I need some reassurance! It is very hot at the moment and last night when my 14 week year old woke up, I tried to initially rock her back to sleep with no success. Then I breastfed her and she still wouldn't settle. The only thing I can think of is that she was too hot because she usually sleeps from 7pm to 10pm and I dreamfeed her while she's sleeping. I got pretty fed up and she felt hot and she wasn't calming down in my arms so I just lay her on the bed next to me, shhhhed her, stroked her and spoke calmly but let her cry . She cried pretty hysterically at one point but eventually it was only sobs and then she started chatting to me, cooing and singing and then I could see her eyes get heavy. She then fell asleep but it felt cruel!
Today, as it is pretty hot again, I decided to really persevere with her napping in the pram rather than on me in the sling. Because yesterday it felt horrible for me carrying her around in the sling to get her to nap. She was happy in the pram for about half an hour initially and then the crying started. I let her cry and cry for about half an hour on and off. All while patting her, jiggling the pram and letting her know I was there for her. She was fed and her nappy was clean. She just isn't used to the pram or struggles to sleep in it. Usually I'm happy to let her nap on my in the sling but it's so damn hot! Anyway, she eventually settled, exhausted and is now napping in the pram (she fell asleep after two turns in the park), I went home because I was desperate for the toilet. She's napping in the pram in the bedroom.
Am I cruel?! Is this going to negatively affect her? After letting her 'cry it out ' last night she slept well and woke up this morning bright as a button. I guess I just presumed 14 weeks was a little young to start letting your baby cry themselves to sleep.... Any words of advice or reassurance?