Partner settling, when to change over

[Wonderflonium]

My five month old is having a hard time going to sleep at night. She goes off reasonably easily for naps but doesn't stay asleep long. It takes ages to get her down at night but once she's down, she's basically asleep till morning.

If I can feed her to sleep, then I do. The problem is if she stays awake past her tummy being full, then I've got nothing my partner doesn't have.

My question is this: how long should I let my partner try to get her to sleep before I come up and take over? She will lie awake quietly with me at night but get hysterical if he does the same.

Oh, he called for help after less than fifteen minutes.

I'd say whatever gets you all a good nights sleep then that's what you should do, if you can go to sleep while she's awake and settling herself then do that's always worked for us.. crying doesn't do any of you any good

I generally find that under ideal circumstances, a single primary carer (usually mum) is best doing all sleep settling for about the first 12 months (or until you get to the point where don't need to do any settling).

I appreciate that in many circumstances this isn't possible, but it does allow for the greatest possibly consistancy.

From about 12 months old, or whenever parental settling isn't needed any more, that's when Daddy takes over bedtime in its entirety in our house.

... and Dad continues to do bedtime for about the next 10 years. So I think it's a fair deal!