My daughter is 5 months old and sleeps through the night. But when it comes to napping, I can't get her to nap in her crib or anywhere except for on me. I know this is my fault because I would always want to hold her, but now I'd like to get her napping in her crib, so I can try to get things done around the house. I put her down when she is starting to fall asleep, but she cries. I also tried putting her down asleep, but she cries then, too. At night she is fine and puts herself to sleep in her crib and soothes herself back to sleep. Should I be letting her cry it out at nap time now?
I didn't read all the responses but have you tried a vibrating bouncy? My baby only really liked to sleep on or near me and then I started using that thing and it worked like a charm! You don't need all the extra stuff like the music and the toys htat move on thier own.
Mine is the safari bouncer, it has a toy bar, an attached blanket, and it vibrates. That thing was awesome. I was sad when she grew out of it. Try that, it worked for me.
If she's used to you holding her she's used to the body warmth, the feeling of being held and your smell... My son was the same way...We ended fing out that if we started swaddling him again in one of my t-shirts before he fell asleep it was much easier to lay him down elsewhere.... Babys also get used to background noise. If she's used to hearing the tv or whatever while sleeping on you I would suggest making sure theres a talk radio show on in her room or something to that effect....
Hope that help, these are just a few of the things that worked for us when we had the same problem!
Hi M.! Well, if you really want to have some time to yourself (and I suggest you do) you will have to teach her to sleep without you. I had to do the same thing with my son. It took about a week of hard work. I started with my son on my shoulder for a few min, but before he was sound asleep, i put him in his bed. i stayed with him until he went to sleep, put soft music on, binki, etc. I kept this up for about a week, each time staying with him shorter and shorter. Yes, he did cry a little, but it did not take more than a few naps for him to get the idea. And I was always there outside the door even if he was crying. Now, 5 months later, he still naps like a dream! Best of luck!
Try lying down with her on the bed. You can "spoon" and put an arm over her so she feels your closeness. (Put a few pillows around her on the other side, top and bottom to keep her from rolling off the bed.) Then, when she falls asleep, gently back away and put a pillow where you were. This worked for us. Good luck!
I feel strongly about NOT letting babies "cry it out". At this age, (according to the parenting books I read), a baby's needs and wants are the same. A baby cries because she's sad, or lonely, or frightened. She needs to know that someone is around to take care of her.
Good evening M.. You have recieved some responses, and to some I agree. I found that just letting them know that you are still there is the key. She is 5 months old, and should not be left to cry it out. Maybe when she is 8months old that is ok, but to this day, my daughter is almost 18 months, and if she is crying, I will sit tight for a bit, but if she starts to CRY or scream, I am at her side. Putting her to bed awake in her crib is going to be better. Let her find her way to soothe herself. It will be harder for you then for her, and that is the god awlful truth.Set a routine. Start on it ASAP.
Please let me know how it goes...I am dealing with the EXACT same issue with my 8 month old daughter.
Thanks -
M.,
THis is a very personal decision, as much as it may not seem so. THere are very different philosophies in this country about raising children and I think this is one of the most debated issues: letting a baby cry it out. I am personally of the mindset that a 5 month old is too young to be left to work it out on their own. My son will be 1 next week. He fell asleep either nursing or on my/husband's chest until he was 9 months old. We were, however, able to put him down. In early December, everything changed. We could no longer lay him down while asleep, which sounds like what you are saying happens. We found it helpful to establish a routine for naps and bedtime, lay him down in his crib while awake and then sit with him until he was asleep. In the early weeks, he clutched our thumb until he was asleep. Now we usually stay with him, but sometimes leave. He still likes to hold our thumb or touch us in some way, but not with the same vigor as initially. Someone once told me that babies have an 18 month gestation period, nine on the inside and nine in your arms. Someone else suggested a sling, which could also work for both of you. Whatever you do, there will be an adjustment period. Give it 2 weeks, then make a decision to change. One thing above all else, you are her mother so follow your insticts to do what is right. That may not be what is right for me or someone else. Have fun!
J.
Sophia,
Try taking one of her receiving blankets and you sleeping with it at night in order to get your smell on it. Then at first let her fall asleep on you and then transfer her into her crib with that blanket. She's looking for your smell and comfort. Also stick a toy that vibrates in the crib to simulate your heartbeat. Good Luck,
A.
Yes, you can let her cry it out. It will be hard, but she will learn to go down for her nap on her own. Once you put her in her crib, let her cry for about 5 minutes, then go in and soothe her. Tell her it's time to go to sleep, perhaps wipe all the tears. Don't pick her up! Gradually, increase the amount of time between when you come back. Utimately, she will pass out and go to sleep. Eventually, she will just go to sleep on her own. I did this with both of my children and once they sleep on their own, you will have some wonderful "free" time. I know you will most likely have to do fun, fun, fun household chores, but enjoy the peace and quiet! Good luck.
You have to know and follow your own feelings on crying it out vs baby being with you if they feel they need to. I know you have gotten other suggestions about slings, and I strongly agree. Not only for when baby wants to nap but just when they want to be close to mom (or dad, or caregiver, whoever). There are lots of great carrier options out there these days (not just Snugli and Bjorns!!). Try thebabywearer dot com for starters. If you want more resources, let me know. There may also be a local NINO group (Nine In Nine Out - Babywearing organization) near you that you can go to and see others who babywear their kids. My daughter is 15.5 months and while she now naps at home in her crib, we can be anywhere at naptime as she naps on me in a wrap or back carrier great (keeps us from being tied down to the house at naptime!).
Good Luck,
K. (NINO_DELMARVA)
Are you familiar with Dr. Sears writings on "high needs" babies? There is some info on his site, and he has also written a book called The Fussy Baby Book. http://www.askdrsears.com/html/5/T051200.asp I would get a sling and wear her during naps and get your housework done that way. I would never leave an infant to cry it out. It's frightening to them and can be dangerous.
http://www.news.harvard.edu/gazette/1998/04.09/ChildrenNe...
http://observer.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/story/0,6903,###-#...
Time for baby sophia to sleep on her crib :)
you need a break when she naps. she will only grow more and more and get you more and more exhausted :)
get her used to now. i personally, think she's too young for CIO for too long. a few min. a the time and see how it goes. do you have a music box in her crib? something with low volume music and lights?
good luck
vlora
another suggestion is to wean her off your body. let her fall asleep on your chest ands then smoothly slide her off of you. this will help her to understand that you aare two people and that she slept without you.
YES she needs to know when its bed time and nap time and some times you have to let them cry and the will when there tired cry them selfs to sleep. I know its hard to hear your baby cry but in the end the rewards are so sweet.
B.
