“Drowsy but Awake”

[Hsanderson13]

Hi Everyone,

So this is my first post - forgive me if it’s long and rambling!! I’m after a bit of guidance regarding bedtime/ nap time / sleep in general!

My LO will be 3 months on Sunday and almost overnight I’ve turned into a psychopath about her sleeping habits! I’ve cuddled her to sleep from being born but now for whatever reason I feel like I have to stop (I don’t really want to but it’s pretty controversial!)
This week I’ve attempted to start a bedtime routine but it’s pretty tough when her last bottle can be as early as 6.30 and she’s not really ready for bed until 7.30-8?!
If I hear the line “rod for my own back” once more I’ll probably cry.
I’ve also attempted to put her down “drowsy but awake” in her cot and as soon as she touches the mattress she’s wide awake again - does drowsy but awake ever work?!
Probably worth adding that once she is asleep at night she goes right through only waking if she loses her dummy which I just pop back in and she goes back over !

I hope this makes sense - any advice greatly received!

Xx

I’ve cuddled her to sleep from being born but now for whatever reason I feel like I have to stop (I don’t really want to but it’s pretty controversial!)

What’s the reason? If cuddling to sleep is working for you and for her then don’t change it.

Finding something that works is all you need.

If your OH (if applicable) has valid reasons why it isn’t working then consider them. Literally everyone else, the people not living with you, not the ones cuddling your baby.. they can jog on.

I used to feel under pressure to do the whole 'drowsy but awake' thing too even though I didn't really want to. Then one day I just thought screw it, I'm going to do what I want! I cuddled my little baby all the time, he napped on me, I breastfed him to sleep. I was warned I was creating bad habits etc etc but guess what? He sleeps through every night in his own cot really well and is perfectly capable of self-settling.

Do what you want to do op. I've got so many lovely memories of cuddling my baby and not a single bad habit was created in the process.

Urgh the pressure is horrible
What I did was just start a routine at about3/4 months...so bath, new babygro on and I did last feed in my bed, he often fell asleep on me but gradually I was able to put him down. He is now 1 and routine is much the same...and he can be put down awake and go to sleep. My issue now is to get him off the boob!

@FromTheAllotment it’s 3rd parties getting inside my head about bad habits etc. I know I shouldn’t let it bother me.. I just want to do what’s right for my baby
@firstimemamma I’m so pleased to hear that, all I get is “well such and such does this with their baby” “such and such’s baby is in their own room now” 🥱
@LL82 I’m attempting a bedtime routine now in the hope I’ll chill about the cuddling to sleep if she gets used to having a bedtime !

I just want to do what’s right for my baby

Your baby gets cuddled to sleep at a reasonable time and then sleeps through. There are sleep deprived mums on here who would bite your hand off to be able to say that

You don’t have a bedtime problem, you have a problem with whoever is being an arse about it. I would suggest getting over to the relationships board and starting a thread on “how do I get to shut up?”

What 15yo do you know that needs cuddling to sleep? (Other than those with needs but that's different) I don't know any.

I have the rod for your own back speech constantly as I began to cosleep once the 4mo regression hit and do you know what? I couldn't care less now.

My DS will go in his cot when it's time , he is 7mo and is thriving. I am getting sleep, he is. I cuddle him.to sleep and I love the bond we have. Enjoy your time, do what feels.right for you and follow your instincts.

Drowsy by awake has never worked for me. I can get away with putting baby down next to me laid down and just laying next to him but that's only in my bed.