how to encourage a baby to self settle

[mamma1mia]

I am really interested to know about how to get a baby to self settle. Is is something they should be able to do from birth or does it take time? Is it possible for all babies? I would like to be able to encourage my little one to self settle (LO 14 weeks old) but she does not seem to be able to do it. Any tips?

My mum really helped me with this, advice like when she is happy, put her in the moses basket so she thinks of it as a nice place to be, cuddle her wrapped in a blanket and lay her down to sleep on it so it smells of you, try not to let her sleep on you (no matter how lovely and cute it is) but instead if she is asleep, put her in the basket. This was from about 3 weeks old but she was a very relaxed baby. Still needed cuddling lots though, which was alright by me! Once she could suck her fingers she could self settle no worries!

Hopefully people will be along soon with helpful tips, more suitable for the age of your lo. Enjoy the cuddles while they last, DD now goes down in her cot at 7 and sometimes I miss her! (Not often though )

DD1 had to be taught to self settle and it took months. I started putting her down asleep (and hoping she would stay asleep!) and then gradually over time starting putting her down very sleepy, then a little sleepy, then nearly fully awake and then eventually awake. It took months but we got there in the end and now she is an excellent sleeper.

DD2 is a different story though, she is much calmer and from about 3 wks old has been able to self settle. Just shows how different they all are.

Thanks for the tips, it is so nice to hear tips from other mums. Thank you both