Teach me to teach DS to fall asleep on his own

[JustMeAndHim]

DS is 4.5mo. He used to sleep in a crib next to me. Would bounce rock him to sleep to start the night and then he fed to sleep the rest of the night. Day time naps have always been ropey but essentially he bounced to sleep.

Around 7-8 weeks ago everything went to the wall. He will no longer feed to sleep in the night and bouncing him to sleep is really hit and miss. He falls asleep on me but wakes as soon as he goes down. He will bounce to sleep for naps in the day but again I can't put him down. He will sleep in his pram or the car but normally after crying hysterically for 10 mins.

I'm absolutely on my bones and have no idea what to do. My only thought is that this is my fault as I've not taught him how to fall asleep by himself 😢

[Lighthouseturquoise]

He's too young to have developed bad habits.

From what I've read their sleep changes at 4 months. Their sleep becomes more adult like and is no longer passive.

I found it a good age to start off a routine.

I chose a time that coincided with last feed, say 8pm, then do a bath, cuddles, book and feed. Offer a comforter, a dummy, teddy or blanket then off to bed.

Of course it won't work straight away but I found doing the same thing every night they got it in the end and knew it was sleep time.

[GeorgeTheThird]

Well he needs to learn to fall asleep himself without the bouncing or motion. I'm afraid you will have to let him cry a bit. Ten minutes is about right at the beginning. It gets shorter very quickly. Some people don't like to do it though. It's not your fault and it will improve very quickly.

[JustMeAndHim]

Thanks.
We do already have him in a bed time routine.
Those were my thoughts as well George. Think we will be trying that tonight

[GeorgeTheThird]

Good luck. Have a watch with you, a minute of crying can sound like forever! Remember, they cry when they are tired. That's why they are crying. That's all it is. Make yourself go away for a few minutes. One of mine used to fall asleep mid yell, but it only went on for two or three nights and they are so much happier when you have taught them how to get to sleep.

Xx

[GeorgeTheThird]

And sometimes they do that muuurrrr muuurrrr noise after the initial cry which is really cute.

[JustMeAndHim]

Thank you!! Got DH to do the first bit and it took 18 mins. Think the middle of the night will be more interesting! He looks so shattered, bless him. Then again, so do I haha! Did you use this for naps too?

[GeorgeTheThird]

Yes, but as long as you are really consistent at bedtime naps don't matter quite as much. I used to put them in the cot in a dark room at naptimes too, but obviously as they get older they drop naps so they get their own ideas about whether they will nap or not. And you might be out and about so the full set up might not be possible.

Well done, your baby will be so much happier when he gets better sleep. Hope the night time wakings (if there were any) went ok.