Fighting sleep or not able to self soothe?

[busymama77]

I noticed this past weekend that DS was getting quite fussy each time before he fell asleep. We had to either give him a paci, sometimes rock him, snuggle his blankie against his face or hands, etc., Is this a sign that he's fighting the sleep or is unable to self soothe?

[LadyCatherine185]

He could be overtired, overstimulated and tired, or fighting sleep. Most babes that young are not able to self-soothe... my 22 month old still needs a lot of help to go to sleep.. he has never been able to just "go to sleep" when tired. If all you have to do is put in a paci or cuddle him a little bit, I'd count yourself pretty lucky.

[busymama77]

Originally Posted by LadyCatherine185

He could be overtired, overstimulated and tired, or fighting sleep. Most babes that young are not able to self-soothe... my 22 month old still needs a lot of help to go to sleep.. he has never been able to just "go to sleep" when tired. If all you have to do is put in a paci or cuddle him a little bit, I'd count yourself pretty lucky.

Oh, he's definitely had his moments. Most recently was Father's Day at my parents house. He was WAY overstimulated - the most he's been since he was first born and was going through the 'witching hour' stage. NOTHING was calming him down. After about 5 mins of being in the car, he fell alseep and was a perfect baby for the rest of the night. Go figure!

[The Harpy]

I have the same thing with my DD who is 8.5 months old. She can't self soothe, we hve to swaddle her and walk and rock her while she screams in our ear for about 3-4 minutes then all of a sudden she goes limp and passes out.... sigh. It sucks and I wish I had another way aside from driving in the car with her in her carseat (which works like a charm too). :

[ann_of_loxley]

Its odd isn't it!...DS1 - when he was tired, he would just go to sleep. The most I would have to do is give him a soother. For a week when he was super new to the world, I would swaddle him in arms. Then he eventually learned not to hit himself in the face when he was tired. We used to also joke he was a parrot. For some strange reason, placing a blanket over his face when he was tired would put him to sleep just like that! (of course he could breathe and we would remove it once he was asleep - never leaving him unattended that way).

Ds2 on the other hands - needs my help. Usually a boob or if I pop him in the sling - he is right off to sleep. I still count myself lucky because hes is great through the night! Just sleeps right through! - On and off the boob of course throughout, but sleeping right through that as well. Not nearly as much work as daytime is! At least the sling works - so I can get some things done! lol

I actually think my first son wasn't the 'average'. My second is!

[Lauren31]

I do not mind being the sole person capable of soothing a baby to sleep but does there come a time when DH can do it? We have tried it but she just won't fall asleep, even after I nurse her and leave, DH pops her paci in and lays and cuddles and she refuses sleep until I come back in for cuddles... I feel bad for DH!

[LadyCatherine185]

Originally Posted by Lauren31

I do not mind being the sole person capable of soothing a baby to sleep but does there come a time when DH can do it? We have tried it but she just won't fall asleep, even after I nurse her and leave, DH pops her paci in and lays and cuddles and she refuses sleep until I come back in for cuddles... I feel bad for DH!

This young, probably not. But DH started putting DS to sleep around 9 months old, and puts him to sleep every night since.

[marinak1977]

In our case (and it's N of 1) DH was able to put DS to sleep by bouncing him on a gym ball especially why playing ocean waves on the sleep sheep. He was able to do it pretty early, but still most of the time the boob is the easiest way to do it.

[leigh09]

Originally Posted by ann_of_loxley

For some strange reason, placing a blanket over his face when he was tired would put him to sleep just like that! (of course he could breathe and we would remove it once he was asleep - never leaving him unattended that way).

My baby is like this too. I have gotten some strange looks when I walk around with my baby all hidden under the blanket, but it works like a charm. Maybe it is because it keeps him from looking at everything else in the room that is distracting him from sleep?