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Advice needed for the pick up put down method for an 8 month old please!

1 reply

ZanyScroller · 08/09/2026 11:18

Hi, can anyone who's tried the pick up put down method please share some tips? Baby is 8 months old and wakes around twice a night for bottle feeds. Already uses a dummy for naps and night sleep but for naps in the day, when I try this method there doesn't seem to be a consistent "drowsy but awake" period. The first couple of times she will look a bit drowsy so I'll put her down but then she'll sit bolt upright and start thrashing around the cot. Then I try picking her up but it gets to a point where she just starts crying with her eyes closed in my arms. I have to basically settle her down then with her eyes still closed and when I attempt putting her back down again she cries like mad. It gets worse the more times I try putting her down. Eventually she falls asleep in my arms, which is exactly what I want to avoid.

I've tried leaving her in the cot between pick ups to see if she can self soothe to sleep but she actually just gets more and more active! I've also tried not picking her up when she's crying and just patting her back or making shushing sounds but it doesn't really do anything.

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Peonies12 · 08/09/2026 11:59

We only did it at bedtime, that is usually easiest as they are tiredest then. Just do whatever works for naps, we mostly did naps out anyway as rarely home all day. Two wakes for a bottle is great at that age! If you want to do pick up put down I'd allow time for it at bedtime and make sure you are feeling calm and patient, eg not hungry or needing the toilet!

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