Respond to Your Child's Night Wakings
All babies awaken during the night. The question is whether they can settle down and get back to sleep. (Newborns and younger babies are the exception, since they typically require night feedings.) Babies learn to do what parents expect of them. Do the least amount of intervening so that your baby can discover how to calm himself and get back to sleep on his own.
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Instructions
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Wait a few minutes if your baby awakens at night. Give him a chance to get back to sleep on his own. Even if he fusses or cries, delay going in.
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Respond minimally. If he seems unduly distressed, go into his room in a quiet, calm manner. You can say, gently, "You woke up. What is it?" Your presence may soothe him.
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Try to figure out why your child is crying. You may need to change his diaper. A younger baby may need to be fed.
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If there is no obvious reason for the distress, talk to your baby. Tell him, "It's nighttime, time to go back to sleep."
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Rub his back if he's still crying. Your touch may help calm him.
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Pick him up as a last resort. Taking a baby out of his crib, walking or rocking him will reinforce his behavior, and he may begin to expect this response every time he awakens.
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Tips & Warnings
Keep your baby in a predictable routine. If his meals, naps and bedtime are predictable daily events, his sleep habits will eventually fall in sync. Avoid overstimulation during the day.
Keep the lights low if you go into your baby's room. Avoid a party atmosphere. If he sees that it's fun to be up at 3 a.m., he'll have a reason to continue the behavior.
Remember that calming down and getting back to sleep - snuggling with a blanket or sucking a thumb for comfort - is a behavior that babies learn over time.
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Comments
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jen87
Aug 13, 2009
Have you tried the 5-miunte method, or something like it? Lay him down in his crib, say good night to him and then leave the room. When he starts to cry you go back to him and calms him down, says good night again and leav the room. Do this untill he falls asleep. Do it at least for a week to make it work properly. Im doing this whit my 3,5 months old son and now i just have to check on him once or twice then he sleeps real good. Hope this can help you! -
MamaGreenwood
Jan 31, 2008
I have tried everything to get my 8 month old on some sort of a nap and sleep routine but he's been completely unresponsive. If I try to let him "cry it out", he'll cry two hours straight. If I try to sit nearby and soothe him without taking him out of the crib, he stands himself up and bounces holding on to the side of the crib, talking and laughing. Even if he's tired, even with low lights, white noise, soothing lullabies, no noise, nightlights, whatever. He just won't go to sleep when I try to put him down. The only time he'll go down is on my breast, and with his teeth coming in I know Now is the time to wean him of that. The question is how... His dad works 12 hr days and isn't around for his sleep routines, and so its just me and I am getting nowhere. Help! Please, I am begging...
