How to 'put a baby down' for a nap - Page 2

[JudiAU]

I don't expect an infant to go to sleep by themselves. People who usually do are usually willing to allow a lot of tears, usually ongoing to get there. My first would almost always nurse to sleep. Dd can't fall asleep that way. We bounce her on an exercise ball, usual,y in a sling. Works like a charm. Works well for our caregiver too.

Honestly I think it is a myth that peopled just put their sleepy babies down and then they go to sleep. They go to sleep after a lot of tears have taught the to,..

[LadyCatherine185]

My 2 year old doesn't go to sleep by himself. In fact, at 3 months old I couldn't even put him down ASLEEP without him waking up and screaming. Some babies will do it on their own, others need help. I would toss Healthy Sleep Habits, it will 1) drive you mad and make you think you are a horrible mother because your child is not sleeping on the schedule he suggests and 2) he advocates CIO. Instead I would read NCSS and Sleepless in America.

Your baby is way too young for sleep training, and his sleep patterns are going to change so much from week to week. Just watch for when he is sleepy, and put him to sleep. My DS always always faught sleep (as in, even when I was trying to rock/nurse him and he was TIRED he would scream in my arms) but I never tried to put him on a schedule.. it would have been an exhausting, frustrating mess.

Even if YOU can't nurse baby to sleep, that doesn't mean someone can't soothe him to sleep another way. I'm assuming while you are at work someone else will be taking care of your DS? They can rock/walk/wear him to sleep, or feed him to sleep with a bottle. My DS always had to be nursed to sleep by me, but would go to sleep (actually much easier and faster) for others by rocking/walking.

[Perpetunia]

My 3 yo never would have gone to bed awake but drowsy - nursed or was rocked to sleep every time until over 2. My DD 2.5 mos is the same. I have no idea how to put a baby down drowsy but awake and have them not scream.

[madskye]

I kept a little log of when DD got hungry, sleepy, and bm'd and that really helped me. I didn't put her on a schedule, but it gave me a good idea of what her natural rhythm was, if that makes sense. So, I'd be alert to whatever times your child usually naps and then be alert to their "sleepy cues" like burrowing into your arms or blinking or starting to fuss. Then I'd bring her to her room, rock her in the chair, and when her eyes started to close I'd lay her in the crib and very softly rub her belly a bit. Then usually she'd stretch out and go to sleep. She was a very easy baby with the sleeping so ymmv.

I didn't see if you have a crib or you are cosleeping, but if you do plan on using a crib, I think the best thing we did was to spend time in DD's room every day, I'd fold laundry and put her in the crib and turn on the mobile, give her a toy and talk to her, while I straightened up or whatever, and then pick her back up and walk out. I think it got her used to the surroundings, she knew she wasn't always in there alone, and I think she found her crib very comfy.

[jenrett]

Thanks for all the tips. I feel better now about not having a baby on a "schedule". A schedule isn't what I was after, at all, but just a more well-rested baby. He seems to be tired a lot, and really fighting sleep. I am focusing now on just getting him to sleep as much as I can, no matter what time it is.