Sunday Sleep Dilemma

Q: What is up with evening fussiness? I feel like my baby gets good naps all day and then is tired but won't go to sleep in the evening?

A: This is a part of how the newborn stage goes for many babies. Continue with making sure they get naps after only being awake every 1-2 hours (Note: If you think they are tired after 30 minutes or 45 minutes by all means put them down- YOU WANT TO AVOID HAVING THE BABY GET OVERTIRED). And continue making sure they eat often enough (I have always done every 3 hours) and get a full feeding, so they are always well fed. Fussiness usually peaks around 6 weeks of age and then begins to decrease.

Ideas for dealing with the fussiness:

• Have them take a nap in a sling, swing, or such
  
• Use a paci (and the sling)
• Go on a walk or go out and run errands- sleep-on-the-go idea- if they aren't going to sleep at home go out
• Swaddle!
• Have an evening routine- bath, cuddles, feeding...
• Set a time for their last feeding (I always did 10pm) and then put them down for the night

*Marc Weisbluth, author of Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child states that night sleep begins to develop around six weeks of age because of the following (make sure you are allowing this to happen): darkness serves as a time cue, slowing down activities and becoming quieter at night, we behave as if we expect the baby to sleep.