Still crying at bedtime 5MO

[greeneone12]

Hi All

About a month ago I posted that my 4MO DD had a bit of a whinge when we put her down to sleep. Forward 1 month and she is still having a moan when we put her down for the night. We tried staying with her and sushing and patting but it just makes her more angry.

She is not screaming, just moaning and it only lasts a few minutes. I just don't like the fact that every night she is crying herself to sleep - she won't be rocked as it just agitates her.

Are we mean? :(

no i think some babies just do this as a wind down ritual - as in it's part of the falling asleep process. as long as she is not propery upset and it's only a few minutes i wouldn't worry!

Ok thank you :) x

Having a little moan makes us all feel better and more relaxed - it is the same for your little one and probably makes for a more contented sleep!

My DS did literally cry himself to sleep since he stopped feeding to sleep at about 3 months till he was probably about 10-11 months.

We tried all the methods to avoid controlled crying til that was our last resort. We went in with a weaker version (checking no less than every 3 minutes) but nothing worked. Wish we'd realised sooner he just wanted to be left alone. He would cry but when we finally gave in to letting him cry he would cry for no longer than 10-15 minutes most nights (worst nights could be half hour) then he'd sleep peacfully through til morning.

Now he happilly goes to bed at night and for naps and usually babbles for a few minutes before falling asleep.

While I know it's not a popular opinion on here or with most people tbh I think we made it hard for ourselves and DS by not biting the bullet earlier. It's distressing listening to them cry but I feel we prolonged it by not trying it earlier. Feel guiltier for not doing it sooner than for doing it IYKWIM.

That said 5 months is probably still a bit young to leave her to cry it out. We didn't get to that stage till maybe 8-9 months. Should have tried it at 6 months though.

Sorry, that was loooonnnggg!!!

When is it actually crying it out as she only moans for a few minutes and then drops off? I am really struggling during the day for naps as well as am trying to make her nap in the cot and she is having NON of it. She just cries until I bring her downstairs and then drops off instantly in her chair!

My DS mumbles and moans himself to sleep. He's a very happy and settled baby, but gets very upset if we interfere with him when he's trying to nod off. We first noticed at around 8-10 weeks I think, went with it and it works fine. I go to him if he's actually crying but if he's just moaning I leave him to it. He's 11 months now and still does it.

DD was very different and we cuddled her to sleep, she would never self settle until she suddenly decided to at around 1 year.

Personally I'd say that if she drops off for naps in her chair then just let her assuming it's safe and works for you. They do change so it won't be forever.

I wouldn't worry about that at all, OP. A bit of moaning and full-on hour-long screaming are very very different things. My eldest has always had a bit of a grumble at bedtime - as she got older, it turned to singing or talking to herself.

Agree with other posters. DD1 would moan herself to sleep too- actually sometimes she'd cry for up to 10 minutes but then she'd drop off. She stopped at about a year, and now either goes straight to sleep or chats to herself.