Has 4M DD formed negative associations with going to bed?

[greeneone12]

Hi All

For bedtime my DD goes down about 7pm. We put her in moses basket awake and every night she cries for a few minutes before falling asleep. Is this just an age thing? I feel we are being cruel letting her cry to sleep every night but she is obviously tired as she falls asleep for 7 hours after crying for a few minutes!

Sarah

Personally I would just continue to do as you're doing. Some babies just need to 'cry down' a little bit - it's their way of winding down. I have to say mine have never done this - when they cry, they just keep on getting louder and louder until you do something, but I do have friends' babies that do exactly what your baby does. If I thought my DS would go off after just a few minutes, I would definitely leave him to it.

Maybe you could stay with her and stroke her head or something as she falls asleep? I don't feel so bad about crying if they're not crying alone!

Thanks - both great responses.

I would say that if she is falling asleep within a few mins then it is not a problem really- she is not hysterical,a bit of crying won't harm her. she is just crying which some babies seem to 'need' to do beforee they sleep. ( i worked as a sleep trainer.nanny and maternity nurse BC and met several babies( including one of my own who cried himself to sleep for about 5 mins until he was about 8 months old) who had a little cry before they went to sleep- you will probably find if you try to intervene- it will result in her crying for longer and she will become so accostomed to your prescence that when she comes into a lighter sleep at night, she will fully awake and expect a bit more head stroking in the middle of the night)

I would advise you dont go in and stroke her head- this isn't necessary as she is self soothing herself to sleep( albeit noisily)if she were screaming uncontrollably for ages and ages, maybe a bit of comfort would be needed, but to start that at this stage would be real 'rod for your own back' making.

Ok thanks so much for that. Really appreciate your time.