How to get baby to go to sleep independently (self settle)

[jsep]

I have a 5 month old who i would like to get him to learn how to get him to sleep on his own instead of me rocking and holding him to sleep.
He sleeps on his own in pram and sleeps in his next to me all night (once i have rocked him to sleep and i transfer), sometimes wakes around 4/5ish and we bring him into our bed.
i have tried to let him lie there and have shushed him but he just whinges and eventually gets overtired, he also really fights his sleep.
we have established a bedtime routine and go off wake windows through the day.
any tips/methods on getting him to self settle himself to sleep?

They just eventually do when they’re ready. I think there is a desire for some magic plan or strategy, but I simply found that they did when it was easy for them. They learn when they find something that works to soothe them without being distressed. At the moment, it sounds like movement and being close to you works. That’s pretty normal. You could try doing more cosleeping and more shushing and rocking while lying down, but that isn’t necessarily easier.

5 months is very early days and you sound like you have a baby who already sleeps unusually well. I wouldn’t mess about with anything. Sleep often goes pear shaped for a bit between 6 and 12 months. If what you’re doing is working, I’d honestly keep doing it and get sleep.

I thought you were about to say your baby wakes four or five times a night (totally normal), not that they slept through until then. You have a little baby who needs comfort - eventually he'll need less and be able to settle himself. But that's highly unlikely when he still can't move to meet his own needs.

Agreed!

This method helped us but slightly older http://www.mybabysleepguide.com/2010/04/change-your-babys-sleep-association-for.html?m=1 but we used it to reduce breastfeeding and the finger under the chin worked really well. I think the key is to be consistent so introduce whatever strategy you want use at night when they are the most tired, get them used to it then and then hopefully they will be able to use it later. To be honest though sleeping to 4-5 is good anyway.

I also agree!

My 5 month old occasionally does settle themselves to sleep in their bed for the night. Not often - maybe twice a week or so? We didn't do anything to make that happen and more often than not he is either breastfed, cuddled or rocked to sleep.

He wakes frequently overnight though! As per PP I really wouldn't be trying to change anything at all with your baby's sleep for fear or upsetting the apple cart and finding they start waking up overnight. Unfortunately they may start to do that soon anyway, as baby sleep is so random and changes all the time, but for now, just do as you're doing and make the most of the good night sleep!