Another sleeping question...

Melissa, Ryan did not sleep in his crib consistently until he was 7 months old, so I'm not sure how much help I can be!!

Anyway, Ryan always slept in my bed and therefore napped on my bed also. Which was a NIGHTMARE as he got bigger because I was trapped in my bedroom to make sure he didn't roll off the bed. BTW, when he was really little he napped in his car seat or the bouncy seat...

Once we did try to move him to his crib for nighttime, he was up every half to every hour and would only sleep in my arms - as soon as I put him down he would flip out and start crying. Until around 4 am when he would stay there until 6. Some nights I was just so exhausted that I would give in and take him back to my bed so we could all get some sleep!

Finally at the 7 month mark, I let him cry it out at night...no Ferber, I just read a book called Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child and it resonated with me (I tried all the others - No Cry, the Baby Whisperer, etc...they never worked for Ryan). After 4 nights he started going down happily in his crib at 7pm and now stays there without a peep until 6 or 7 am. 2 weeks later I started letting him cry it out for naps and now he naps there for at least 2 - 3 hours a day! He actually looks forward to getting into his crib! I can't make him nap with me even when I try!!

Caiden may still be too young for this -- personally, I wouldn't do any sleep training until after 6 months. Until then, as I said, I was a wimp and kept him with me, so I'm not sure I can be much help. All I can do is give you support and sympathy, because I've been there!! It will get better eventually!!

I have the opposite problem. In the beginning Damien slept fine in the co-sleeper. Now he only sleeps in our bed.


Lee I will be following your advice and when he is 6 months(also when I go back to work) I will take the time to train him to sleep in his crib

Stacey, I just have to say that as much as I absolutely positively LOVED having him in my bed, it is now such a huge relief to just put him down for naps or sleep and just 'walk away'...he is much more comfortable now that he moves around more and Bob and I find that we have more time for us and husband and wife, which is sooo important! Plus, I can finally get some stuff done around the house during the day -- including my consulting work...it has been a huge plus for us all. But it had to be done when I was ready to do it...it took me 7 months, but exhaustion finally won out!! It's better for Ryan in the long haul!! Enjoy every second with Damien in your bed!! I did...some nights I really miss him!!

stacey thanks for your post - I am trying not to beat myself up over having sophia in bed w. me. Its just hard to let her cry because I need the rest!

I will take your advice and not try to instill too many regulations until she's a bit older. But any books anybody suggests for then would be really helpful!