can someone help me with our bedtime routine?

[isil]

So, Alasdair used to go down like a DREAM at 6pm. Our routine went like this:
5pm - dinner
5.30pm - bath
5.50pm - bottle
6pm - bed

Now this is what happens:
5pm - dinner (which he cries through)
5.30pm - bath (and struggle to get him dressed as he starts crying as soon as I get him out of the bath)
6pm - bottle
6.10pm - bed
6.15pm - crawling around cot
6.25pm - standing up in cot
6.30pm - crying
followed by more crying and me going in occasionally to put his dummy in or pat his back and just try and calm him down. But I calm him down and then he starts crying again!
7pm - finally asleep

I feel like he's really tired but then after his bottle he doesn't seem it until 7pm.

Should I change something? Like give him tea a bit earlier and then his bottle when he wants it and then something for supper? I have no idea...it always worked so well up until the last couple of weeks!

 

[Tinylo]

Could he be overtired?? Perhaps needs a nap/longer nap in the afternoon or a powernap before tea. It might mean going to bed at 7pm rather than 6pm but he might not be so unsettled.

I know how disheartening it can be, to be in a really good routine that completely goes out the window for no apparent reason.

Fingers crossed it's just a phase and things get better for you soon.

 

[sam's mum]

I was going to say the same...if Sam doesn't have a proper sleep during the day he's so grumpy by the time we get to dinner, and for the rest of the evening...and I think it's harder to get him to sleep when he gets overtired. How much does he sleep during the day? x

 

[isil]

he has a nap at around 3.30/4 which he always wakes up crying from. Some days where he naps more in the day (like 1 hr in the morning and 2 in the afternoon (1-3ish) he seems to do better but it means I'm stuck in the house all day if I do want him to nap that long. Thanks for your ideas

 

[mommyof3co]

I think I'd probably just move his nap so he sleeps a bit later and then put him in bed at 7pm...6 seems really early maybe he's just not ready for bed now that he's getting a bit older

 

[sam's mum]

That's my problem at the moment as well - since I stopped breastfeeding Sam's started having a 2 hour nap in the afternoon from about 1-3, or a bit later, and it's really hard to go anywhere...if we're out for long enough he'll sleep in the buggy though - and it definitely makes him happier in the evenings x

 

[isil]

he's always done 6pm-6am and we have friends who's babies do 7pm-7am so I thought that was just how his body clock worked iykwim. I know I need to do something with him which means he's up but not crying until 7pm now but I guess I just need to try a few things and maybe have a few solid days at home with him (as lonely as it is...)

 

[sam's mum]

Meant to say as well that Sam doesn't go to bed until 8/8.30, so after waking up at 3 he's really only ready to sleep again by then - maybe if he does have a nap later you could put him to bed a bit later (might give you a longer sleep in the mornings too ) x

 

[isil]

maybe if he does have a nap later you could put him to bed a bit later (might give you a longer sleep in the mornings too ) x

let's hope so! 6am wake up calls are nooo fun!

 

[marley2580]

I would suggest starting to introduce a book as well. It gives them that little bit of extra time to wind down, and it's a good habit to start.

 

[lillysmum]

lilly at that age had a morning nap of 15/30 mins, lunch nap of 2hrs and sometimes had an afternoon nap the same length as the morning one, the morning and afternoon naps eventually got phased out and she now just has 1 lunchtime nap....

i think this helped her not get too tired and she always fed well as a result which had a knock on effect on her going to bed well, don't get me wrong she will play up sometimes but thats just lilly

 

[vicky]

Have you thought about giving him a bath before his tea???

 

[jenstar]

My boy started this carry on before his morning nap a few weeks ago and what we do now is to keep him entertained a while longer before putting him in his cot. About 20 mins of playing with him (he wouldn't sit and watch me do housework or anything at this point, you have to be actually down on the floor with him) then when he gets tired again he goes in his cot and straight to sleep.

 

[AppleBlossom]

Not read the other replies but I would say he is probably overtired. Grace is the same sometimes. As long as she is full and dry she only cries for attention so I leave her too it and it works. I find she is better when she has had longer naps in the day

 

[sam's mum]

maybe if he does have a nap later you could put him to bed a bit later (might give you a longer sleep in the mornings too ) x

let's hope so! 6am wake up calls are nooo fun!

I couldn't cope with that! I'm not a morning person, and I'm not sure that'll ever change ...think we got lucky with Sam as he likes his sleep too and wakes up when our alarm goes off in the morning, but I think I'm in for a shock when this next baby arrives x