Trying to get my four month old to sleep by herself?

Question

I am having a difficult time getting my daughter to sleep in her crib at night. I don't have a problem getting her to sleep, but once I put her in her crib, she'll wake up 10 minutes later and will refuse to go back to sleep. It's my fault, I know it is. She's been pretty sick a few times since she was born and the only way she would sleep was if I was holding her. Then (please don't judge me I know it's not a good idea at all) but she started sleeping in the bed with us, because I couldn't hold her all night long! I can not bear to have her sitting in her crib crying, even for a few minutes. I don't know what to do! If she sleeps with me she'll sleep all night long and I love that, but I don't sleep well for fear of rolling over on her!! I have also tried putting her in her crib right before she falls asleep but when I lay her in there her eyes pop right open and she's suddenly wide awake. I don't know what to do!! Plz help! :) Thanks.

Answer 1

Do some research on the Ferber Method. It worked for my daughter.

Answer 2

Our first baby slept so easily. She would sleep in our room, in our bed or in her basket. Our second had colic and she wouldn't sleep practically at all it seemed. She would sleep in her swing or in the car until the car stopped.

I think the suggestion of some sort of sound may be a worth trying. I don't know the Ferber method. We also had a "heartbeat bear" which made a sound like being in the womb.

Can you warm up the baby's bed with a warm hot water bottle before putting her down? You are warm and cuddly and you breath. She wants those needs met to move away from your person and sleep OK. I know it's hard, but you'll get through this. Wait until she gets her drivers license and is late the first time! You have no idea how quickly it all comes!

Answer 3

First of all relax. My six month old sleeps with me and I'm happy about it. We are practically the only country where co-sleeping is not expected. As you go along you'll find many, many people who co-sleep with their children. Read Dr. Sears stuff, at least google him and read the philosophies. Your child needs you 24 hours a day not just when the sun is shining. Don't feel so guilty!!! You aren't likely to roll over on her either unless you drink and it isn't recommended if you smoke. Do some more research and do what works for you. Mom, Dad and baby wouldn't have it any other way in our house ;-]

Answer 4

Hi there. As a mother with 7 children from the ages of 11 down to age 2, I have quite a bit of experience with babies! :) Don't worry about your baby sleeping with you! As long as you are smart about it. I never had any problems, and I let all of my babies sleep with me. My 2 year old still does. It doesn't bother us at all. I understand that you want her to develop good habits. My daughter would cry as soon as I would lay her down so I would have to very carefully lay her down and then hold my hand on her belly for a couple of minutes, like I was still right there with her. Once she was in a deep sleep again, I would just walk away. Another thing that helps...we have a air cleaner in our room, that makes "white noise", just background noise so it blocks out any noise that would wake the baby up. That really helps! Try keeping her all bundled up tightly in a blanket also. Good luck! :) Hang in there and have patience! :)

Answer 5

You definitely shouldn't feel like co-sleeping is something to be judged for - your daughter is just an infant and being held is what she needs! I found helpful to put my son's crib next to our bed and put my hand on his stomach to help him fall asleep. This way the baby stays close and feels you while getting used for the crib. However, if your daughter objects that - please don't force her. You'll know when she's ready.

Answer 6

Evolution has set up the infant brain to require touch to form brain cell connections.

Holding your daughter in her sleep is natural, normal, how we evolved. Not doing it is something to judge.

An infant's brain evolved to flood with stress hormones, cortisol, when mommy isn't around. This flooding will damage her brain, making her more anxious and depressed and less smart than she was meant to be.

Do not leave her crying. Of course you can't bear to . It's sick and insane to do so. She isn't even post-embryo yet - remember, they're born early so their heads'll get out. She needs to always be held and nursing.

Learn about how to safely co-sleep. We did it with both children and never had a minute of anything but joy from it. It's the best way to watch your baby and parent her.

She needs you, don't let society convince you that your desire to respond to her is wrong. Start reading real parents on the matter - naturalchild.org and mothering magazine and dr. sears.

Answer 7

My daughter is 7 months old now and actually she's crying now because she's sleepy, but she usually falls asleep in her swing. She's not really crying, just fussing a bit. They fight their sleep bad, you just have to let them cry it out a minute. The ferber method says 5 minutes, then go talk to them and let them know it's okay, then 10 minutes, you just keep adding 5 minutes more each time they are crying.

Answer 8

you merely can't smash a 4 month previous baby. little ones are meant to be held. and usually. in my opinion, i do no longer in uncomplicated terms like the belief of a toddler that youthful crying herself to sleep. She needs you top now, it is ok to hold her. you could continually %. her up, then lay her bypass into opposite earlier she is totally asleep so as that she would doze off on her very own. It takes time.

Answer 9

She needs to develop good habits. Sometimes, the only way is to let her scream and cry until she falls asleep. It will take several nights at least, but you have to let her figure it out. Otherwise, you will have the same exact problem, every day and night. Buy yourself some good ear plugs or listen to some headphones, but you really need to leave her alone. Easier said than done, but it's the only way she'll learn. Good luck!

Answer 10

they sale Baby guards there 2 long pillows that are made just for babies and they go on either side of the baby to make them feel as though there being held, and there round in shape so that they roll if the baby moves this way I got mine from a SIDS program that I got involved with .