What mom doesn’t get that pang in their heart when standing outside their babies room while they wail? Teaching babies to sleep on their own is definitely tough, but absolutely necessary.
According to MomLogic.Com, keeping a routine with bedtime is very important. Put together a peaceful atmosphere that encourages sleep. Laying your child down yourself while they are sleepy but awake is best. That moment between when your baby is sleepy and when they fall asleep can be really hard. If your baby is having a difficult time falling asleep unless they are swaddled in your arms, then try laying them down to fall asleep on their own. Check on them in intervals of five minutes. Let the baby cry it out (no you’re not being a bad mother), this helps the infant learn independence. Usually, if you stand by the door unseen, the baby will fall asleep quite fast.
Your baby can’t always rely on you, if they do then they will never learn to rely on themselves; which surprisingly, starts around four months old. Plus, you don’t want a screaming baby in your bed to ruin your marriage or your health. Try a little bit of “crying it out” at a time, then, sooner than you know it, your baby will be a great sleeper all on their own.
“Many babies have learned to sleep great this way and they’re so happy when they get good sleep nutrition… If I keep helping her, she’ll keep relying on us to get her to sleep and we’ll be miserable during the day when we’re supposed to be loving,” Family therapist Jill Spivack, LCSW, coauthor of “The Sleepeasy Solution” and cofounder of Sleepy Planet, Inc., she’s also an expert on sleep training.
Having a hard time with your baby crying it out? Talk to a family pediatrician, maybe they can help. Even though you may be exhausted beyond imaginable measure, studies show you do not have ‘baby brain’ – you are brilliant!
Related Posts:
Previous post: Preschoolers Aren’t the Only Ones Who Need Naps
Next post: Exercise Can Help Ease Anxiety from Chronic Illnesses
