Need ideas to get ds to sleep- tired of middle of the night "play sessions"

[DevaMajka]

I've posted about it before, but ds (6.5mos old) doesn't often nurse to sleep. It's not a huge problem during the day, because I can just let him play until he's more tired, and he eventually (after one or two or more play sessions) will nurse to sleep or walk to sleep (walking to sleep doesn't reliably work for me. It works well for dp).

Recently, he's been waking up in the middle of the night. He WANTS to go back to sleep. He tries to go back to sleep. He's super tired. But he can't settle himself enough. I nurse him, lay him on my chest, rub/pat his back, give him a pacifier, etc. It all keeps him from crying, but it doesn't really help him go to sleep.
Dp offers to get up and walk him to sleep, which works after a while. But, for example, last night, dp got up and walked him to sleep, laid ds down, got himself in bed (so ds didn't wake up immediately upon being put down), and ds woke up. He walked him to sleep 4 times last night. It took 2 hours to get ds asleep, and actually staying asleep for more than 10 minutes. DP is awesome at walking him to sleep during the day- he has it timed perfectly for when the best time to lay him down is.

I basically need ideas on how to help ds learn to get himself to sleep. I totally don't mind nursing, cuddling, or helping in any other way. (I slightly prefer not to walk him to sleep 3 times through the night though. Not that it works for me anyway). But none of that helps! Basically, he wakes up but wants to be asleep, and is up and playing in bed until he's sooooo exhausted that something works, usually after an hour or two.

[odoole]

DS his 6 mo and has started to do this recently. I'm thinking it has to do with his nap schedule and him sleeping too much close to bedtime. Have you thought about changing your son's nap routine?

Also Ds has a set of 5 lullabies that he associates with sleep, so playing those often helps. I also will try to pretend I'm asleep so I don't stimulate him too much. I notice all my sleep tools often keep him more awake than not. It's hard though, because ds seems to want to be extra cute and smiley at 3:30 in the morning, I tend to want to play with him!

[Baby_Cakes]

No real advice, but that age is huge for developmental milestones. Crawling is soon ( if not already) and sitting just happened. Their little brains are wired to wake up a lot! It's not fun, I know. But it does get better.

At that age, DD would wake and really want to play. I, however, did not. We still had her crib in another room, so I would put her in there and doze in the chair while she entertained herself. Usually after an hour or so, she would start to fuss and would fall asleep easily at the breast or by rocking. Sometimes they just have something to get out of their system.

If this isn't practical for you guys, just try to be patient. You aren't alone. You are great parents for responding to his needs at this young age.

[DevaMajka]

Well, last night went better. He fell asleep in bed, on my chest and nursing while I rubbed his back. Had to be all 3 of those. It took a while, but it worked! And he stayed asleep all night. Well, he woke up about 5 times, but never really woke up, and nursed back to sleep really quickly every time. So at least today I'm feeling better!

I should start a night time association. I have a "white noise" thing to help him sleep, but dp doesn't like it, because it keeps him up. Not sure why it would matter, dp doesn't come to bed until hours after ds and I do, and it has a 30min timer. But anyway, a nighttime association might help.

Originally Posted by Baby_Cakes

No real advice, but that age is huge for developmental milestones. Crawling is soon ( if not already) and sitting just happened.

Yep. crawling everywhere, sitting. He's even pulling himself to standing on our ottoman things. I guess that's part of it. Just too much going on in his head, and he just wants to move his body!