[Pooks*potters]

I wonder if he has very subtle tired signs and by the time you are able to see he is tired, he is overtired and struggles to sleep?

I also think you are going to need to pick a strategy, and stick to it. Chopping and changing approaches doesn't work. Babies need to learn sleep cues, so that they know sleep is coming and can wind down. It might take a few weeks of consistency to work. After sleep school for 4 nights, I was completely consistent with routine to the point of not going out, etc, for a few weeks and after that we were able to make it a little more flexible.

I suggest contacting a sleep school for a day stay to help you work out some approaches that will fit your family.

[mysonsmum]

Thanks, whatever i try i try & stick to it for 2 weeks but if after the first week it is only making matters worse i stop because it's not fair on him, if I find a strategy that helps i will definitely stick to it.
He definitely has subtle tired signs, once he's tired he gets cranky but by then it is too late, I've tried to put him down just before I think he's going to get cranky & that's when he'll lie down for a few minutes talking then get up & start walking around his cot before he starts to cry which is much better than just screaming

[RCTP]

Ah Asha9 I was just going to suggest the pram but I see your last post...

About 4/5 weeks ago I did a sleep and settle programme and my just turned 1 year old now mostly sleeps 10-11 hours at night BUT it came at the price of her not wanting to sleep in the cot during the day.
I was spending 45 mins settling her, resettling her just to follow the instructions to try the pram/sling after that long!

So I cut out the middle-man and we bring the dog around the block for 15 mins once (if it is later morn and she has a couple of hours sleep) or twice (if it is early like this morn at 9.30 and then again about 3pm). I have to lie the pram seat back and cover her over with the dark sun shade half way around to promote the nodding off.

Then when we get in she is wheeled into her dark room and left there (at the moment with a fan for white noise as it is warm).

I will keep trying the cot now and again for the day but it wasn't worth us both getting upset to end up in the pram anyway.

[divineM]

I would second the suggestion of sleep school or a day visit from a sleep nanny. Ours cost about $200-250 for a 3 hour visit and follow up calls/email until things were sorted. that way you are getting a solution tailored to your LO.

[PurpleNess]

Try sitting with him whilst he settles during the day - it will throw you out of whack for a week or so but it will work I'm sure.
DS self settled last night with no tears, screaming, standing up etc for the first time since Xmas & I didn't have to stay in the room. It's been 5 days since I started to sit wiht him & sing & ask him to sit down & go to sleep...these kids are smart!

Our bubs are the same age and at similar developmental stages that's why I suggest trying it...

[MissBB]

OP how have you survived? I go crazy if DD doesn't day sleep!!

Reading your original post I was gonna suggest the pram..

I'd suggest a great daily routine and stick to it. Wear him out but have a sort of wind down period before nap time (ie drawing or reading to him). Maybe see a sleep specialist.

Good luck I can only imagine how much you want those few hours back to yourself everyday! X

[trishalishous]

I agree he needs a sleep, but I personally settle for 'quiet time' and hope that he drifted off in that time.
We also use the car to get 2.8yo DD to sleep

[Mummy-2-1boy]

My 13 month old has really started protesting naps & done so on & off for the past 2 months or so. Mornin sleep is ok but afternoons she really fights. But she also doesn't cope with just one. I have always let ee self settle & she usually cries for all of one minute when I leave the room, then chatters & yells out until she goes to sleep. Mornings usually take half hr & afternoons sometimes she doesn't sleep but I always leave her for at least an hr & longer if she's not upset - usually she just talks on & off then lies quietly, then yells out, then chatters but doesn't generally get to distraught about it & usually goes to sleep eventually - more often than not 5 mins before I have decided I will get her up. I used to go in & cuddle her if age was t asleep after half hr but there came a time when that only upset her & she wasn't crying so really no reason for me to upset her. I also have a very active 3 yr old who has a 'rest' watching a movie at the same time so it is also much needed down time for me where I can get some things done - I work from home so it's a must that I actually have some time to do it. As previous posts say, even if she doesn't sleep, the rest benefits her as I get up a much happier girl than I put down...

You could even just try putting bub in the cot with some quiet toys and gradually stretching out the time you leave him in there by a couple of minutes a day. I wouldn't go straight to demanding he self settle after such a long time but I would develop a nice routine that includes some of your night bedtime things to indicate sleep, then pop him in bed & return to him to lie him down & reassure him - yes he may scream for the first little while but I do think he would at least get used to being left alone for a few mins at a time- I would hope! They can be so determined & strong willed from such a young age, and I don't think it's at all about showing them whose boss - I just think they need a mental break from all the interaction & if nothing else, some quiet time would help him unwind. Just don't go in with an expectation that he will sleep - Just aim for some quiet & perhaps he might surprise you on occasion with a sleep