i need new tricks

ladybugpjb

As moms of (almost) 2-year-olds, I'm asking here instead of DD's BMB. They don't have enough experience yet. My mom put DS to sleep almost every night, so...yeah. I have nothing left in my bag of tricks.

What was your magical combination of tricks to get LO to sleep as an infant?

I do a lot of bouncing, but my back is sore and it takes forever. I need some other ideas. I also do the 5S's if she's really resistant, but that always gets uglier before she finally gives in to the swaddle.

BnchaNums

Truth, I've just been sitting her in the rnp swaddled and then leaving her alone until she passes out. Its taken hours, but it's the only thing that works. When I've tried rocking her she stares at me furiously sucking her paci like a maniac. A quiet, dark room is the only thing that seems to calm her. Kid doesn't even fall asleep nursing, or if she does she immediately wakes when I move her. I have a little guilt about leaving her to fall asleep on her own, but I remind myself that ill be thankful when my 1 yr old can put herself to sleep.

ladybugpjb

BnchaNums said:

Truth, I've just been sitting her in the rnp swaddled and then leaving her alone until she passes out. Its taken hours, but it's the only thing that works. When I've tried rocking her she stares at me furiously sucking her paci like a maniac. A quiet, dark room is the only thing that seems to calm her. Kid doesn't even fall asleep nursing, or if she does she immediately wakes when I move her. I have a little guilt about leaving her to fall asleep on her own, but I remind myself that ill be thankful when my 1 yr old can put herself to sleep.

She doesn't cry? DD will go into full-on meltdown if left alone - swing, RnP, wherever- except for her first morning nap. I'm thinking of getting some black-out curtains, though, because it's way too bright in ALL of our rooms for good daytime naps.

Monsieur_et_Madame_Ha

One word: boobs.

Good luck!

ladybugpjb

Monsieur_et_Madame_Ha said:

One word: boobs.

Good luck!

That's my current tactic. Singing, swinging, and bouncing have all failed tonight.

Also, at first I misread your post as "books."

amywalt1684

Maybe this Isn't good advice... But I'd do the 5 S's or just butt patting until the baby was asleep while in my bed with our tv on. That way I was entertained for however long it took for them to fall asleep. Eventually they get past that angry can't settle down phase.

amywalt1684

BnchaNums said:

When I've tried rocking her she stares at me furiously sucking her paci like a maniac.

This made me giggle. Been there.

melissa0726

Monsieur_et_Madame_Ha said:

One word: boobs.

Good luck!

This is what I do, too.  The downside is that I can't seem to get her interested in a pacifier, she wants the boob for just a few minutes to help her fall asleep. 

If she's super fussy, it usually works for us to both lie on our sides in my bed while she nurses.  I get us warm and cozy under some blankets.  She usually settles down pretty quickly.  Then I wait a good 10 minutes to make sure she is totally asleep before transferring her to the bassinet or the swing. 

Monsieur_et_Madame_Ha

melissa0726 said:

If she's super fussy, it usually works for us to both lie on our sides in my bed while she nurses.  I get us warm and cozy under some blankets.  She usually settles down pretty quickly.  Then I wait a good 10 minutes to make sure she is totally asleep before transferring her to the bassinet or the swing. 

This is our nap time strategy. Except I often use that time to catch a little snooze myself

melissa0726

Oh yeah, I forgot to say white noise.  This is key!  Seriously, sometimes we're hanging out downstairs and she is fussy.  Within five seconds of walking into her room and popping on the white noise machine, her eyelids start to close.  Seriously, it's like magic!

Monsieur_et_Madame_Ha

Another magic trick for us: ceiling fan. None of my kid was ever able to resist the mesmerizing powers of the ceiling fan.

ladybugpjb

Soooo....they don't comfort nurse to sleep forever, right? I think that's my fear. She'll *usually* fall asleep at the boob (though last night I was having my doubts she'd ever go to sleep).

If she doesn't fall asleep nursing and is wide awake (like last night), I try a lot of the stuff you guys listed (except music, nursing in bed (because I'm afraid to fall asleep - restless sleeper), and we don't have a ceiling fan (just a stand fan)). Then I'll nurse her again as a last resort - I know she's full and doesn't need it, so I try to avoid that out of fear that I will be the only one able to put her to sleep. Right now I'm the only one who puts her to sleep, but someday we might actually, you know, go on a date and leave them with a sitter. (Yeah right...who am I kidding?)

So maybe I just need reassurance that other babies take awhile to fall asleep and that I won't still be comfort nursing her when she's 16?

I EPed for DS, so he didn't really comfort nurse, though he'd take an extra ounce or two to go to sleep sometimes. This whole BFing thing is new to me - her dependency on me for eating and sleeping is a bit frustrating.

Edit: that last part sounds bad. I only mean that it would be nice if DH could BF her to sleep every once in awhile, you know? Even if he gives her a bottle, he can't comfort nurse her, and he missed the newborn phase with DS, so he's still unsure about getting her to sleep, etc.

NotSharknado

I have no advice. Sophia didn't sleep until 8 months old. Before then, I rocked and held her for naps and bed time. Just want to say GL!

ladybugpjb

shanado said:

I have no advice. Sophia didn't sleep until 8 months old. Before then, I rocked and held her for naps and bed time. Just want to say GL!

Thank you, and thanks for the perspective -- you know when you're up late with a wide awake baby, it just feels like you're never ever going to sleep again. I get a lot of anxiety if I think I'm not going to get to sleep at a reasonable hour. For her age, she's a good sleeper, but it just doesn't feel like that when I've been rocking/bouncing/shushing for a couple of hours already.

JaysonandKristin

Vibrating bouncy seat bounced with my foot until he passed out. I could watch tv, read, etc. while he took the time to pass out.

Monsieur_et_Madame_Ha

ladybugpjb said:

Soooo....they don't comfort nurse to sleep forever, right? I think that's my fear. She'll *usually* fall asleep at the boob (though last night I was having my doubts she'd ever go to sleep).

If she doesn't fall asleep nursing and is wide awake (like last night), I try a lot of the stuff you guys listed (except music, nursing in bed (because I'm afraid to fall asleep - restless sleeper), and we don't have a ceiling fan (just a stand fan)). Then I'll nurse her again as a last resort - I know she's full and doesn't need it, so I try to avoid that out of fear that I will be the only one able to put her to sleep. Right now I'm the only one who puts her to sleep, but someday we might actually, you know, go on a date and leave them with a sitter. (Yeah right...who am I kidding?)

So maybe I just need reassurance that other babies take awhile to fall asleep and that I won't still be comfort nursing her when she's 16?

I EPed for DS, so he didn't really comfort nurse, though he'd take an extra ounce or two to go to sleep sometimes. This whole BFing thing is new to me - her dependency on me for eating and sleeping is a bit frustrating.

Edit: that last part sounds bad. I only mean that it would be nice if DH could BF her to sleep every once in awhile, you know? Even if he gives her a bottle, he can't comfort nurse her, and he missed the newborn phase with DS, so he's still unsure about getting her to sleep, etc.

No, they don't. I promise

Honestly, when Baby Boy was that age (and up until maybe 3 weeks ago), I was still very much in survival mode. I didn't want to create any bad habit, but at one point, you need to sleep, and so you do what you gotta do to get it, you know? 

eatmorecupcakes

Y'all are positive they don't comfort nurse forever, right??  RIGHT??!!  I am probably no good for advice as DS2 is 6 months and we just started using the crib.  Truth be told most nights he just sleeps with us.  What has been a lifesaver though is our BabyHawk/Ergo/Tula. (all different brands, but you get the gist)  I wear him a lot and sometimes he just naps on my back while I take care of DS1.  DH is in lurrrrrrve with the Ergo as it's the only way he can get our little guy to calm down and fall asleep.  Good luck!!

kjuryfl

For the first year I boobed her to bed. Once I weaned she went to sleep on her own just fine.