What is the quickest most humane way to teach a child to self-soothe?

Question

My son is 7 months old. I have a daughter who is 5 years old. And on top of that I work a full time job (not by choice). I'm exhuasted and thus very crabby. I'm afraid that the situation is having a negative effect on my daughter. I've talked to her about it and I try to control myself but perfection is out of reach.
I need my son to stop getting my up at night so I can get some sleep so everyone around me can be happy.

I have a bedtime routine and a consistant bedtime. I just don't want to have to implement "cry it out". I did it to my daughter at my husband's instance and I hated every moment. I don't want to go there again.

Please, Please Help me. How do I teach my son this lesson in a humane fashion for everyone's sake.

I've tried co-sleeping. my husband is a roller and hearing impaired. So when I try co-sleeping I lie awake in fear that either I will roll or my husband will roll on top of him. My son's too heavy for a basinette and our bed is too small for a dresser drawer or snuggle nest.

Answer 1

Before you head to bed bath your baby using a Lavander and Chamomile soap followed by the same kind of lotion, then feed your baby any 8oz bottle, cuddle him til he's asleep. This lotion works for my 4 month old son and he sleeps 9 hours everynight.
Also you can put alittle rice cereal in his bottle to help keep him fuller longer. Good Luck, I hope this works for you!

Answer 2

I second the co-sleeping suggestion!
Your baby is waking because he needs you,and he isn't getting enough of you during the day so he's making up for it at night. I know and totally understand how tired you are. It's really challenging especially when you're working full-time.
I'm glad you're avoiding the cry-it-out method, they are barbaric and you end up with a child who later on has worse sleep issues then before!

**There's a book out there called "The No-Cry Sleep Solution", go to your local public library and get yourself a copy.
"Nighttime Parenting" by Dr.Sears is also really good. Neither advocates crying it to sleep. The Ferber is MEAN and BARBARIC, don't even bother!!.....equally horrible are Babywise, Babywhisperer, Dr.Spock etc. Stay away from those ones.
Just try it for awhile, bringing your son into your bed and see if you all get more sleep....

Answer 3

I think self soothing is silly. You are there to provide comfort, your son needs you. I work full time as well and have a 13 and 10 year old in addition to a 20 month old that does not sleep through the night. Our answer has been co-sleeping. When the little guy wakes up during the night he comes into bed with us. After that he typically stays alseep the rest of the night and we all get our sleep

Answer 4

I worked full time with both of my kids. I was in the USAF so I had no excuse or was allowed to have a baby as an excuse for tiredness. My youngest didn't sleep through the night until he was almost 2. My husband was on nights and he didn't help on weekends so it was up to me. Coffee was my friend for the 2 yrs. Check his growing spurt chart, nothing you can do about that. See if family can help you out even for 1 night out of the week. Unfortunately motherhood has no "off" time. Good luck!!!

Answer 5

I did this with my son and hes now 21 mths and practically independent. I tried the whole let him cry it out too and it broke my heart. So when you put him to bed at night tell him night night mommy and daddy love you and just sit down for a little while next to his bed or the door so he can see you and when he starts falling asleep walk out of the room, It will take about a week to adjust. If he starts crying just peek in and tell him its ok mommys still here. If he hurts himself dont panik because he will too, just tell him hes ok or clap or something so he doesnt freek out. Also let him help with stuff around the house that will let him feel like a big boy and make things easier on you.

Answer 6

Your son IS still only a baby and thats what babys do. You are looking at this "getting up in the night" as a problem and that everything will be absolutely perfect when this problem is sorted. Why is he waking up? Can your hubby not get up twice a week? You are doing a great job juggling full-time work with a baby and a 5yr old...But when your crabby you have to remind yourself """you simply are not super-women""" I got my son a teddy and when he was hurt or teething or frightened this teddy would appear and be there right next to him and now hes 10 yrs old i still catch him looking for his teddy.Security for babies is very important.I wish you luck in your quest...but do try to remember to enjoy your kids or they wont call you mum ..they will call you Mrs crabby. x

Answer 7

Self-soothing is learned but usually you can't teach it. BUT go read some Dr Sears
http://askdrsears.com/html/7/T070100.asp

At 7 month you can try some of the foods for sleep:
http://askdrsears.com/html/7/T070800.asp

This some tips for cutting back on night nursing (probably works for formula too):
http://askdrsears.com/html/7/T070800.asp

I don't really have anything that has worked for me, but then again it doesn't really bother me yet so I haven't put a lot of effort in.

Answer 8

you can try the ferber method it is it basically you leave the child for 1 min then go comfort the child then leave the child for longer times each and then the child will learn to comfort them selves

Answer 9

Take one side off of his crib and wedge it between your bed and the wall. Then you still get the benefits of cosleeping, but he has his own space.