4 1/2 month old baby boy?

Well, did you consider him teething. They usually start teething around this age. Or, does he have gas? A temperature? A diaper rash?

My lil girl, who is also 4 1/2 months old just started this up again, she is teething pretty badly, some days are better than others. I think that you probably need to start right now trying to get him out of the habit of wanting to be held while sleeping. Those can turn into some pretty tough habits to break in the future. When you lay him down and he wakes up, then just rock him back to sleep and lay him down again. It will be tough but you have to show him that bed is the place for sleepy time, not mommy's arms. My daughter gets like that when she doesn't feel good. She just wants to cuddle alot and doesn't want me out of her sight.

It is kind of a tough love type situation. I have learned when my baby is crying just to be crying or crying b/c she really really needs something. You kinda have to show them that they can't be held nonstop, that mommy has lots of other things to tend too.

But, my baby is spoiled and gets held alot still, so I still haven't quite broken that habit yet. But! it is getting better.

You kinda have to just follow your own road on this though. Ofcourse you can take other's advice, but at the end of the day, you know your baby best. Just know that you are doing a great job and things will get better.

well there are a few things you can try you can get some sort of music player for the crib many can be set to sound so that when the baby crys it will turn on play and teach the baby to sooth him self back to sleep, or you can try laying him down and letting him cry a little while to release energy and frustration no longer then a few min then pick him up comfort but dont say anything for 1 min and place him back in the bed repeating until he falls asleep that's what we had to do with my son and he nows lays down and goes right to sleep for naps and bed time, its hard but what ever you decide to try stick with it for a week to be sure if it will work many babies will just fall into a routine on there own.

Did your doctor check his ears? Two of my kids stopped sleeping at about the same age because of low grade ear infections. These didn't cause any symptoms other than discomfort when they'd lie down. Shortly after they fell asleep they would wake up crying in pain. And they would sleep while being held. When we finally had tubes put in our daughter's ears at 7 months, it was like getting a different kid.

Just a thought - ear infections are so common that it's always worth checking when they suddenly stop sleeping.

With my son, I found that after we had a certain schedule, he would start to fight the schedule. So I would constantly have to change or modify our schedule. Try moving his naptime around, and try more active play with him, to tire him out. Or maybe he is to a point where he doesn't need so many naps during the day.

Another possibility is that he is teething, and is more uncomfortable.

Hopefully it is just a stage, but keep moving your schedule around, and see what works for him, and you.

Have you tried swaddling him? My son had to be swaddled pretty tight (until about 6 months) or he wouldn't nap either. It makes him feel as though he's being held. Hang in there. Babies go through their phases and this too will pass. I know how trying it can be. Makes you want to pull your hair out! (((hugs)))

My son sometimes knows when its sleeptime, he likes to stay up with his parents.

I never adopted a schedule, i just feed on demand and it works for me.

maybe his cot his too big for him? try letting him sleep in his pram, thats where my son sleeps of a day and he sleeps fine.

or buy a snuggle bed and put it in his cot, or in the lounge with you and let him nap in that.

It sounds to me like he is spoiled! lol I know it sounds mean but you are going to have to let him cry it out . As long as you know he is ok . He has been changed, He is not hungry, and he is not in pain or sick. Just let him cry it out. It will get better i promise. Babys are so funny But us parents can really spoil them it is easy to do believe me. All of the best of luck! and happy holidays.

I would suggest that you stick to only formula until 6 months. Most babies aren't physically ready for solids until then. It sould be causing him stomach issues.

Here are a few sites...

BTW...your baby is NOT spoiled! Also, cry it out has very negative effects. Google it!