I wrote in awhile ago about wanting to put my 9 month old down in her crib and have her go to sleep on her own. I just wanted to let you know what we did. It was quite a long process but I am happy with where we have ended up.
First I used your technic of pressing the cheek to stop breastfeeding to sleep an then we walked and bounced her to sleep.
After that I walked her to sleep in the stroller for awhile because I felt that she needed to learn the tools of falling asleep on her own before I expected her to do it in her crib. We also did this in the middle of the night and it really cut down on those nighttime wakings (no snuggles, but very little tears).
Finally I just put her to bed in her crib, but I didn't leave her to cry on her own (I just cant!) I stayed with her, sang, rubbed her belly, patted her chest, and calmly tucked her back in when she squirmed out of her blankets.
The first night it took her 40 minutes to go to sleep and there was some very angry crying. The next night was 10 minutes and then 5.
We have stuck with this routine. It typically takes me less than 5 minutes in the room with her to send her off to dreamland. She practically puts herself to sleep on my shoulder on the way down the hall now and just closes her eyes and drifts off. She still gets up twice to nurse at night, but sleeps for 12 hours so thats still Ok with me.
The next step I plan is to slowly move away from the bed and into the hallway, but right now she goes to sleep so fast I don't feel the need to do that right away. This was definatly what all of us needed at this time. I am amazed at how much faster she goes to sleep now.
When we were walking with her it would take 20-30 minutes and then she would sometimes wake up when I put her down.
Anyways, I just wanted to say thanks for your advice. I am really enjoying having some time in the evening to spend with my husband now.
Kyla
Baby Help Line Response:
Kyla,
I'm so glad for you! I know very well the relief when you suddenly get to be adults- not just parents again in the evening!
You obviously did a great job with your daughter and completely without any "cry it out" - excellent, in my view!
Thanks a lot for writing back, it really makes my work very rewarding!
