how to help him sleep?

Question

i have a 8 1/2 month old i usally rock and pat on the back,thigh and his but (not all the same time or day).

what are other ways i can help get him to sleep?

i love the bonding but it takes a while to get him to sleep then if he wakes in the night he can't get back to sleep with out the patting.

by the time he is a year old i would like him to have his own pattern and be able to fall asleep on his own.

what do you do to get your baby to sleep at night?

im hopeing i can find a way that works for the both of us. any ideas that you can give and has worked for you or anyone you know will help.

Answer 1

When my first had trouble sleeping, I was at my wits end and hearing how babies slept through the night shortly after coming home from the hospital only made me feel worse. The best thing I did was purchase a book called "The No Cry Sleep Solution". Its chalked full of information including understanding sleep cycles, knowing how many hours baby should be sleeping at various ages, how to establish a sleep routine that works. I didn't feel at anytime that I was neglecting my child and I saw evidence of it working the longer I stuck with it. I strongly recommend the read. In the meantime, here's a few pointers from the book pertaining to sleeps:
Naps should be not as dark or as quiet as night sleeps; start a routine (15m-1h) before scheduled bedtime and do quiet activities like giving baby a bath, reading a bedtime book, rocking in a chair, listen to lullibies or singing some etc. --- as long as it's something you or someone else can do repeatedly as needed anywhere; don't put baby down with a pacifier as it will interupt sleep cycle when it falls out; don't put baby down whe (s)he is asleep, strike sooner when (s)he is sleep but conscious of you putting him/her down; baby's crib should be free of distractions but may include a "lovey" (stuffed toy or blankey) to cuddle; when baby fusses, sooth him/her with a gentle rub (no picking up) and a pre-rehearsed standard sentence like "It's okay baby, it's bedtime" because anything else could stimulate him/her awake.

Really. Read the book. I wouldn't suggest it to a busy mother if it weren't any good.

Answer 2

The only way to break a habit is to change it. Your baby is old enough to be sleeping in the crib, through the night. You will probably have to let him cry. Everyone who said go in every 5 minutes is right. I started this when my son was 4 months. I learned the trick was to never pick them up (unless they are hurting of course). Go in every 5 minutes and comfort him--lean over the crib, give him a hug if he is pulling himself up or rub his back or tummy and reassure him that you are there, but, then say it is time for bed, good night and leave. Let him cry for a minute longer this time and then repeat. It is harder than it sounds. I sat in my bedroom and cried listening to my son cry. It took 1/2 hour the first night-very long 1/2 hour-for him to fall asleep. It got easier every night. After a week, he could fall asleep on his own. Now, he is 16 months and when I say "are you ready to go night night" he walks to his bedroom door. It really is for the best in the long run because, now if my son cries, I know there is something wrong and he needs me. Good luck and be patient. Remember, habits are hard to break.

Answer 3

While it is bad for baby teeth, some people give their baby a bottle to go to bed, but i see nothing wrong with it, if you put water in his bottle only.

What i do: its very sad, but it has to be done, I feed her and change her to make sure she is ok, and then i lie her down, and sing to her for a while, and turn on her singing light, and i pat her on the butt, then i leave the room. She will scream, i let her cry for 5 minutes, then i go back in there and start singing and patting her butt. If she gets too bad, i will pick her up, and pat her butt, then put her back. It will take a while, but she will learn that its bed time.

It does work, it just takes some time.

Answer 4

At my sons check up my doctor recommended to start having him cry to sleep. He says that babies are safe in their crib, so lay them in bed and say your good nights. If he cry, let him cry for 5 mins before walking in and comfort him while he is still laying in bed. (it will be the hardest thing to do. I wanted to run into him room and comforted him the minute he started) If he starts crying again, wait another 5 mins and so forth. After a Few weeks of trying that and he still isn't falling asleep on his own, increase the time to 10 mins and so forth. I know it is a lot easier said than done, but he will eventually start falling asleep on his own even a night.

Answer 5

OK, you wish to sleep or keep up? Cause you are saying each. Your ingesting, so as to placed you to sleep, and relying how a lot you might have had, additionally make you too impared to force in a couple of hours. Be cautious. Sleepy+ingesting=a first rate harmful driving force, able of killing an blameless at the avenue

Answer 6

My husband & I are going through the same thing right now. We have a gorgeous 9month old and we have always had a routine with her from day one. We now give her her solids in the evening and then let her play awhile. Then its bathtime (which is her absolute fav., she LOVES baths!) and we get her in her jammies. We then make her a nice warm bottle and she drinks the bottle and falls asleep in our arms. Which is the absolute best feeling in the world!
I know its good for babies to have routines but as far as getting them to sleep on their own... we are still working on that one! They do say to read them a bedtime story and say your goodnights and put them in their crib. Very hard to listen to your little one scream... very hard! I think within time, our little one will get it. Good luck to you... Im anxious to see what kind of responses you get.

Answer 7

This seemed to work for me when I wanted to teach my kids to fall asleep on their own. Rock them and cuddle them until they are almost, but not quite, asleep. Then lay them down but put your hand on top of them...the weight of it is comforting, and sing quietly. He'll feel reassured because you are still right there, and the singing will distract him from the instinct to cry. Gradually, over a few weeks, you can start laying him down sooner, and pulling farther away from him. Just be gentle and patient.

Answer 8

let him cry it out. you'll feel really bad the first time. but you can't be patting his but to sleep forever.

Answer 9

maybe he wakes because his diaper is wet or he is hungry if not try have him be awake later so he can sleep the night.
try one of those loud ticking wind-up clocks that gives a loud tic tic as this would relax him.