Sleep Question for a 2 Month Old

Hi! We have exactly the same situation! My daughter will be 11 weeks tomorrow. We found that we were not sleeping b/c we kept holding her on us. As soon as she touched the crib she would wake up. We decided to do an assisted sleep...when she looks tired or yawns several times we rock her, but as soon as her eyes close we put her in the crib right away. Then we hold the pacifier and put our hands on her. Sometimes we shush her. It's been about a week and she is starting to fall asleep in about 20 minutes. Our dr. said that we shouldn't let her fall asleep on us and then move her, but she should fall asleep and wake up in the same place. This is not the "cry it out" method, b/c we don't leave her until she's asleep. Just don't get discouraged if it takes a week or so and try to do it for every nap and bed time. We are also very subdued at night, low lights, no talking if she wakes up. She sleeps about 8 hrs. I don't know the answer to your question about the amount of sleep. I would imagine that he's crabby during the 1 hour it's b/c he is not comfortable, but if he wakes up and is not crabby he's probably getting enough rest. Also keep in mind that the babies are starting to stay awake longer during the day now and may not need to nap for as long. I hope it goes well!

This is typical of that age- or it was for me. I used Dr. Weissbluth's "Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child" to understand how the baby's sleep works and how to track it.

I think because he is only 2 months old you can't really worry that he wants to only sleep at a grownups chest, etc. And, I wouldn't let him cry it out yet at all - he's way too young! Wait until 3-4 months old to start sleep training him. For now I would let him sleep in someone's arms, a bouncy seat and swing during the day if he gives you a hard time with putting him down. He may also be gassy and feel better being upright. (a car seat may help that for now too because they are not lying flat) and put him down in his crib swaddled at night - that way he can slowly start to understand the difference between day and night. Other than that, you should get the book "Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child" from Dr. Weisbluth. We started sleep training our son with that book when he was 4 months old and it was the best book we ever followed. At that point I think I started to only put him to sleep in his crib day and night for naps and bedtime.

Also, another helpful thing was "The happiest baby on the block" by Harvey Karp - get the video - not the book (I thought the video much easier to follow and we got both - I never used the book). It will help with the crying and getting your baby to settle down as well. Extremely helpful to us!

Hello C.,
You didnt mention how long it takes him to nod off the first time you try to put him down. If you try to put him down a couple minutes earlier, it might help - it might not.

Do you have him propped onto his side, or is he flat on his back for naps? My children never slept flat on her back, my youngest was always propped with wedges and she slept great (she was also swaddled until she was almost 4 months old - I starting wrapping her a little looser when it was time to get her out of it.)

My other 3 children slept/played on their tummies from day one. I think alot of the worry about this is that infants have a hard time moving their heads while on their tummy. Tummy time is very important to improve the strength in their little necks and from what I have seen, lots of babies sleep much better on their tummies.

good luck

This is one of the toughest areas of motherhood. I would borrow the book mentioned below from your local library. That book is filled with great advice.

Be careful on letting him always fall asleep in your arms. It could become habit forming.

Also, I found that having a fan (or white noise machine) in the room helps my soon sleep. And, I play music for him. Those two things combined help him to realize that it is sleepy time.

I had to do the cry it out method with my son, but you are right, 2 months is too young. I think I did it somewhere around 4 or 5 months old. That method worked for me.

Good luck!!! And I hope you can get it figured out before you return to work.

I have a 2 month old as well. When I put him in the crib he wakes up and then I put my hand on his chest and lightly shake him until he falls asleep and then I walk away. he sleeps great in the crib.

Hi C.,
I would wait 20 minutes after he dozes off to put him down - it can take that long for them to drift from light to deep sleep, and they do startle themselves awake in that lighter sleep state. You can also wear him in a sling to nap, but depending on your childcare situation, that may not work in the long run.
good luck