How do I get her into a bedtime routine?
LO is 8 weeks old and I'm finding it impossible to form some sort of routine at night. She'll fall asleep anywhere between 10 & 1am (even though I don't let her nap past 6!) and the times she feeds at night change all the time. I'm going crazy from lack of sleep and trying to keep up with her, please help!
by DaniAndLayla 13 July 2010
At 8 weeks old it is nearly impossible to get them into a routine! It's only at around 6 months that you can alter their routines. Some babies will just settle themselves into one in a few weeks/months but others don't so just wait until that 6 month mark and then try.
Do you put her in her cot to fall asleep or put her in there after she is asleep. I found it easier to comfort/rock my girls to sleep and then put them in bed - then after 6 months you can start putting them in their cot and let them try and fall asleep on their own.
I know it's hard not getting enough sleep cos i still don't 4 years later (although it's not as bad!) but you have to nap every time they nap even if its for 20 minutes it really does help...leave all the housework or whatever you have to do until another time, sleep is more important right now x
by LittleMumma 14 July 2010
I do rock her and she nearly always falls asleep in my arms, it's just as soon as I put her down she starts screaming. She's fine when she's in my arms, she just doesn't like being layed down.
I thought I just had an awkward baby, I didn't realise it took so long to form a routine - now I feel daft haha.
Thankyou
x
by DaniAndLayla 14 July 2010
Don't feel daft I've got 2 and I was extremely lucky that they both made their own routines at 2 and 5 weeks, but have plenty of friends who's children still aren't sleeping through at 2 years old (but dont worry most babys dont take that long!)
Have you tried swaddling her in a blanket whilst rocking her, she might go down in her cot easier that way? Sometimes I would hold them 5-10 minutes after they fall asleep just so they drift deeper and then put them in their cot. Let me know if you have any luck and if not i'll try and think of something else xx
by LittleMumma 14 July 2010
It sounds horrible, but controlled crying is the only way in my opinion. I put my son into a routine at 3 weeks.. He'd have a bath just after 9, a bottle after and bed at 10pm. Took me three nights to get him use to the routine and he'd go to sleep within 5 mins of being put in his basket. I gradually brought it down then at 5 weeks he started sleeping through the night, 8pm-8am. From 9 weeks he did this every night
bliss!!! However, do not leave your baby to cry for more than 2-3 mins without checking on them, no more than 5 mins at most. I use to set myself tasks... 'Ill wash these dishes then Ill check, Ill put these bottles in the steriliser then Ill check...' Always ensure they are not crying for a reason other than attention ie. they are not hungry, wet, cold or hot. You can tuck them in again or replace a dummy but dont make lots of noise or talk loads to them, or turn the light on. If baby becomes really destressed you could sit with them and talk to them soothingly but dont remove them from the cot or they learn that crying means getting picked up. Never ignore a screaming baby, always check on them, but if they dont need attention dont give it to them.
Tips for getting them to sleep - baths work wonders, especially one with lavender. Keep the atmosphere calm during there last feed (no bussling about in the background etc) and rocking also helps. I use to do the same as @LittleMumma - if he fell asleep while I was rocking him I'd keep doing it for another 5 mins to make sure he was actually asleep and id gradually stop rocking as I laid him down. Another tip is to give them a cuddly toy or a blanket that signifies bedtime to them. If you can try carrying the toy/blanket under your top for a while before bed, then baba will be comforted by the smell of you.
HTH (hey, I used it!!!) xxxx
by ryansmummyuk 14 July 2010