Needs Help Putting Baby to Sleep

You might not like my answer, but, you could try to let her cry it out, (she will eventually stop and sleep.) You will have about 3-4 hard nights, but then, the tough part is over. Laying her in her bed asleep is the no no in this situation. At 9 months, she should be laid down drowsy but awake. She will teach herself to fall asleep on her own which is the BEST thing I ever did for my kids.

Another note, if you're not already using a white noise machine, try one. It downs out all noise that she would hear. You outside the bedroom door, parents talking, siblings, and the sleep is deeper and restful! I would buy every mother a noise machine if I had the money! It's a life saver.

You're probably going to have lots of responses say to let her cry, but it seems as if you are her security and she doesn't want to lose that, who would? If you can't find a toy or doll to help, why not try sitting by her with no touching until she falls asleep. You could sing to her or play some quiet music. I couldn't let my babies cry because it was too heartbreaking. I hope you find something that works. Good luck tonight!

She is 9 months old... this is a growth-spurt time... the need increased intake and they get hungrier... which reflects their growing... and increased intake needs.
Per our Pediatrician, I nursed my kids on-demand for the 1st year. 24/7. Especially at growth-spurts... a baby gets hungrier. If their intakes need do NOT keep pace with their changing development or growth... they get hungry. Not able to sleep etc.

Lots of things occurring at these periods... growth-spurts (which occurs every 3 months), teething, need for comforting, gas, hunger, separation-anxiety, over-tiredness (which actually makes it harder for a baby to sleep), over-stimulation, lack of naps (which makes a baby have difficulty sleeping and going to sleep and being over-tired) etc. And sometimes is it ALL these various things going on at the same time... in a baby. It is hard for them too.

Your baby is normal.
I know, not easy. But 'sleep' for a baby and child... will ebb and flow... and hit tweaks and phases. And it changes at each age-stage they are at in development.

Just keep to a routine... make sure she is napping too... or perhaps she can sleep in a "sleep sack." This helps some babies.

I know its not easy.. but it won't be like this forever... your baby is still very young...

all the best,
Susan

With my oldest daughter we figured out that it wasn't so much that I was there but the change in temp that woke her up. From your warm hand to nothing which is then chilly could be what is making her notice you're missing.

I dk I had the same issue! but it does get better. I did read the no cry sleep solution and the sleep lady that I liked them both a lot. good luck! xo

Both my sons where a couple months younger when I did the transition. From the beginning I did a lot of co-sleeping and they slept holding my hand while I rubbed it (comfort for both of us). I took a silky/fleece blanket and wrapped it around my hand and over time they gradually rubbed the blanket and didn't need me. I even have pictures of them falling asleep and you can tell they're rubbing the blanket. Oldest hasn't needed his blanket since around 4 and my 2 year old is fine switching blankets. I even see him rubbing the blanket in the middle of the night sometimes.
I truly believe when a child has become attached to their parents, something should replace it. I would hate to be left alone with nothing. Of course I feel this way because I also saw this with my brother and sister. Rubbing a comfort item, mom was able to put them into their own bedrooms at an older age. (My brother had a thing for the tags on my mom's pillow, so she sewed it onto his teddy bear...problem solved)

She probably likes the fact that you are there and cries when you're gone. Unfortunately, I think she's testing you, to see how long she can keep you with her. I don't know how you feel about the crying it out method. It's so controversial. Some are for it and others aren't. It's really up to you on what you can handle. She will eventually learn to self soothe herself except it's going to take time. I know you want it to happen now but I can't make any promises. Sorry. So good luck.

I love the aquarium that was mentioned in the first post. It plays for like 20 minutes. My inlaws have the older version, mine is the newer one, with a remote! I just thought that was the coolest thing ever. To be honest though, I still lay with my baby (16 months) untill she falls asleep. She doesn't hold my hand (she has her squishy pillow she hangs onto) but I have always held her little bottom and patted it till she went to sleep, and I still do it. Once she's asleep I sneak out of her room. Maybe try leaning away from the hand thing. Like rub her back, or something so she is still comforted. That way when she falls asleep you can easily escape without waking her up? Hope you find something that works! =)

Fisher Price has some really good night time crib toys. One is an aquarium another is a rainforest themed one. They light up and play soothing music. Plus they have a large button on the front so your child can turn it on by herself. I got one for both my girls when they were young and it works great. But it sounds to me like she just likes the comfort of you being there. You could try to let her cry it out a little and see just how long she will go until she falls asleep. I was prepared to do that with my second daughter but when I put her down with that toy and walked out of the room she didn't even cry. She just watched it until she fell asleep.

I took parenting classes and what works fantastic is to get the father to put the child on his chest and sing to her. The voice and vibrations are very soothing and reassuring.

Hi Leandra's Mommy!

I hope this finds you well.

Until a few weeks ago, my now 18-month-old daughter used to fall asleep on me. What I did first was put a pillow on my lap, which she would fall asleep on and then (and this is the key, I think) after waiting at least 5 minutes (10 is safer), I would pick up the pillow, with her on top, and put it in the crib. Then I would slowly transfer her off of it.

More recently, she was falling asleep on me or next to me, so again after 5-10 minutes, I would pick her up and slowly put her in the crib.

I think the key is that you wait a certain amount of time--too little and she'll wake up, too much and she'll wake up. You have to catch them at the right time in their sleep cycle.

Dr. Sears has a great article to understand children's sleep better, if you're interested, on his website, which helped me a lot.

It sounds like you're on the right track. I pray these suggestions help an she'll start staying alseep when you put her down.
Good luck!