Sleep training advice

[FirstTimeMumDec2020]

Hi,

I have recently put my 3month old in his cot in his own room because he has gotten too big for his Moses Basket.

Putting him down to sleep is a struggle. It seems as soon as he hits the mattress he kicks off crying.

We did try letting him cry it out once but I couldn't last and picked him up. I just don't know how long is too long to let him cry. I start to worry if he needs changing or if he's hasn't has enough bottle. Sometimes he will settle for a few minutes but then will kick off again.

It's getting a bit much and I seem to be getting upset myself most nights.

I know every baby is different but what worked for you? All advice appreciated. Thanks x

He is 3 months old, too young for sleep training to to be in his own roomX what worked for me is keeping my baby close and cuddling them.

I don't think sleep training is recommended until after 6 months.

I know it's hard but try not to get stressed/upset about it, it's completely normal and worrying about it will just make it all so much worse.

Could you get a small space saver cot or a crib for your bedroom if you can fit it in to ease the night wakings for you atleast?

Its not what you want to hear but neither of mine slept through the night until 2.5/3 years despite trying various methods of sleep training. My youngest was a cling on and I had to sit beside her bed/pretend to go to sleep until 16 months every single night or she would get so worked up. - I'm not saying this to freak you out, more a reminder that it will pass and one day things will just sort themselves out.

At three months I didn’t leave my little ones to cry at all. I did try and put them down awake a would let them fuss but any actual crying and I would pick them up and feed/cuddle to sleep. If they were fussing I would just hold my hand on their tummies or stroke their faces.
Does your little one have a dummy? You are very unlikely to be able to put baby down to sleep awake without a dummy in my experience. Babies usually need to suck or be rocked to sleep.

Sleep training is not recommended at this age, please don't let him cry. Are you trying to put him down awake? Lots of babies won't tolerate this, how does he cope if you feed/rock him to sleep and put him down when he's in a deep sleep? I know it's really hard, my 6 month old is a difficult sleeper. I'm working towards settling him in the cot very slowly, first separated feed and sleep, now I rock and pat him to sleep and will try to move towards patting him to sleep in the cot over the next month or so but when he was 3 months old he was fed to sleep and cuddled on the sofa until we went to bed. Honestly don't worry about forming habits now because it could all go out of the window if you have a bad 4 month regression. Just do whatever works to keep you and baby happy.

Also I'm not sure if you're aware that safe sleep guidance says they should be in the same room as you for sleep until 6 months, 2-4 months is peak risk time for sids so I would really try and find a way for him to be in with you until he's at least 4 months old. Maybe a travel cot if the big cot won't fit?

I just kept cuddling mine and putting them in their cot asleep. Just have to keep doing it! It helps if you can put their cot in your room if you have space? 3 months is very young and they won't be able to soothe themselves to sleep they will need you.