getting a 5 mnth old to sleep...

JLYNNM121

I've sort of developed a bad routine I think... with getting S to sleep. She is 21 weeks old. When I notice she is clearly drowsy and rubbing her eyes-- I rock her in the rocking chair to sleep but if she doesn't fall asleep that way (which she rarely does) I will be lay her on her bed on her side and lay next to her until she falls asleep. She also uses a pacifier when falling asleep and grabs onto my hand. I then either leave her on the bed (if its a nap) or bring her to her crib (usually just at night time sleep). She wakes up at about two times a night wanting her pacifier back in her mouth.  

Is this a bad routine to get her to sleep? It sort of seemed like 5 months creeped up on me and I feel like self soothing her so much to in order to get her to sleep could end up being not good for her in the long run because she will get too attached to it.

Any advice on how to get a baby to fall asleep on their own? S has never done that unless in the car, stroller, or rocking chair.

mben1119

kbruington:

Waking up 2 times a night is not bad. My son was still waking up to eat once a night until he was 6 months old. </

pb_bride

You might want to read up on sleep associations and consider sleep training.  My son is 5 months and we did sleep training (after reading Ferber's book).  He is most certainly capable of self-soothing.  At night, DH does a 15-min bedtime

Caseyk1127

I think it just depends on how long you're willing to continue this routine. With DS I held him during naps and at bedtime, then at night when he fell asleep I put him in his crib. He's a paci kid too so until he was about 10 months I would go in 1-2 t

ThatWasAHoot

Try putting her down a little earlier then when she is completely exhausted.  And maybe instead of rocking her/laying with her, try and give her a routine like having a bath, reading a book, PJs and diaper, bottle/boob, bed.  I would try and not

beccalee721

My LO is right at 5 months too. She used to need her pacifier to fall back to sleep a few times a night, but then we decided one night to let her figure it out on her own for about 15 minutes to see what she'd do if we didn't come in. After a few night