My son learned to fall asleep on his own when he was about 5 months old. But we have moved twice since then. And now we are living with friends. His father is living somewere else because he can't live here with us. A legal matter states that he can't live here. So... Ever since his father moved out he has stopped falling asleep on his own. First it was just bedtime. It didn't bother me so much. But then it turned into bedtime and both naptimes. I have tried to let him CIO. That's how we got him to go to sleep on his own the first time around. But it's not working this time. He screams so hard he ends up throwing up. And now I have to actually lay down with him every night to get him to go to sleep. And I have to hold him to get him to fall asleep for naptimes. I want him to fall asleep on his own again, but I have no idea what to try.
2007-03-01 09:09:12 · 5 answers · asked by Wiccan~Momma 3 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
He will learn to put himself to sleep when hes ready to. Hes going through alot right now and he obviously needs your comfort, theres nothing wrong with that.
I have put my son down for every nap and every bedtime since the day he was born, you just have to re-evaluate your expectations.
ETA:
The ferber method IS crying it out. Its where the term was coined from. Her son is going through a tough time right now, I don't think more trauma is the answer here.
2007-03-01 09:27:37 · answer #1 · answered by Mommy to David 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The FERBER METHOD works great. Go online and look it up....your pediatrician can also go over this method with you. You have to be consistent and firm but yet let him know you are still there for him and not rejecting him. I don't believe in the straight up letting him cry all night long until he teaches himself...the ferber method is a nice compromise of "crying it out" and still comforting him as well. It is really traumatic but it only takes like a week and then you will be on your way to happy sleeping for the both of you. Stay positive and warm to your baby and it will be fine....:-)
The ferber method helps him to fall asleep on his own without the trauma of not returning to him to let you know you love him and are there for him...it is gradual, not traumatizing, and works amazing.
2007-03-01 09:35:46 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
My daughter keeps going through phases where she does not want to go to bed.........in fact, we are in one now......
She has a crib in her own quiet room. I lay her down in her crib with her Fisher Price aquarium and her stuffed bunny. The aquarium is on lights/music. I tell her it is night-night time, and I walk out of the room. She pulls up and cries. I sit where she can not see me, just to make sure she does not get stuck. After about 5 minutes, I go in, lay her down, tell her it is night-night time........leave again. I have to repeat this a few times til she stops pulling up. usually only 2 or 3. Then she just lays there and fusses and falls asleep within 5 minutes.
If she wakes up crying, I wait it out......if it becomes full blown wailing, I go to her. Pat her back, find bunny if he is lost, turn on the aquarium and leave the room with her still awake. she is usually pretty sleepy and goes back to sleep immediately. Sometimes she will just fuss a bit, and go back to sleep on her own.
I don't feed her, pick her up.......I don't even check her diaper. I make sure there is no good that will come of her crying in the middle of the night. that way she gets bored with it and stays asleep.
Bunny is a wonderful comfort item. she clutches hat thing all night........she only gets him at night, and he MUST be in her crib (I bought 5........we cycle through 3 and have 2 spares). that way she does not feel she is alone in her crib.
Good luck
2007-03-01 12:43:38 · answer #3 · answered by ShellyLynn 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You DON'T have to hold him or lay by his crib. and crying it out WILL work. My guess is that since you are living with other people who's judgement you fear, you are not truly letting him cry it out. You must not reward his crying with attention no matter how long he cries. You are only reinforcing the behavior you are trying to stop when you do so. Explain to the people you are living with, then let him cry. For as long as it takes. Be the parent. Help you child break this bad habit, though it's hard.
2007-03-01 09:53:16 · answer #4 · answered by toomanycommercials 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
wear him out... take him to the park.... play as much as you can first thing in the morning when he wakes up... then after his nap do something with him outside... you gotta make em use up all their energy...
2007-03-01 09:22:58 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋