Sleep question

[mrsjohnson88]

Hi ladies just a quick question about sleeping habits. My lg is 12 weeks old and ebf. She sleeps well through the night but relies on me to feed her to sleep most nights. If i dont feed her to sleep she needs cuddled/ rocked/ bounced to sleep in our arms. Im worried that im creating a rod for my own back and she will always rely on me to get her to sleep. Do i need to do something now or will she grow out of it? On the occasions where ive tried to encourage self settling by putting her down awake she always gets upset and refuses to sleep for ages after xx

 

[OMGbabyno3]

Hi,

I have been going through the same thing and wondering if I'm making a mistake.

But, I remember with my first everyone told me not to carry in "bad habits" after week 5 as they'll stick. What a load of BS! I went way last it, and she was really good at self settling when she was ready.

I think just do what feels right now xx

 

[kitten2014]

we encourage self settling as much as poss but our only 'habit' we have introduced is dimming lights, turn off tv n switch on fan n keep feedings n nappy changes a quiet afair with little eye contact...she doesnt respond well to rocking at night she'll either settle or she wont...

 

[T84]

Don't worry too much about 'rods for your own back' at that stage. She's still so young. Keep going with it. We started self settling with day time naps around maybe 4/5 months then moved to night time. There will always be nights were it works and sometimes it doesn't (especially when teething) so don't get too despondent. My lo is now 13 months and will confidently settle herself unless she's unwell.

 

[littlemonkey]

Keep doing exactly what you are doing! Ignore anyone who tells you you're making a rod for your own back!

Your LO is still only three months old which is pretty young still in the grand scheme of things! And self settling is like anything else, it will come with time when your baby is ready. If you keep doing what you're doing, you're showing your LO that they are safe and secure, which will encourage them to be more secure and independent in the long run.

My son is two and has been going to sleep on his own for as long as I can remember now! . I fed him to sleep, rocked him to sleep and cuddled him to sleep until he was ready to stop those things and I'm glad I did because it's helped him settle so well.

You can see the difference yourself, if you don't do it your baby doesn't sleep and personally I would always rather a baby who slept well.

 

[LaceyKeo]

You can try rocking/cuddling until she's really dopey, laying her down but still whispering "mummy loves you" or whatever and keep your hand on her chest/tummy. If she whimpers you can softly rub/pat her until she calms. Wait for her to fall asleep then leave.
If she starts really crying, count to 30 then pick her up. Once she calms down, put her down again and repeat.
Once she goes two nights in a row with only whimpers, the next night put her down and move your hand away. Just keep quietly whispering to her.
Once she goes down with you just whispering, then the next night put her down and move away from the cot, just stay in the doorway.
Then after that, put her down, and leave.


You can try this from like, tonight, if you want, but... As other posters have said, she is still very young and I don't think you'll have any long-term issues if you carry on rocking her at this age.
The important thing is, she's sleeping. Xx

 

[mrsjohnson88]

Thanks everyone you have really reassured me. I dont mind all the cuddles to be honest I just really want to do the right thing and when you read so many conflicting things it can be difficult to know what that is! I think we will continue with what we are doing for a little while longer then give your suggestion another go Lacey. Its pretty much what ive been doing but so far unsuccessfully! Xx