Advice on settling baby needed

[Ozziegirly]

I have a 6 month old DS who until now has been quite good at settling himself for naps and sleep. Not perfect, but ok.

But in the last week it has been taking 40 minutes to settle him for a 45 minute nap and I need some help in case I am doing something wrong.

Basically my routine is that I put him down after a quick rock, when he is drowsy. Tuck him in, patt and shh and leave the room. If he cries, I leave him for 3 minutes and then go in and repeat. If he hasn't settled then (and he normally has) I pick up, re rock, and repeat this process.

Before, it would never take more then two "rounds" of this. But now it can take 5 or 6 before he finally drops off, and instead of just a slightly moany cry, it's anguished sobs which I hate hearing.

The problem is, as soon as I leave the room, he flips over and moves around the cot, waking himself up.

Any tips on how to get him back into his good self settling routine? Or should I carry on with what I am doing and hope this is just a phase?

Thank you.

May be a wee bit of separation anxiety - 6 mo is a big developmental leap. You can try gradual withdrawal - staying with him until he falls asleep, just a bit further away each night. You can also potter round his room, in and out, quietly tidying and chattering so that he knows you're not far, popping in and out, etc. It's a common thing to happen at this age, and he may just need that bit of extra reassurance.

Awww, I didn't realise it might be that! Poor little soul.

Well, I tried at his lunchtime nap, firstly going a bit longer so he was properly tired, and then i just did everything longer, so rocked him longer, patted him longer and then pretended to sort out his drawer as he cried a bit, went back over and re patted and he fell asleep!

So thank you for wonderful advice, it totally worked.

I'm glad, but oh, if you knew the irony of my terrible sleeping ds...

Well it worked again this evening - evening sleeps have been awful for the past week and tonight I rocked and kissed for longer then quietly tucked him in and he went STRAIGHT to sleep - a miracle!

So thank you so much - sending sleeeeeepy vibes your baby's way.