I have a baby girl that is almost 10 months old, im trying to get her to sleeping alone. We will not sleep in her crib at all, she will sleep anywhere else but as long as shes being held or someone is laying next to her. If i even get up to use the bathroom, she wakes right up and starts screaming. So, im trying to get her used to sleeping by herself so i can start putting her in her bed again. Her crib sits right next to my bed in the room and she still wont. BUT, i was wondering if anyone has any ideas to help it go a little smoother, specally because my husband doesnt like to see her cry so he gives in and picks her up and just lays next to her the whole time she naps, which sometimes is 4 hours. (Of course hes not home THAT much so its not that stressful for him so he doesnt see the big deal about it, but when im home alone and cant use the restroom without the baby freaking out on me then its different). I need some suggestions if anyone has been through this before. Thanks.
2007-11-29 10:18:28 · 13 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
If you have been through this before what did you do to help and how long did it take. She has also been doing this since birth but now that shes older it seems like she just wouldnt be like this, this is my first baby so all this is kind of new to me.
2007-11-29 10:19:27 · update #1
I have a ten month old who does the same thing, but sporadically....since I'm also a first time mom I sometimes have a hard time differentiating between when she is "playing me" to be held and rocked to sleep, and when her teeth are bothering her, her belly aches...etc. I tried a LOT of things - swaddling, cry it out, white noise, and more. I read every book too, I think!. Cry it out didn't work for me and made me feel guilty and sick, so I end up doing this most nights: I rock her, sing to her, and cuddle her til she is drowsy and nearly sleeping. Then I place her in her crib (night-light on, with a lovey that she has chosen), and as she starts to stir I put gentle pressure on her legs and lower tummy (sort of like I'm holding her down, but just so she feels my warmth against her). This normally soothes her into sleep, and she will occasionally wake at night so I repeat the process. However she normally sleeps right through.
You have to do what feels right to you. I think God gave us mommy instincts for a reason so if you feel like you should let them guide your decisions.
2007-11-29 13:42:33 · answer #1 · answered by kath_08012 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I know what you are going thru. My daughter was the same way, but once she was about 9-10 months old, I decided to break her of it. She had her own room with her crib, and I would put her to bed every night at the same time, and just walk out of the room. Yes she will cry, and cry, and cry, and you will feel horrible, but believe me, after about 15-20 minutes of crying she will realize you arent coming back in to get her, and she will go to sleep on her own. With my daughter is took about a week, then she would go to bed great, and to this day ( she is 3 now ) She goes to bed with no problems. Hope this helps some!
2007-11-29 19:01:28 · answer #2 · answered by jenn_frog2000 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Hi try wrapping her up in your sweater or sweatshirt or something you've worn all day. Or keep a blanket of hers in your bed with you and change it with hers everyday so she always has you near her.
Babies respond well to scent of "mom" and of dad but more of mom. And try to get your husband to chill out & let her sleep. Take him for a walk and start leaving her with a loved one--another friend or family member who will grasp what you're trying to do.
She's only 10 months old so she can still be taught to sleep on her own quickly. Plus let her sleep while you clean the house as then she'll get over waking up so quickly.
2007-11-29 18:42:56 · answer #3 · answered by belligerent assistant 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well I am not a Mother I am a sister and my brother is 5 months and its the same thing. We actually went to the doctor about it and they say is the need to be loved, and they like the feeling of a surounding. They have a need to be close. You can try and rap them up in a blanket. Arms down folded (not too tight) but firm and rock them to sleep. Then put them down. try that. if it doesnt work... go to the doc. Just to make sure everything is ok.
2007-11-29 18:27:34 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Sadie, the baby should have never been in your bed to begin with. She should have been in her crib from day one. Why digress.......moving forward. I had a friend that had the same problem and she used a hot water bottle wrapped in a towel. She put that in the babies bed and angled it against the baby. The baby felt the warmth from the water bottle and so the baby thought there was a body there. Try that honey. It will take about a week for you to break her......keep the faith, it will be worth it in the long run. Blessings to you and yours this Holiday Season
2007-11-29 18:41:43 · answer #5 · answered by DERLANDSON 4 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Put baby in there when she is awake...let her play...she will soon discover that is is not so frightening...give her a few toys...just let her hang out...mobiles work great, and i also have one of the Fisher Price Aquariums that plays music, lights..etc. My 3 month old daughter LOVES her crib...to play and sleep...Once she becomes comfortable being in there awake, she may find sleeping in it easier....Good luck!!
2007-11-29 20:15:13 · answer #6 · answered by Alia's Mom 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the crying it out advice is crap
swaddle her up......she may seem too big for it but do it anyways....hold her super tight and rock her to sleep in the comfort of your arms
keep her crib next to your bed.....lay in her bed so when she does wake you are close to comfort her before she starts to cry
be patient with her and realize she is still a baby.....she won't be this little forever so enjoy her
2007-11-29 20:06:21 · answer #7 · answered by ? 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I read once that you should start out by standing next to her crib as she falls asleep. Slowly each day edge farther and farther away, until finally you're out of the room.
2007-11-29 18:23:05 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
She may be too used to human contact.Maybe she was picked up everytime she cried when she was a newborn and expects it every time. Let her cry,she will fall asleep eventually and if you can put up with it for a couple weeks she will settle. She is at the age where she could be sleeping in her own room now too. Please try to resist her coming into bed with you as its a hard habit to break.Someone i know did this and her boy wouldnt sleep on his own at all until he was 7 years old! 10 months is the age when they start getting very clingy too.If you want to use the bathroom and she cries,just go.She is passed the age where crying means she needs something.Shes using it to get her own way! Also when she goes down to sleep,make it as dark as possible,buy a blackout blind or something as she will associate darkness with sleep time. My little boy slept right through from 6 weeks onwards and has done every night sinceand hes now 4! I have more trouble with him now! Hope ive helped!
2007-11-29 18:26:50 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 5⤋
It doesn't hurt a baby to cry for a few minutes.
Put her in her crib, she'll figure it out after a little bit. Keep working on it.
2007-11-29 18:28:57 · answer #10 · answered by MadameXCupcake 5 · 2⤊ 3⤋