So I'm holding my four week old son. I've fed him, burped him and changed his diaper. I rock him gently and his eyes droop. This is what they call "drowsy but awake" right? So I put him down and he's immediately wide awake. This is where I need help. Do I:
a) pick him back up and rock him all the way to sleep
b) walk away and let him cry for 5-10 minutes to see if he goes to sleep
c) stand by him and pat his belly and give him back his binky until he sleeps
Which one do you do, what works? They never mention crying after the "drowsy but awake" line so I get stuck here and usually my kids just sleep less and less until they're old enough for me to let them cry it out, but if I can nip it in the bud that would be way better. Thanks in advance!
Let me specify that I know he's to young to cry it out, I'm wondering if maybe five minutes would let him do it himself. Rocking him and holding him would be great, but I have four others that are home with me all day so sometimes it's not an option. We co-sleep at night, but day naps are my particular problem when my kids are less than 12 weeks. Thank you!
Hi A.-
I only have the one baby to go on, but I would rock her til she fell asleep until she was about 3 months...
I would strap her in the swing though and she'd conk out sometimes, it's funny how you forget what you did when you had a newborn, even though it was only like 1 year ago!!!
Good luck, I hope you get more helpful responses than mine, :)
A., do what is most comfortable for you. What I did in the beginning with my 3 kids (until they were 3 months old) was that I would rock them until they fell asleep and then I would gently transfer them to their crib. They usually woke up and I would then pat them for a few minutes until they quieted down and I would sneak out of the room. After that I let them cry it out for a few minutes. Usually the crying will soften if they are tired. If they are not tired then their crying might get louder and louder and you should pick them up and comfort them. Make sure you snuggly swaddle your baby before you rock him. This way he still feels like you're holding him when he's in his crib.
Hope this helps. Above all, trust your instincts.
I concur! Do what you have to for about the 1st three months. We did to where we'd get our kids drowsy and sleepy. AT points with our son, he is almost 7 months is that w would let him cry and check every 10 minutes giving him his pacifier and patting him and shssss! Try the combination. Good luck.
A.,
Four weeks is still so little. Afterall, just think that it was only 1 month ago that he was connected to you 24/7. He still needs to be near your as much as possible. Until 3 months of age, rock him to sleep or just hold him. Also, make sure you swaddle him in a blanket. Sometimes, it makes you rest too just holding them on the couch or rocking them. Forget the dishes,laundry etc. All those friends and family who I am sure asked if they could help....there you go. Ask them to cook a meal and bring it over or come and fold your laundry or something while you hold the baby. After 3 months, try to get him on a nap schedule and lay him in his crib when he is sleepy and then try all of your options above. He is way too young right now to cry himself to sleep. The world is so big,new, and scary right now and before you know it he will be 1 years old. Take care and good luck!
