I've had a difficult time transitioning my 5 mo. old to sleep in her crib. The only way she'll go to sleep is if we rock her. We'd like her to get used to soothing herself to sleep, but it's been a terrible battle. Even if she's exhausted, she won't fall asleep on her own. Any suggestions??? Am I wasting my time trying to get her to do this on her own at this age?
2006-12-27 03:16:53 · 7 answers · asked by Nikki 1 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
No, you are not wasting your time, in fact doing it now may be the best thing you can do for yourself AND your baby. The sooner she learns to self-soothe the sooner you both can get the rest you need. I would start by giving her a transitional object (lovie) to help her feel secure. You can do this by giving it to her while you rock her for a few days, then it's time to start the process of weaning from the rocker.
Day one rock her with the lovie for 5 min. then lay her down and even if she is still awake. If she cries, check on her every 15 minutes til she is asleep, do NOT pick her up.
Day two rock only 4 min, Day 3 rock for 3 min, Day 4 rock for 2 min, Day 5 rock for 1 min, Day 6 lay her down with the lovie without rocking.
If she is very upset you can rub her head or back and talk to her but do not pick her up. Try to leave her alone as much as possible (I know this is difficult).
Be strong and consistent and eventually she will get the hang of it :)
2006-12-27 03:33:16 · answer #1 · answered by totspotathome 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First, all the advice I've received said wait until 6 months to "wean" your baby from instant soothing for anything. They just want to make sure you're there. If you are frustrated, they know it, too, so keep that in mind.
Beyond that, you may have tried these things, but I'll put them out there anyway... a meal and/or bath relatively close to bed time. Setting up a routine she recognizes as "winding down" may help, although it may take a couple weeks. Music or nature sounds. A favorite toy or blanket to clutch. Check on lighting that is more soothing rather than to bright (stimulant) or too dim (scary to be alone).
2006-12-27 03:32:37 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No. you're not wasting your time.
Get a routine going, wher eyou do the same things every night before putting her in her crib.
Rock her just long enough that she is calm and sleepy. No sleeping or tight shut eyes. She should be drowzy when you put her in her crib, not asleep.
If she wakes up and fusses, wait a few minutes (maybe ten), go back in, sit next to the crib and shh-shh her for a while until she calms down, not until she's asleep. And leave.
If she fusses again, go back, shh-shh her until she's calm, maybe rub her belly just a little until she is calm, NOT ASLEEP. and leave.
The goal it to NOT let her fall asleep with you in the room. You can help calm her, but dont put her to sleep. What she wants is for you to do that work for her, because its easier for her if she doesnt have to rely on herself.
its not healthy for her development, or your sanity.
NEver put her to sleep, put her to bed drowzy, not closed eyed and asleep.
once she's in the crib, DONT PICK HER BACK UP OUT OF IT! dont turn the lights on, dont run music (you'll end up coming in all night to turn the tape over, or restart the noise), if you have to, run a small fan for some white noise. That can help a lot.
Just keep everything condusive to sleep. Take her toys out of her crib, anything that lights up or makes noise, those are stimulants, not relaxers. They encourage thought and learning, not sleep and growing. keep it dim.
It takes time, but soon, her falling asleep will be part of her regular routine.
2006-12-27 03:24:42 · answer #3 · answered by amosunknown 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
theres nothing wrong with holding your baby or rock her to sleep when shes little. if you feel like its time to try to get her to go to sleep by herself then thats what you should do. i dont think its a good idea if one night you are holding her to get her to sleep and the next you are just laying her in her crib. try rocking her for a little while and singing to her for a while, then put her in her crib. if she is fussy rub her back or stomach and sing to her for a while till she calms down then she should learn to do this on her own within a week.... good luck, babies are so enjoyable at this age.
2006-12-27 03:50:34 · answer #4 · answered by Kayla E 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I waited until my son was 9 months, but you know your baby better than anyone.
Try "the Sleep Sence Solution" by Dana Obleman, it's on the internet. Anyways...it saved our sanity!!!!!
Otherwise, don't feel pressure to pass up this stage of life, before you know it your baby will be grown and you will miss rocking her in your arms!
2006-12-27 03:23:17 · answer #5 · answered by Mama Ro 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
There is absolutely nothing wrong with parenting your child to sleep. Rock her, walk her, sing to her.....enjoy these moments before she is so grown up that she doesn't want your cuddles.
2006-12-27 03:22:23 · answer #6 · answered by momma2mingbu 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
My 2month loves his swing. whenever he starts acting up we put him in the swing and eventually he stops cryin cause he loves to be in motion, which all babys do! so i would invest in a swing or a bouncer
2006-12-27 03:25:50 · answer #7 · answered by foxzie006 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋