So lately I’ve been trying to train my boy to fall asleep on his own. He is almost 9 months old, and until now, I’ve bounced him to sleep (on an exercise ball) while singing songs. It worked in the past, but now he cries and tries to get away from me. I needed to try something new.
But training him to fall asleep definitely has its obstacles:
- I’m not comfortable letting him cry alone in his crib. I know some people do it, but it’s not cool for me. My son knows I am here for him, and when he cries, there is always a reason.
- When I put him into his crib awake (or even partially awake), he laughs and starts playing. What does he play with? The crib bars, the sheets, his hands, his clothing. In other words, anything.
- He doesn’t use a pacifier, which is generally good, but using one would probably help him soothe himself to sleep.
- He doesn’t use a “lovey” (a special sleeping toy). He really hasn’t taken to anything. And even if he did, he’d just play with it.
So this task is definitely not easy. How am I doing it? I’m very loosely following The No-Cry Sleep Solution, which is a great book for anyone who wants their baby to sleep more without forcing them to cry it out.
Last night was day one. I changed him and fed him for the night. He was nearly asleep but woke right up when I put him in his crib. So I took him out and sang a couple of songs. His current favorites are “This Old Man” and “There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly.” Oh, and he also enjoys “Rainbow Connection” and “What I’ve Been Looking For.”
I put him back into his crib, patted his back as he thrashed around and even started crawling. I had to keep telling him to lie down and go to sleep. He didn’t, of course. So I picked him up again and rocked him for a minute, then back into the crib for more pats on the back, which led to more thrashing.
I could tell he was tired and trying to go to sleep, but it took probably 1/2 hour of me patting him and taking him in and out of the crib. I left him in there as long as he wasn’t crying or trying to stand up. Thankfully, he didn’t cry. But he did try to stand a few times, which is when I would take him out and start the cycle over again. Eventually, he found a comfortable position and went to sleep. Oi.
Let’s hope he gets the drift soon. I feel confident that he will.
littlest bird 