Quote:
Originally Posted by BrotherEastman
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Okay, all psychobabble aside...I understand. Really. Our first daughter slept through the night almost immediately, but then Sarah came along, and she was completely different.
Getting children to go to sleep on their own isn't a short project. But if you're consistent and patient, it will happen. Letting them cry themselves to sleep probably will work, but if there are ways to do it that aren't as hard on the baby (and the parents), then why not try those instead? I guess that's all I'm saying.
Here are a few of my suggestions:
* Start bedtime about an hour early...it should include the following:
Warm bath
Full Belly
Warm pajamas
Rocking
Singing
Patting on the back
Dim room, so he isn't stimulated by all the pretty lights
No mobiles or light-up bed toys
My kids did respond well to those heartbeat bears or the CD's of nature sounds...playing very softly.
No TV or video or computer exposure prior to bedtime. It stimulates the brain too much.
And....when he is calm and
almost completely out, lay him in his bed, pat him and walk away. If he doesn't fall asleep fairly quickly, then pick him and start over...and again, when he's
almost asleep, lay him back down.
The trick is to put him down while he is sleepy, but not asleep. If you put him down while he is crying and wailing and upset, he'll just get more and more frantic, until he wears himself out and goes into an exhausted sleep--but that can take up to an hour or more! And who wants to do that to their child? Not me....
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