Putting my 8-month-old baby to sleep

Hi joannamarie089, I really sympathise with you, having had two boys whom I unintentionally encouraged the 'not-learning-to-fall-asleep-by-themselves' by rocking them to sleep either in my arms or in the rocker. Trying to get your baby as tired as possible before bedtime might help. So if your routine is to bathe your daughter before bedtime maybe throw in a baby massage while listening to some very gentle music. The key is to keep the ambiance calm and peaceful to induce sleep and prepare her for the transition between daytime and night time. Unfortunately this is where 'tough love' is required. Although it is easier said than done once you've put your daughter in her cot/crib for bed at night you've got to make a quick exit after giving her a kiss and cuddle, place her in her bed and cover her up. If she has a favourite toy or blanket that makes her feel safe, great. Gently whisper to her 'good night' and leave the room quietly. You might want to leave the door ajar and if she cries instantly, leave it a few minutes before you go in. Each time you have to do this you've just got to gently reassure her that you are there (whisper something like 'it's okay Mommy's here' cover her up again if she has kicked the bedding off and again, leave the room. The advice is to leave each trip in between a little bit longer each time until baby eventually falls asleep. It may sound cruel but it's not; you are teaching your baby a valuable lesson that she will need for the future - to be able to settle herself to sleep and this includes if she also wakes in the night. I know how hard it is to implement this, especially when your baby is screaming. Personally I would never leave a baby screaming. Crying is one thing, but if it gets to the point where she is just too upset (or better still before she gets to that point) I'd have to intervene and rock her to sleep, leaving the above strategy for another night. IrishGal77 :)

Hi Joannamarie, my baby is four months old. I did the same way as you are doing I hold her hand and when she sleep I leave her in her crib. I always feed her first right before she nap to make sure she won't wake up because of hungry (she is still in liquid diet). Maybe you can try sit by her crib and feed her and hold her hand so when she falls sleep you don't need to put her down and she won't wake up because of that. I am with you 100% I don't do the cry-it-out method either.

hi there! well, i have gone that phase with my 21-month old son and until now he is co-sleeping with us. although he does not used to swinging, i am singing lullaby to him every night. a little tap then he is asleep but sometimes it does not work and depending on his energy that needs to be used, he will stay wide awake at night till 9:00pm. babies are really different from each other and what works for one will not surely work with another. but try to stimulate your baby by putting the lights off and playing some soft music or lullaby. also, having a sleeping pattern is very important. i hope these will help you.

I haven't gotten to the 8 months old mark yet, my baby is only 4 months old (almost 5). Though my sister in law has given me advise for then the time comes for getting a baby / kid to sleep with out laying with them or doing the 'cry it out' method. So I thought I'd share what she's told me to do. Do your normal routine, lay them down, tuck them in...etc... then sit in a chair across the room. Let it be dark and everything, and sit there for about 30 minutes. If they get out of bed you just quietly direct them back into bed. If they get scared / say anything you can say quietly, "mommy's here" or something like that then go back to being quiet. After 30 minutes, you get up and walk out of the room. Just stand outside the door though. Then you can do the same thing, if they get out of bed, direct them back. If they cry / holler, let them know your still there. Once they are getting better with this, you can shorten the time you spend in the chair and outside the door. I think the method the above poster posted is also a good idea. I'm hoping not to run into this problem (probably just wishful thinking XD) as I have my baby falling asleep on her own with out me needing to be there already. I just lay her down, tell her good night, turn on the mobile, give her binkie, turn off the light, and walk out of the room. I'm sure once that binkie is gone though, it'll be a bit tougher getting her to fall asleep. Good luck!