Why Does A Baby I Watch Wake Up Crying Every Few Minutes?

[Flexmama]

I have a 4 month old baby that I watch. I also have his older brother, whose a big help to comfort him etc.
The problem I am having is during his naps. Every 5-10 minutes he wakes up and screams for a good 3-5 minutes then like a snap of a finger he stops and is asleep again. Then another 5-10 minutes he does it again. This cycle repeats the entire nap time he's "napping". He never opens his eyes when he's fussing either. I try rubbing his head or patting him it doesn't soothe him at all. It's like he has to have the 5 minute fit no matter what then instantly stops and is asleep again. A few times ill get him up thinking he is done sleeping but not 15 minutes later he's rubbing his eyes and about to fall asleep again.

Any idea what may be causing this or what to do to make it better?

[cheerfuldom]

Were his parents napping him in a swing or vibrating bouncer or even holding him during naps? My guess is that he is used to motion while sleeping and has a hard time settling without it.

[Cradle2crayons]

I have a 4 month old baby that I watch. I also have his older brother, whose a big help to comfort him etc.
The problem I am having is during his naps. Every 5-10 minutes he wakes up and screams for a good 3-5 minutes then like a snap of a finger he stops and is asleep again. Then another 5-10 minutes he does it again. This cycle repeats the entire nap time he's "napping". He never opens his eyes when he's fussing either. I try rubbing his head or patting him it doesn't soothe him at all. It's like he has to have the 5 minute fit no matter what then instantly stops and is asleep again. A few times ill get him up thinking he is done sleeping but not 15 minutes later he's rubbing his eyes and about to fall asleep again.

Any idea what may be causing this or what to do to make it better?

How long have you had him

Has he done this since the beginning

And does he do is at home?

[Flexmama]

I've had him for 3 weeks. He has done this since the beginning.
His mom just says "he's tricky to get to sleep" but didn't specify tricky how. I do know he sleeps in the same sleeper as he does at my house (literally the same, she brings with her for him).
He is nursed at home so I'm not sure if that has anything to do with it?

[Leigh]

I've had him for 3 weeks. He has done this since the beginning.
His mom just says "he's tricky to get to sleep" but didn't specify tricky how. I do know he sleeps in the same sleeper as he does at my house (literally the same, she brings with her for him).
He is nursed at home so I'm not sure if that has anything to do with it?

I would ask Mom to describe her "trick" for putting him to sleep for naps, and give it a try if it would make your life easier.

[Cradle2crayons]

I've had him for 3 weeks. He has done this since the beginning.
His mom just says "he's tricky to get to sleep" but didn't specify tricky how. I do know he sleeps in the same sleeper as he does at my house (literally the same, she brings with her for him).
He is nursed at home so I'm not sure if that has anything to do with it?

I would ask mom to bring one of her t shirts. She needs to wash it and wear it for a few hours... And it needs to be one that is left there and can be modified if need be... I've done that before and it works wonders for breast fed babies who are used to being fed close to moms smell.

[Leigh]

I would ask mom to bring one of her t shirts. She needs to wash it and wear it for a few hours... And it needs to be one that is left there and can be modified if need be... I've done that before and it works wonders for breast fed babies who are used to being fed close to moms smell.

GREAT idea!

[cheerfuldom]

are you sure the "trick" is not letting him asleep attached to the breast? I personally am not opposed to that since all of my kids did it at one time or another but it does not make for an easy transition to daycare!

[Cradle2crayons]

GREAT idea!

Yep, it works wonders. One infant I had, all I had to do was wear the moms shirt while feeding. When I got done with the last burp, I held him close to my chest, patted him about two minutes, out like a light.

With another, I had to get creative. I took moms t shirt and made a burp cloth and a bib out of it. And with another, older one I cut a strip off the t shirt and sewed it on an outfit he wore for nap time.

With all of these ideas, every now and then, over a weekend, I'd have mom out the pieces in a lingerie wash bag, wash them, and then get her scent back on them and send them back.

I've noticed this works even if they aren't breast fed, but for e breast fed ones, it works GREAT.