3 Month Old Won't Let Dad Put Her to Bed.

C. -

My thought on this is that it is a phase. Our son did the same thing with wanting me and then once he was around a year old or so then he didn't want mommy at all for bedtime, it was daddy's thing. He goes back and forth and from what I can tell it is completely a phase thing. Our daughter is doing the same thing currently.

Kelly gave some good advice. You may also try putting her to bed together for a while. That way, so won't be scared of this bigger than mom person.

My son is 2 1/2 and he still will not go to bed for his dad. If his dad even comes into the bedroom at bedtime my son takes him by the hand and leads him out. I too exclusively breastfed, so I think that contributed to it. Next time around I will pump some and let my husband feed our child every other time to avoid this bedtime mess. He has had to put him to bed a few times but it has always taken him a good hour to get him calmed down enough to sleep. I just look at it as my special bonding time with my son, sometimes it drives me crazy, but I just have to keep reminding myself that he is only young once, and the day will come when he only wants his dad.

As for the sleep training, I am not familiar with that either so can’t be of much help.

At that age, if she is telling you she wants you....that means she needs you. For an infant, needs and wants are the exact same things. I think it is best to make sure you schedule time for her every night so she can have you rather than her father, because she apparently needs you more right now. I don't think that it is healthy or safe to make your baby "scream and scream and scream"--I just don't see how that can help anybody. Indulge her now, because if you do, you'll have to give less of yourself later. How nice that your baby is so attached to you--IANAD but I know it is perfectly appropriate and healthy for a baby to prefer mother over father at this age.

It will take time, maybe start by having dad help you put her to bed, and then each night have him do more and more of it until he is doing it on his own. example have him but on the PJs and do the diaper change but you lay her down or rock her while you are sitting beside him.
Babies like what is familar and routine so you just have to switch the routine. Or if she really resist and won't settle down for him maybe wait and have him try again in a few weeks.

this is probably a combination of bonding and stranger issues.

although dad is not really a stranger you definitly have the stronger bond having been there more hours of her day. at 3 months 6 9 and 12 children go through a clinging stage. the earlier two being the one parent they are most bonded to then the others being the one they have learned to miss. especially at 12 months.

as they grow they will continue to go through these phases. back and forth between the two.

i've never heard of sleep training so not sure what it consist of. but hope the info i had helps.

:)

I agree to start including dad in the night time routine. At about 3 months we started my sons routine. His daddy would carry him up to his room and while i nursed him his father would read to him. then we would lay him down and say good night. Some nights if he just wanted time with me he wouldnt nurse with my husband in the room. but if he is always there then your daughter will accept it as the norm. but listen to her requests if she doesnt want him there at all he should leave but keep trying everynight. just bring it on gradually.

maybe do it together for a while. having dad do parts of your routine. she may just grow out of it.
good luck with sleep training. it took us a while. baby steps :).

Sounds like you have a mom's girl for right now. My daughter was that way also. But give it time and she will come around. Try to have dad hold her for awhile so she can get used to him five minutes a night then increase a little every night. Soon she will come around. She knows you inside and out. She doesn't reconize his smell, his heart beat, ect. He just needs some bonding time. Try pumping and let him feed her before lying her down. This may take up to two weeks for her to start to relax. I know your both are tired but it will come in time. Good luck!!

If you want to start sleep training then I would get the book
Good Night Sleep Tight by Kim West. It is great. It will help you with a guideline and ways to start sleep training. We used it with both my kids and it is amazing how well it works. And the best is you don't have to let them cry it out. The book is quick to read because it is sectioned off by age and goes all the way up to age 5. It also has sections for routine busters like holidays, illness, travel, etc. I hope this helps.