How do you get child to fall asleep in crib on their own?

Question

I just recently adopted a child from Guatemala and we have been having problems with him falling asleep on his own in his crib. We always have to rock him to sleep (generally with a bottle as well) and then carefully set him in crib. If we try to put him in crib while awake, he just throws a tantrum. He is 11 months old. Any suggestions on how to break this?

Answer 1

the only way to break that is to let the child cry it out. it usually takes a few nights...3 or so, and the child learns he needs to put himself to sleep. this one's tough, though, because you've taken him from somewhere else and are trying to acclimate him to life with you. you think maybe he's not used to his new situation yet? how long has he been with you guys? it's hard to say if that's a factor because kids do go through this learning how to go to sleep on their own with the crying and that's normal.

Answer 2

He's probably still going through a lot of internal stress, coming to a new country and living with new parents, so of course he wants to be with you, and know he's loved when he falls to sleep. It must be terrifying to be left on his own, maybe wondering if you've left him forever (like his original parents did, perhaps, or the people who were caring for him before you adopted him).

Just keep on rocking him, and letting him know that you love him. Put on some soothing music too - anything he likes, it doesn't have to be kiddie music. One of my sons went to sleep listening to Mozart every night as a baby!

As he gets older, you may be able to put him in his crib and sit with him, stroking his back or holding his hand, and eventually he'll go on his own - but it may be another year.

Whatever you do don't leave him to cry - it's not great advice for any children, but REALLY bad for small children who have recently been adopted.

Answer 3

You might try this...
Try putting him in his crib and leave the room, he will probably cry. If he continues to cry go back in like 10-15 min. and don't say anything maybe just pat his back or something and walk away again. Just let him know that you are there in the house but that it is time for bed.
Or you could take a small stuffed animal or something and pat his back with it and then gradually stop patting and leave the stuffed animal he might think it is you once he is asleep.
Good Luck.

Answer 4

I used Elizabeth Pantley's No-Cry Sleep answer and he began dozing in the process the nighttime merely till now 6 months previous. He receives up at 5 or 6 for a feed and then inserts decrease back to sleep. He has one 2-2.5 hour nap and yet another a million/2 hour nap. i'd advise that approximately 5 minutes till now you know he will awaken pass in and look forward to his first awaken cue; then p.c.. him up and nurse him till he's in a deep sleep. by way of the years he will study to stay asleep longer. He won't keep in mind the nursing consultation (how lots do you keep in mind after merely waking? lol). i think this became into stated in the No-Cry Nap answer. She has a internet site whether it somewhat is blocked the place i'm.

Answer 5

It's true, they just have to cry it out. My daughter was really bad at this. I had to let her cry it out. I found that with her, when I would go back in the room after a few to help calm her down, it would work her back up again.

Don't let him take the bottle in the crib with him. At 11 months, he may or may not have the ability to climb out, so you might want to crack the door and peek in on him to make sure he can't.

I found the thing that helped calm her the most without Mommy and Daddy in the room was a cd player. I would play it softly so she would have to try to listen to the music.

Answer 6

i know this may sound like an evil thing to do but just leave him to cry for a bit and then after a while go and see if he's ok and then leave him for a bit longer each time, he will soon realise that you've not left him forever and that you will come back and then sooner or later he'll know just to fall asleep on his own. its really hard to begin with and it pulls at your heartstrings to hear them cry but it gets easier and it'll be the best solution for everyone

Answer 7

Is this child an indigenous Maya? Are you aware that Maya children almost never cry when raised by Maya families? They are held constantly, until they are 3 years old! Good Luck!

Answer 8

After a few nights, (of crying) it WILL stop. . . .

I think it's harder on the parents to listen to it, because IF you give in and go in to pick up the child, all you are really doing, is starting all over again.

Sooner or later, you will have to just leave him to sleep it out on his own, give him a favorite teddy bear and probably in about 3 nites it will be all done.

good luck

Answer 9

Let him cry, he will tire himself out and fall asleep. This may take a few nights but he will fall asleep on his own.

Answer 10

he's so small and he needs you and to feel secure and safe. he probably doesn't know the environment so be patient. make his room somewhere he feels safe and is familiar with, give him lots of reassurance.
He also needs to get to know you, if you've adopted him. why not let him sleeep with you for a while so he gets used to his new family and knows he is safe and loved and not on his own - I don't know his circumstances pre-adoption but please take that into account. Don't leave him in a dark room on his own crying himself to sleep.
Give it some time, once he trusts you he will be more amenable to sleeping in his own space.