Am I stopping him self settling by going in before he actually cries?

[SkilpadsMom]

Hi, I am a fisrt time mum to my DS who will be 12 weeks old on saturday. He is a very laid back baby who very seldom cries at all, and has been an ok sleeper.

I EBF on demand, and he seems to have started himself on quite a regular pattern of eating, playing and then yawning etc prompting sleep. This happens every three hours. He usually goes to sleep in about 5 minutes of me just holding him to get him sleepy and heavy eyelids, and then he goes in to his crib very sleepy and drops off.

recently, he has taken to waking himself up 5 minutes after this, and not crying, but lying there and naffing/noises. I can tell that he is upset not just talking, but he isn't actually crying

If I leave him he doesn't go to sleep but equally doesn;t cry - eventually I go in to help him to sleep by shh/patting, and this usually works. Am I stopping him learning how to self settle, and put himself back to sleep? or are noises his way of asking for comfort?

I know as far as sleep problems go this is not as bad as others are dealing with but i want to start properly and not make a rod at this point!! any comments /opinions appreciated.

i'd prob do the same as you tbh, maybe leave it longer periods of time b4 u go back.e.g 1st night go in after 2 mins, net night 5 mins etc

I agree with pinky perhaps just leave it a bit longer before you go in each time. If your not actually having to pick him up and are just shh/patting then that's pretty good going.

You could also try puttimg him down sooner i.e before the eyelids get heavy (although sleepy snuggles are lovely!)

Thanks - will try it tonight! its lovely to be able to ask anything and get some advice.. what a gem mumsnet has been to me as a first time mum - its so daunting!