Bouncing Baby to sleep

[ICUmum]

My LO is 5 months old today! We had a very intense start with her- she was quite colicky until just over 4months old. She is still quite fussy at times and high need, which I really don't mind as holding her all day is not hard for me at all. What has been difficult though is the yoga ball! We discovered it during her colicky time- it was the only thing that would calm her down, if she would calm down at all. Now, we must use it if we want to help her go to sleep. She used to fall asleep in my moby wrap, but now she does not like it at all. We carry her in the bjorn during the day but she will only be in it if she is facing out, so falling asleep in that is not an option. She will NOT go in the stroller no matter what direction she is in, we have it stored away and I wonder if we will ever use it! She will fall asleep in the car eventually, but that is the only other place she will besides the ball. I have tried weaning her, by only bouncing a bit then rocking, swaying, or just holding her, but she gets very upset when she realizes we are no longer bouncing! WE are having to bounce her up to 20 minutes before she will fall asleep. WE try to follow her cues and as soon as she looks tired we will try. DH likes to wait a bit longer, but I try and do it sooner- it is not consistent which method works better! She no longer will sleep with me  which has been very hard. When she was first born, she was a horrible sleeper- she would not nap! It really worried me. We finally had success with the bouncing, then after she fell asleep, I would lay on the couch with her asleep on me- we did that for a couple of months. She now will nap in her room because we have it very dark and a fan going but even then her naps are very short and few (a couple of 30 min naps per day). Anyways, I am rambling. I was just wondering if anyone else has had to wean a baby from bouncing or has any other ideas that we can try? My back will be very happy TIA!

[boater]

Just wanted to offer some sympathy. My DD is almost 4 months and we were in that same place with 20+ min of bouncing on the yoga ball until a week ago when she suddenly decided she could be nursed to sleep (side lying in bed). It's heavenly! Sorry no advice though, she just came to it on her own. good luck!

[Maurine]

We bounce to sleep as well.  But maybe there is hope...I've found that it's taking less and less time!  DS is 4 months.  We now swaddle him and put him in the ring sling (facing us, with leg pouch hanging out the bottom...so fairly tightly), and bouce for 5-10 minutes before he's out and can be (carefully) transferred to his bed.  Are you swaddling for night-time sleep?  We have to use one with velcro but it works for us!  Or perhaps wearing her in a sling while on the ball?  It's so much easier on our backs.

[ICUmum]

Thank you!!! I hope that will all of a sudden happen for us too! It is good to hear others out there have experienced the same thing! I used to love when my DD would nurse to sleep side lying in bed! So wonderful. Maybe she will surprise me....

[ICUmum]

Maurine: we stopped swaddling her last month- only because she likes to be on her side and slightly on her tummy, but I had thought of it! She used to love to be swaddled to sleep, maybe I could try it for a nap and see how it goes! I used to always use the moby on the ball and that helped my back but then I couldn't get her out once she fell asleep. I would like to try a ring sling, I have been researching a best one for us. I have fears she will not like that as well, but at this point, I am feeling sorta desperate! Then again, even if she doesn't like it, maybe the next child will, right! ;)  

[Just1More]

Ds was a bouncer.  He also would let us sit with him facing out on the yard swing and swing really, really high.  I spent so much time on that swing.  I felt like a prisoner.  Anyway, mostly he was like that because he belly hurt.  Is there any chance she has tummy trouble?  That also could explain her short/no naps.  He would wake up frequently and easily because he needed to burp, or because he was just plain uncomfortable. 

We had a mini trampoline in our living room for our older dd, and I found that really helpful for ds.  I could at least stand and bounce then....way easier than balancing on a ball or having to use my own legs.  Maybe that will give your muscles a different option. :)

[ICUmum]

She does have tummy trouble! We have been treating her for acid reflux for a couple of months and reclining her etc which has really helped! I love the trampoline idea! Sounds like fun, I actually think my friend has one I may be able to borrow....

[RosemaryS-F]

Can you try a vigorous rock in a rocking chair?

[Hymanroth]

I know how you feel!! My son loves bouncing - even if I'm bouncing around in my ergo he always falls asleep in it :)