause or if he has reflux.

2 month olds should be still sleeping for a good chunk of the day-being awake all day is unusual.

Both my kids had reflux that presented around 2 months-they were awake fussy and did not nap unless they were being held. I also used a swing-to give my arms a break:)

Good luck!

You may want to purchase a sling and carry your baby in it. Babies take great naps when they feel secure in their moms loving arms. This way your baby can nap and you will still have your hands free to get some things done.
It is very important to use the sling correctly or else it will feel uncomfortable to wear. Also, if your baby does not take to it right away, put him in it when he is very sleepy or already asleep and start moving right away. He will begin to associate the sling as a happy, restfull place to be.
I am a big fan of the Maya Wrap ring sling. It ultra adjustable, both my husband and I can use it, there are several positions to hold the baby in, and it can be used straight through toddlerhood. If you get a ring sling be sure that the ring is at the height of your armpit and the the fabric spreads over your shoulder.
Good luck.

This is probably connected to the soy formula! Switch to another formula, or better yet, go back to breast feeding.

hi A.,
me C. again.it sounds like he WANTS to sleep but cant for some reason and hiss fussiness is his way of telling you something is bothering him (maybe the constipation?).make sure he is fed, changed, and feeling good before you try to put him down for a nap. also at that age, he is still sleeping randomly and still trying to create his prefered napping schedule for himself. he may nap for hours one day and skip nap the next day. try to make a routine with him to signal it is time for a nap, and let him decide his sleep schedule. be consistent.then put the schedule and routine together consistently and he should go to sleep just fine.the actual routine should be whatever works for you and the baby and whatever you are comfortable with. such as rocking him to sleep while singing lullabies, or putting him in his bed and letting him put himself to sleep with white noise sounds. whatever you do, make sure it is done ONLY when its time for him to go to sleep and make sure it is done consistently (in the same order each time if you do a combonation of things)EVERY time you put him to sleep.then he will learn that sleeping is next in the sequence of events. babies are less fussy and more cooperative when they know whats happening next.

C.

Hi A.,

My children are grown but my oldest, a daughter, never seemed to nap except when riding in the car. A pacifier did help a little. Overstimulation can play a role in all of it too. They basically get overtired and can't relax. Just taking in the sights and sounds of the world around them must be exhausting! Things like the stereo or tv can also be sensory overload.

Avoid too much rocking, swinging or any of the other things we all naturally do in an attempt to get them to nap. Sometimes letting a baby cry himself to sleep works(my son would cry for about 10 min.and fall asleep on his own without the aid of a pacifier.) Not easy to do I admit, but the baby learns how to calm down on his/her own.

Good luck, I know how exhausting it is!
S. W.