So Remi is approaching 4 months and he is some-what on a schedule. He goes to bed at a certain time, wakes up at a certain time and I can predict his nap times. BUT---for this past week or so, none of this happens unless we rock him to sleep in our arms. I don't want my kid to be 'one of those' kids that you have to rock to sleep. I want my kid to be the type of kid that goes to bed when you put them to bed- no rocking needed.
SO- here is goal Number 1 - SLEEP GOAL- let Remi pretty much "cry it out" 'till he falls asleep. Yea I know I know....that sounds horrible right? See-once hes starts to doze off in my arms, I gently lay him down in his swing or bouncer or bassinet and --- he wakes up!!!! I rock him, he falls asleep, I lay him down- he crys (repeat) I DON'T WANT THIS!! I would love to just put him down to nap/sleep and he SLEEPS!!!! NO rocking, No bouncing, and yea- an occasional (slight) cry -
**so-- my plan is -- When is nap time or bed time is approaching and Remi is starting to doze off in my arms, I will lay him down. If and WHEN if starts crying, I will let him cry! I want him to know that He can sleep without him having to be held or rocked. After 20 or so minutes, if he is still crying- I'll pick him up- comfort him and try it all over again.
DAY ONE- Yesterday was day one of this goal-
NAP TIME- I layed him down as soon as he started dozing off- he cried for 30 mins and finally fell asleep and took a 3 hour nap.
BEDTIME- he started dozing in my arms so I layed him down in his bassinet- he only cried for 15 mins and fell asleep and STAYED asleep for 9 hours!!
DAY TWO - NAP TIME- Started to doze off and get super cranky so I put him in his swing. This time he was out in less then 5 minutes!!
The next challenge will be bed time again. Although it breaks my heart to let him scream and cry, I know this will be better for him in the end. He won't feel like he HAS to be rocked to sleep. This will make him on a sort of schedule and help him learn when its time to sleep.
I know it is hard to hear him crying but you are doing the right thing. We did the same thing with Hayden and now it is a dream to put him down for nap and bed. After lunch I let him play no more than another 30 minutes then I simplly say "Let's take a nap" pick him up and put him in his crib. No crying, no resistance. At night I have him sit in the rocker with me starting 30 minutes before bedtime. We read books or just rock then I say "Let's go to bed" he then surrenders his milk cup and again I lay him down with no fight. At night I put on his music and humidifer. So...it does work!! Stick with it :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks Dom! It sure is hard to hear him crying...my heart pounds every time I lay him down and walk away. I feel guilty YET- I feel good 'cause I 'get a break' when I put him down..and like you said - it will help him in the long run.
ReplyDeleteHow long did it take before Hayden started catching on? What age did you start doing this?
We started when he was 3 months. That is when we decided he should sleep in his crib rather than the pack n play in our room. He has slept in his own crib through the night since then. It only took about a week. There will be times when it doesn't work so good...namely when he is sick but that is to be expected.
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