baby sleeping problems?

Question

my son is 2.5 months old, and only falls asleep if he is moving (car, seing, rocking), or if he is lying on someone's chest getting his back rubbed or his bottom pat. i dont want him to think he will get it forever, so how do i get him to sleep without having to do all this, and without him screaming himself to sleep?

Answer 1

the first few months some babies like to be moved, my babies I found slept very soundly if wrapped up snuggly like they were as newborns, a few liked their arms tucked up as well, so thats one option to try.

I remember my daughter who is now 5 would only sleep with my hand through the cot bars with my finger in her hand... luckily she didnt want that for too long as my arm would go dead lol!

your baby will start to sleep more soundly on his own, just keep trying, if you find its getting harder and harder, try ringing plunket or another baby health professional who may be able to come to your house and give you some tips.

goodluck

Answer 2

I am having the same problem. I wouldn't recommend letting the child scream until after at least 3 months. The first 3 months the baby is more like a fetus than an infant, and you can psychologically damage the baby if you let the baby "scream it out". Your son will grow out of this phase. For now, put the baby in the swing, and after he is fast asleep, pick him up and place him in his cradle/crib. That's what I am doing for now. Once he is older, if he is still having problems, talk to your pediatrician. They are the best source for what to do. Good luck!

Answer 3

My son was like this also.. But we continued to do it and gradually he needed this less. Just make sure after he's aslep you do lay him down. Now at 4 month he gets swaddled, layed on his side and is given a pacifier and usually thats all it takes.. sometimes you have to pat him bottom while he's laying down to help him relax.. But babies do outgrow this, they develop stronger sleep assocition and their circadium rhythm develops so they know when to sleep. Don't worry, keep doing what you're doing, it will be over soon!


save the CIO method for when baby's at least 6 months. Though i don't plan on ever doing it.. there are other ways =]

Answer 4

At his age its ok to have a helping hand to get to sleep, but not rocking etc...as this will lead to probs down the track.

try putting him in the crib/cot/cradle (his own bed in other words) facing away from you on his side. pat his bottom and 'shshshsh' for 2mins then leave the room for 2mins, if he doesn't go to sleep (more than likely the first time you try it) go back in, do the same thing for 4mins then out for 4mins, in for 6mins out for 6mins etc.....It took my daughter and son only 6mins to go to sleep. Once they are sleeping well, roll them gently back onto their back so they can't roll over and smother themselves. Use a dummy/pacifier if you want - i did - best things in the world. Keep doing this if they wake up and its not feed time yet (in the night) and for all the day sleeps too. Its very important to put them in their own bed so they get used to it. It will take up to a week to perfect it, but perserverance is the key! If you really want to do it, you can, anybody can. Hearing them cry breaks your heart but its in everybodies best interest to do it. If you see somebody holding him and he's sleepy, take him and put him to bed.
I'm not advocating just letting him scream till he falls asleep, that shouldn't be done on a child less than 6mths old but go in every so often and no eye contact or talking other than loud 'shshshs' noise. its proven to work by many health professionals

It's hard but there are parenting books and articles galore on the self-soothing / self-settling technique and it by far works better than anything else you can try. If you want to break the cycle start now before he gets older and it gets harder.

good luck and give it a try for a week, if nothings changed, i'll eat my shoe!!! you can do it!

Answer 5

Read "Babywise" by ezzo, its a life saver. Put your baby in the cot/cradle and then walk away. Close the door and don't cme in no matter what. The first time they cry for a while, but after a couple of days it is so easy - you put them down and they go to sleep. And don't worry a litle bit of crying alone doesn't undo all the love that you share with them the rest of the time, but if they learn how to put themselves to sleep they will sleep better and be happier becaue of it.

Often babies wake after 45mins, and if they know how to put themselves to sleep , they will just go back to sleep. A baby that needs rocking to put them to sleep, will wake and not go back to sleep becuase there is no rocking.

Its important to get your baby to be able to sleep well before he can stand up, if they haven't learnt by then it will be really hard to teach them!

Good luck!

Answer 6

You have to do the screaming thing. It only takes 3 days but eventually he'll get it. Best to do it now then have to deal with it when he's older. Put him to bed and let him cry. Quietly check on him (hopefully without him knowing you are coming in to the room) to make sure he's okay but don't pick him up.

Answer 7

"""you can psychologically damage the baby if you let the baby "scream it out"""" this has got to be the biggest crock of crap I have heard.....lol I am a mother to 4 soon to be 5. I have let my babies all *cry it out over one thing or another* you just have to do it in moderations, 10-15 minutes... not 5 hours. In time you baby will grow out of this. Just have aptience.

Answer 8

I would start slowly,,,but place him in his cot and stroke his tummy...just keep stroking and humming...do this until he has settled don and repeat it every night...but gradually make it less and less hopefully it will help and its great that you are asking for help now rather than let it get too big an issue...

good luck and best wishes

Answer 9

He will gradually out grow this need.