How to teach a baby to self settle??

**megaminz** · 24-05-2009 13:36

Hi,

My son is 15weeks old. I am trying to get him into a routine from the new contented little baby book as I have struggled to put him in a routine previously. Its working pretty well so far but the biggest problem I have is his day sleep where I want him to sleep for 2hrs at lunchtime...

He just wakes after his first sleep cycle (25-45mins) and can't get back to sleep into his second one...he screams and screams and gets that sweaty cry on

How do I teach him to self settle and transition??? he is tired and wants to slepe but doesnt know how without dummy etc.

Dummy is no good cause moment it falls out he is awake again

I pat him but this doesnt seem to do much when he has a good crank on.

**confusd** · 24-05-2009 13:54

i used to sneak into DD's room as soon as i heard her stir, and would pat her bum and hum a tune and she would settle and go back to sleep.

DD was good at putting herself to sleep but if i didnt put her back to sleep (when she woke after 45ish min) she couldnt settle herself and would just scream.....then it would continue for several hours.

**Lily_Pad** · 24-05-2009 18:37

they say to keep bubs asleep after the first sleep cycle, you can try using the pram, the swing, etc as a 'cycle-blender'. they fall asleep while the swing is swinging or while going for a walk in the pram and when they start to stir after the first cycle you swing again or start walking again to help them stay asleep.

i'm in the same boat as you with my DD's day naps. she's a couple of weeks younger than yours

i've been trying to get her to stay asleep in the swing but no luck yet. guess ive just got to have patience and it'll happen. good luck

**DreamBelieveAchieve** · 24-05-2009 20:52

I have an info sheet that worked wonders for us

PM me your email address and i'll send it through..

DS2 was a shocker until 13 weeks, he is now nearly 5 months and is an angel! Self settles from wide awake to asleep, pretty much sleeps through the night & has 3 day sleep for upto 2.5 hours

**Lily_Pad** · 25-05-2009 08:16

Originally Posted by DreamBelieveAchieve

I have an info sheet that worked wonders for us

PM me your email address and i'll send it through..

DS2 was a shocker until 13 weeks, he is now nearly 5 months and is an angel! Self settles from wide awake to asleep, pretty much sleeps through the night & has 3 day sleep for upto 2.5 hours

Wow could I have that info sheet too??

**vickih** · 25-05-2009 11:40

can I get this wonderful info sheet too?

I'm having the same problem at the moment with my 4 month old. He does self-settle, but has just started waking up from a sleep cycle screaming because he needs more sleep. Nothing I do can make him go back to sleep, except for letting him scream for 20mins until he goes back for another sleep cycle.

It depends on how you want bub to 'self-settle'. For me self settling meant no patting, rocking, going in to comfort etc. Having said that, I taught bub to self settle at around 5-6 weeks by patting to sleep (no picking up) then gradually just going in quick pat on the chest until crying stopped, walking out, waiting 5 or so mins if crying persisted, going back in, quick pat, walking out, repeat etc. Controlled comforting basically. Now if bub wakes up, i let him cry for a bit, then he will go back to sleep.(Except for this current screaming!)

**DreamBelieveAchieve** · 25-05-2009 12:02

Sure just PM me your email address and i'll send it through

**2lovelyboys** · 25-05-2009 12:11

I know you're feeling! My second son was a really unsettled one and unfortunately he's 10 months and still very moody!
I just had to wait a few months and see what rountine he fell into, he seemed to prefer 2 x 1.5 day sleeps rather than just one big one.
I tried the controlled crying and it didn't work for him (it did for my first). I found that he would get more upset after seeing me come and go again.
Good luck, it's very stressful!

**twoscompany** · 27-05-2009 21:12

Hi there I'm just new to bubhub and have just started reading some forums.
I can exactly relate to this. My DS is 4 months old and I can't seem to go a day without a major battle when it comes to sleep. Usually he goes off to sleep in the morning without too much drama, and sometimes at lunch time, but he often wakes after 40mins obviously still tired but cannot get himself back to sleep. As day carries on, he definintely won't self settle in the afternoons. I've tried going in regularly and patting, shhing, stroking etc, but he seems to get more hysterical when he sees me. So I tried just leaving him to cry but he gets so worked up and he doesn't give in. Takes ages to settle him down if I do give in and pick him up. We were having good sleep routine only a few weeks ago, but it's all gone down the drain. Don't know what to do. I've tried everything i did with my first.
Dummy also seems to be a problem, should i get rid of it.
Going insane!!!

**trellios** · 29-05-2009 12:32

Originally Posted by DreamBelieveAchieve

I have an info sheet that worked wonders for us

PM me your email address and i'll send it through..

DS2 was a shocker until 13 weeks, he is now nearly 5 months and is an angel! Self settles from wide awake to asleep, pretty much sleeps through the night & has 3 day sleep for upto 2.5 hours

can i have it too? my email is noorhida@yahoo.com