how do i get him to fall asleep by himself?

Question

he is 14 month old and we still have to sing/carry him to sleep everytime, twice during the day, one time for the night.

he still sleeps in our bed, during the night,
during the day he sleeps here in the livingroom on the couch.

i just want some tips, have no time to read a book, and is it possible, that he will learn to fall asleep by himself.

thanks again

Answer 1

Be consistent. Pick one place and have him sleep there for naps and night-time. Make a routine; brush teeth, read a book, say good night and leave the room. If he continues getting out of bed; don't make eye contact or talk to him. Just put him back in his bed. It may take a week or two, bu he'll eventually fall into that routine. If you need to, put a baby gate up so that he can't get out of his room.

Answer 2

Oh yeah it's possible...how bad do you want it?What exactly do you want...that's the first thing you need to decide. In my opinion you should have him sleep in his crib or toddler bed with a side high enough to keep him in while sleeping but where he can get in and out by himself if he can walk. That's for all sleeping...naps and bedtime. The more consistent you are the more clear he'll be on what the rules are and better luck you'll have. Put him to bed awake!!!! and give hima hug, kiss and say see you in the morning or after your nap and leave. do not go back!!! Yes there will be tears maybe even for you but trust me the training will pay off...you'll be amazed. It will probably take a few days maybe even a week but if you don't give in it will work. Just make sure he is ready for bed or a nap and truly is tired and it won't be long...it has worked for both of mine. good luck. by the way mine got out and would fall asleep crying by her door but believe me it doesn't last long and yes it was hard but you're not being cruel just establishing the rules.

Answer 3

14 months is a little old for two naps. Maybe baby isn't tired yet?

If you're not already, put baby down when he's drowsy but not yet asleep. Pat him. If he whines or fusses, just shush and continue patting. If he starts to cry, then pick him up and start over. Put him down drowsy, then pat him. The first night you may have to give up and just do it the old way, but in time he will allow you to put him down while drowsy. Pat him to sleep, then sneak out. After you establish this as a solid routine, he will let you give him a few pats and stand up while he goes to sleep. In a few months, you may even be able to kiss him good night and leave the room while he's still awake, but remember that's when "monsters" come out!

Answer 4

I just talked with my doctor about his yesterday. My daughter is three and I'm 24 weeks pregnant. We moved about a year and half and since that time my daughter has never liked sleeping by herself. He told us just to make sure that we follow the same routine every night. Maybe try to put some soft music. My daughter has a problem with going to sleep in her room and staying there. I know people mention to put the baby gate up in front of your child's door. The doctor suggested maybe putting the baby gate up in front of the parents door so that they parent could hear them and pick the up and take the back to their room. Well last night this all worked for us but my daughter didn't want the music on and when she woke in the middle of the night is was to tell me she needed to go to the bathroom and she went right back to bed no crying. Good Luck!!

Answer 5

Oh my gosh. If you figure it out, let me know! I still breastfeed my baby to sleep and she's 19 months old.

One thing I've heard is to just have a nightly routine (which we have) but something like this:

7pm bath
7:30pm pajamas and stories
8:00 dark room, rocking and lullaby music - lay them down in the crib and say "night night" and pat them on the back until they go to sleep.

Ha! As if that would work for my baby!!! Not! She would stand up and scream her head off and say "ma ma!!!!"

But, good luck! Let us know if that works!

Answer 6

Start putting him in his own bed during the day for naps and when he gets that down, then do it at night. And give him something to cuddle with like a soft blanky, so he won't need you as much.

Answer 7

I know it sounds cruel but leave him to cry. Do it for a minute at first then increase the time. Put him in his cot, give him something of yours to cuddle up against, maybe a jumper. Be calm, say goodnight and leave. If he cries, after one minute go back in, stroke his face say goodnight again then go. It doesn't all sort out overnight but after a while it does. He just needs reassurance that when he wakes up you will be there. I'm sure he will be fine. It does work. I worked in a day nursery and that is how we got the babies to settle. Good luck!!

Answer 8

Get him into his own bed - he will never learn to fall asleep by himself if he's still sleeping with you.
Have a designated napping place too - the couch isn't working.
I put my daughter down for naps in her playpen - no toys in it. And she sleeps in her own crib in our room at night (for now until she moves into her own room).
You're going to have to let him cry a little bit and do the whole reassuring and checking on him thing.
Cry - go in pat him, tell him it's ok, wait 5 minutes, then go back if he's still crying, etc.
Good luck!

Answer 9

Your son has gotten used to a routine you have started & ending that routine will be hard for your son to adjust to. I firmly believe that your son needs to sleep in his own bed whether it's for napping or nighttime sleeping. That's yet another habit you have started that you'll want to break & good luck on that one too. My d-in-law was in your shoes not so long ago & she had to undo the same habits she allowed just as you have. When naptime comes for your son, make time to read a short story to him. Do the same when nightime comes. It won't be easy at first but you have to be consistant on this, & in time, he will come to accept this as the way it's going to be. I don't know your circumstances, but a mom should never be too busy to read to her child. Good reading habits are taught at an early age. The sound of your voice will calm your son & relax him. He deserves a story & will come to look forward to it daily & nightly.

Answer 10

Put baby on crib and put baby music. Soothe baby to sleep