Do babies need down time?

AllieSchmallie

For the past couple of weeks, we've been putting Jonah to bed at his usual time (7 - 7:30), and he has been spending at least an hour rolling around in his crib and playing with his pacifiers. He seems SO tired when we lay him down, so I don't understand why he's not falling asleep immediately. I mean, rubbing his eyes, fussing for no reason - truly worn out. Is it normal for babies to play in their cribs before going to sleep? Should we take him out of the crib if he's wide awake after we lay him down, or should we let him relax and go to sleep when he's ready? I don't want to feel like one of those moms that just puts her kid in the crib and lets him tend to himself, but I'm starting to wonder if he just likes that down time before goes to sleep? He's not crying in there, and he's all smiles if we go in his room after we lay him down. Any thoughts/advice?

Meg41208

Yes, they do need to learn to wind themselves down and soothe themselves to sleep.  If he's not falling asleep immediately, it could be because he is really overstimulated and he does need that extra quiet time in the crib just to chill.  I think that as long as he's not crying and screaming, you should just let him be!

warriormomerin

Meg41208:

Yes, they do need to learn to wind themselves down and soothe themselves to sleep.  If he's not falling asleep immediately, it could be because he is really overstimulated and he does need that extra quiet time in the crib just to chill.  I think that as long as he's not crying and screaming, you should just let him be!

I agree. DS still does this and he's 2 1/2.

JLPT830

I agree with PPs.  Do you have a pretty good bedtime routine?  That has always helped my DS wind down a little and know it's time to get ready to sleep.

AllieSchmallie

JLPT830:

Do you have a pretty good bedtime routine? 

To be honest, this is something we need to be more consistent with, because it's been lacking. Definitely something I should focus on while I'm home with him for the summer...

Mrs.Cooley2bee

DD does it all the time as well, as long as she isnt super pissed I let her be.

Missbollinger

We've had a 6.30pm bedtime for a long time now and generally Henry is very ready to fall asleep by then even with the sun blazing outside.  This is our normal bedtime for him and he is used to it.  If we let him stay up a little later he just gets overtired so its really great for date nights  

Both my boys have set bedtimes and it works really well for them.  DS1 goes to bed at 10pm in the summer and he is 13yrs old.   

Henry will probably get a later nap time when he is abut 2 or when he drops to one nap a day but I don't see it any earlier.  12-16 hours of total sleep and down time a a day is what is recommended for his age and he needs every minute of it. 

Moesten

Meg41208:

Yes, they do need to learn to wind themselves down and soothe themselves to sleep.  If he's not falling asleep immediately, it could be because he is really overstimulated and he does need that extra quiet time in the crib just to chill.  I think that as long as he's not crying and screaming, you should just let him be!

Exactly.

If he is not upset/crying/complaining then this is perfectly fine unwinding/down time for him. Just as you need time to chill and decompress, he does as well. It's also a good thing that he can self entertain for a period of time. This pattern sounds fine to me.  

Klmorgan83

DS does it all the time.  He doesn't really fuss, or make any noise actually, but once we put him down for naps and bedtime, he usually lays there playing with his lovey's for about 15 minutes before he falls asleep.  I just let him do his thing

bgsugrad

We always had a pretty strict routine at night which was a huge help getting DD to wind down (starting with dinner, 1 tv show, bath, 1 book, prayers, in bed, etc.), and now, as a toddler, it's the very same routine and she knows exactly what to expect each night.  Also, I found that when DD was a baby and she was being fussy early, I went ahead and put her down early b/c we found she slept better the earlier we put her to bed instead of waiting until she got too fussy b/c then it was harder to get her calmed down.  I think the biggest thing is consistency - this worked best for us.