Awake but drowsy

sedl1lau

I did a post a couple days ago about DS not being able to fall asleep at night and people responded that I should lake him down awake but drowsy and stay with him comforting him until he falls asleep. I've been trying that the last 2 nights now and it just doesn't seem like he'll ever fall asleep. I feed him 8 oz, burp, then bed. He ends up crawling all over the crib, kicking, squealing, like he's having fun. Will he ever fall asleep??? Do other babies do the same?

ddgrgirl23

We are dealing with the same thing right now. MH has been trying to get her to sleep for the past hour. It seems like since she could sit up by herself, naps & bed time have gotten way harder. She started crawling last week and it got even harder. She just wants to sit up & I have to literally hold her down until she gives up and gives in to sleep. I used to be able to do the awake but drowsy thing every time. I have no advice, but I sympathize!

RedCamaro

Yup, plenty of babies do it because they are mobile (free will!) and because they are more aware of their environment. Who wants to sleep when you can explore?! The only suggestion I have for you is to let LO play in the crib during the day so it's not so interesting when you put him down for sleep.

It doesn't sound like your LO was sleepy enough to try falling asleep on his own this particular time. But, just keep trying with this. Move forward, never backward!

purple4u

For nap time I leave ds in his crib and he falls asleep eventually. Last week it was 30 to 45 mins this week it has been 15 to 20 so we are making progress. At bedtime he usually nurses and falls asleep immediately. If not I usually leave him in his crib with a lovey and he is asleep within 15 to 20 mins. If I stay in the room he will never sleep he will want me to pick him up.

smwiggle

When we were trying to get DS to sleep in the crib, he would do the same thing for about 45 min - 1 hour for about a week.  Slowly, he started going to sleep faster.  Just give it some more time.

jb2rn

My baby would scream and scream if I did that

It doesn't work for all kids. I think it's a great goal, and keep at it, but don't feel bad if your baby can't do this.

If he is happily playing, I would let him be. I think ds has fallen asleep on his own a few times and if he is happy and talking I just leave him.

amberlucille

Try rocking him for a couple more minutes so that he is a little more drowsy.  I will put my little guy down when he is just barely awake....He will roll over onto his belly look up at me and then I turn on his seahorse and he will look at that and smile.  I tell him good night and that I love him, then I walk out of the room.  I dont usually hear a noise out of him.  You just have to stick with it....It takes time but once he realizes this is the new routine he will fall asleep.  Lately as soon as I lay him down in his crib he will bounce right up into sitting position or stand up and hold onto the rail and jump.  I will still just say good night and walk out.  I can hear him plop back down as soon as I walk out of the room.  I wait a few seconds and then peek back in and he is asleep already.  I know he is testing me to see if I will pick him back up for a few more snuggles!  Good luck!  

mben1119

DS will NOT fall asleep if I'm in his room. We have cuddle time on the couch, and once he falls asleep I put him in his crib. It works for us, so I have no desire to change our routine at this time.

ddgrgirl23

After reading some of these posts last night, I tried letting her play in her crib until she fell asleep for her morning nap today. After 30 minutes I didn't hear any noises anymore, looked in, and she had fallen asleep sitting up! By the time I grabbed the camera she had already laid down. She's been sleeping for about 1 hour now.

I hope this isn't a fluke . Thanks to the OP and the responses!!

sedl1lau

DS has been freaking out when I leave the room, so I was trying to stay in there, watching him play for an hour last night.  I'm not sure if he'll ever fall asleep while I'm in there with him...

RedCamaro

sedl1lau:

DS has been freaking out when I leave the room, so I was trying to stay in there, watching him play for an hour last night.  I'm not sure if he'll ever fall asleep while I'm in there with him...

Right, as long as you are in there he will try to get you to interact with him or he will take longer to go to sleep (because he wants Mommy's attention).

lana22

sedl1lau:

DS has been freaking out when I leave the room, so I was trying to stay in there, watching him play for an hour last night.  I'm not sure if he'll ever fall asleep while I'm in there with him...

my LO sometimes cries out as i leave the room, but he never "cries" and usually messes around in his crib anywhere from 5-20 min before falling asleep for bedtime. naps are usually 2-5 min. i def recommend doing the bedtime routine and then leaving. there's nothing wrong with letting your LO hang out in the crib before falling asleep. mine will sometimes stand up/sit up 10+ times before finally settling down.