If your LO soothes themselves to sleep for naps...

Huffy_12

...how long do you let them fuss or whatever in their crib before going to get them? Unlimited time? 30 minutes?

I'm trying to get DD to soothe herself to sleep for naps (bedtime is never a problem since she zonks out easily then), but for the past few days she has been quiet at times and then whines on and off for about an hour before she finally falls asleep. I feel like such a meanie! But I know she doesn't need a diaper change, she's eaten, and I know she's tired.

Am I doing the right thing by leaving her be to "figure it out"?

 

amm826

My DS is younger but I'll let him fuss for up to 20-30 minutes and will give up and try again a half hour later if he hasn't fallen asleep.  He is definitely starting to protest when I get him near the crib and I think when they get to that stage it's probably okay to have them figure it out!  I think of it like the little kid who will never go to bed if you just let them stay up and play.

rockchalkbride

DS will talk himself to sleep in about 10-20 min.

VAannie

I don't do anything if he's only fussing/whining.  If he's actually crying, I follow the Ferber method and give up after 45 minutes to an hour if he's still not asleep (which very rarely happens).

I just started purposely keeping DS awake longer between his naps and now find that he very rarely fusses anymore.  Even though he appears tired around the two-hour mark, he seems to not REALLY be ready to nap until closer to the three-hour mark.  Just thought I'd throw that out there as an idea... 

Huffy_12

RN536:

If it is only whining on and off then i would leave her. My DS will "moan" himself to sleep most days, sometimes taking 20 minutes but if it is full blown crying I won't let him do it more then 5 minutes or so because then he usually needs something.

She's definitely not crying... she'll be quiet, then I'll hear a whine/cry for about 30 seconds. Then she's quiet again for a while. This goes on & off for about an hour. Then she finally zonks out. Maybe she is just stubborn? Don't know where she would get that from

cactus5

If  it is not crying, just an occasional whine, I would let it go 30 min. or so before I check. My son will do this while playing in his crib sometimes, but if he gets really upset (he drops his lovey and pacifer over the crib) I will go check.

grinsandgiggles

I listen to the fusses to see which kind of fusses they are.  Most of the time his "fusses" are him putting himself to sleep (which is anywhere from a few seconds to 15 minutes).  He has stronger fusses that I know will turn into cries and aren't him soothing himself to sleep.  I go in for those.