i'm just curious because i have seen lots of opinions on the best way to put a baby to sleep - at what age do "no cry" technique kids usually sleep through the night, and what age do "let 'em cry" technique-ers usually start? just curious for the future - my son is 18 months and has slept through the night pretty independantly since about 2 months. i never just let him scream without checking on him, but there were some times that he fussed a while before falling asleep. he was a "tummy sleeper", there was nothing we could do about it. at about 2 months, we gave up and put him on his tummy, and he almost immediately found his thumb, and started sleeping all night. just wondering for future kids we might have, because i know my son was unusually easy...lol. thanks!
When Emme was 6 weeks we got so sick of the rocking and trying to put her down only to wake right back up routine that we just let her cry. It took one night and 20 minutes and she's slept on her own (12-13 hours at night and a 2 hour nap during the day) ever since. It was the best thing we ever did!
Hi! Our son, now 10 months, has been an exceptionally easy baby and has been sleeping through the night since he was 8 weeks old ... not through anything we did! : ) However, I did read a great book, "Becoming BabyWise", which has some great ideas that really make sense. A friend of mine recommended it. She used this method with her two children, at the same time, despite several years difference in age. It is not hard, doesn't involve a lot of letting the child just cry, although some. Our little one loves to play and "fuss" before going to sleep. It amazes me how, even so young, they fight going to sleep! LOL It must be human nature!
Blessings!
G. <><
It sounds like you have done a wonderful job with your baby so far.
As for what is normal, every single child is different and the approach that works with one baby may not work for another. Your best bet is to start with your gut instinct (which has obviously done you well so far) and if that doesn't work, then start seeking out books. Crying it out has worked for a lot of my friends and their kids are perfectly well adjusted. It is not easy, but it rarely takes more than a day or two.
For us, the key was always putting our son in his own bed and always putting him down slightly awake from day one. By doing this, I think we advoided a lot of the problems some parents face later. He was a breastfed baby, but still slept 8 hours straight through at 5 weeks and 12 hours at 8 weeks. He is a happy, well adjusted kid and was breastfed for a year.
We did have some issues a couple of times later that I think were related to separation anxiety, which is a normal stage most babies go through. In those cases, I would sit in the room until he fell asleep, but always on the far side from his bed and I wouldn't talk or make any noise. My being there seemed to be enough to calm him and let him fall asleep on his own. After a day or two, I would then sit outside the door and eventually he went back to being the champion sleeper.
Dear Carrie,
I congratulate Brittany, but I am a "no cry" supporting because of brain development studies.
Therefore, my best advice/suggestion is for you and your husband to read the two most competitive books on the issues. Also check out the "9months in/9months out" theory. Then wait and see what personality each of your children will have, then decide with your husband, just like you have already achieved with your first little guy. Sure sounds like you two have done and are doing a great job!!!
Kudo's, M. N.
The best advice I have is...do what makes you feel comfortable. It obviously worked, so just go with your child's instincts. I won't let my baby cry a lot and it works just fine for me. I think you are way past the "cry it out phase." Just don't play the "poor me" card if he/she won't sleep, unless you're willing to endure the cry it out technique. It sounds as though you've got it under control. Every child is different, what you do for one, might not work for the other. Consider yourself lucky for having an easy little one.
