Help! Baby won't go to sleep on his own anymore?

Question

My baby is almost 8 months old and won't lay down to go to sleep in his cot anymore. He used to do it every nap, but now he has learnt to sit up on his own and can stand up using his cot bars he has no interest in sleeping. I try laying him down and patting him but he is constantly fighting me. I try to do it for as long as possible before I lift him out and cuddle him to sleep. The last time I was patting him for over 20 minutes and he just screamed! He is teething at the moment so I am hoping that this just a temporary thing, but does anyone have any good tips before I go insane!!!!!

I have tried leaving him in his cot but he just stands at the bars screaming! Sometimes he is so tired he can't stand properly and falls and hurts himself!

Answer 1

Try a sleep clinic - it worked for me. It involves leaving the baby crying and putting the baby back to bed without cuddles or emotion. It took 3 days and was sometimes really stressful but worked. Our daughter has never had a problem sleeping since and she is 10.

Answer 2

Yes, kids are more clingy when teething, all they need is reassurance and comfort. Well, what seemed to work with my 3 kids, is giving a real warm bath (use a menthol/eucalyptus baby bath) just before the time you have set as bedtime. I make the last meal just before bath time, & waiting with the dose of calpol in the room. I try keeping the room at a comfortable temp & the lights low. I would usually prepare the clothing on the bed, so that dressing up does not take too long. Once done with dressing up and the meal, then on i do the dance with the baby on my shoulders, and rubbing/patting his back. Once i get a good burp and he is calm before I i know it he is asleep. Usually, I let anyone else in the house know that its the baby's bedtime, so not to slam doors etc. Well I hope this works for you.

Answer 3

I think this is pretty normal. My daughter did the same thing at around the same time plus all my friends with kids say they went through the same thing. It's almost as if they stand up without wanting to. They can be really tired but still end up standing up! I found that the controlled crying thing worked but you have to really tough it out. it takes a few days to crack it but when you do it's worth it. Start by leaving him for 5 mins, go in lay him down and sooth him but don't talk to him, then leave it 10 mins, repeat leaving the time by 5 mins longer each time. Basically they learn they don'r get anything for being awake. It is horrible but it works. Good Luck, you have my sympathy but if it's any reassurance my daughter now goes to bed every night and naps during the day with no hassle and she is 16 months.

Answer 4

I'm going through the same thing with my nearly 9 month old... sorry to tell you she's been doing it since she started to stand on her own at 7 1/2 months and shows no sign of stopping yet. No one thing seems to work, but several things work occasionally: getting her up to play and just accepting she will miss the nap entirely; ignoring her completely and sitting with music on somewhere else so I can't hear her (and nature eventually taking it's course); giving her some water and leaving her to play with the bottle (sheet gets wet, but works for some reason); leaving a light on in a corner with a lullaby CD. The trick is picking the right one and sticking to it!

Answer 5

My baby is 21! and my other baby is 23! they were good baby's and are gorgeous now too, but I found a nice warm bath, just gentle not over doing the playing, warm milk softened lighting and relaxed atmosphere. May sound like a bit of a palaver, but do you want a peaceful night.

Have you ever watch baby whisperer, pick up put down, it might take a while, but I've tried it and it works. No talking, no rocking just pick up, quick cuddle lay back down, do this as often as needed he will learn. Good luck.

Answer 6

I remember this so well! try putting the cot matress down to its lowest level and do you have a bumper around the cot? All babies will go to sleep if they are tired you need a routine for him. Dont pick him up go to him every 5 mins if he cries it takes about a week to do but it does work and it does pull at your heart strings trust me on this. I have 3 young children i had to do this with them all. Good luck

Answer 7

Since he is teething get him some Baby Orajel and rub on his gums. THen until he stops teething the best thing you can do is cuddle with him and let him throw his fit. Right now hes too young to know any better and hes in pain. Just give it a little while and it should get better.

Answer 8

well i think what is going on with ur baby seems to be normal.he is teething and in teething wakefullness is also there.i have a 6 months old and now atlast he has 2 teeth but from the past 3 months he is getting up again and again n refuses to sleep in cot.i make him sleep with me still he does same.teething can make family miserable.
u can use ur finger tips to massage baby's gums.this would help him for a while.keep on doing this maky times a day.

Answer 9

The teething can be soothed by rubbing some brandy on his gums, just a little. As for the not sleeping he/she has learnt that you come and give attention when they cry, like the others just leave him/her and they will soon nod off. Gonna take patience and willpower though.

Answer 10

i find it hard leaving my 6 month old to cry as he's getting his first two teeth through so i find that after a few minutes of crying out if i give him a cuddle and a breastfeed then he usually goes off after 5 minutes. but sometimes he just goes straight to sleep especially if i leave him in his door bouncer or his walker until he's really tired.

I know exactly what you are going through though luckily Bradley's not quite as mobile as your boy. most of the time i just have to grit my teeth and listen to him crying and i HATE it.

Good luck