Okay, my son is almost 8 months old and I feel very lucky because he really is an amazing baby. I almost feel bad coming to you guys with this after reading about some of the terrible times some of you are having with sleep issues. My son actually sleeps great. Except that he does it on his own schedule. He sleeps from around 8:30 at night to about 7:00 in the morning. He usually falls asleep in my bed and then I just move him to the crib. If he wakes up, he will usually cry or "fuss" for 5-10 min and then fall back asleep in his crib. After his first feeding in the morning he will usually fall back asleep for an hour or so, and then he takes a nap around noon for an hour or two and sometimes even another nap for about 1/2 hour late evening. My question is this - I don't "put him down" for a nap, he usually just falls asleep when he's nursing or he just rolls over and goes to sleep. And its usually on my bed during the day. ( I can usually move him to his crib without disturbing him, but why bother, Its not like I'm trying to sleep in the bed, and he sleeps in the crib at night) Is this going to sabotage me when he gets a little older that he doesn't have "set" naptimes or bedtime?
Also, how do you put a baby that isn't tired to bed? We don't have a real bedtime routine, he just falls asleep when he's tired! We don't give him baths every night b/c I don't get home from work until 7:30 or so and then I need to feed him & he falls asleep!
I know this sounds like a dream to some of you, but I feel like its all going to come crashing down around me at any minute because I don't have a routine to stick to. Please advise...leave well enough alone or force him into some kind of schedule?
My daughter was the same way. She is now 5 yrs and still sleeps like a champ! I just let it be and she pretty much stuck to it. It was also very easy to change her bedtime when we needed to, when she started school. She took naps until she was well into being three. Good luck, although I don't think you'll need it!
Babies and children need routines, however, these routines should be designed around your family needs. When my children were little, bed time was 9:00 to 10:00 pm - this was because dad didn't get home from work until 8:30 and this way they would get to see him every night, and they would take a long nap in the afternoon. If your son's schedule is working for you, don't try to change it.
I would be cautious about him falling asleep in your bed. You don't want him to learn "mommy's bed is where I fall asleep".
Your son sounds lovely! And it's not that it's going to be so awful when he's older, it's just that it's more challenging to change behaviors once the kids are smart toddlers. :) So if you don't mind him doing what he's doing now, then don't worry about changing it. If you want him to be able to nap on his own, in the crib, then now's the time to work on that. If it's really not a big deal, then why worry about it?
When he's napping on the bed, does somebody nap with him? Do you have rails to keep him from falling off? That would be one concern. When he's older (or even now!), he'll likely try to climb off the bed on his own, if you're not there with him. And that could be a safety hazard. Just something to think about.
Also, I think it sounds like he's going to bed pretty late! It's hard, with you getting home so late. If you get a lot of good time with him earlier in the day, then is it possible for someone else to put him to bed earlier? I know that sounds dreadful to you, but it would probably be good for him to have an earlier bedtime. Then again, he sounds like he's getting plenty of sleep. So maybe not!
The fact that he can soothe himself back to sleep on his own is SUCH a good sign. Eventually, you may want to have him do that when he first goes down at night as well.
This wasn't very helpful advice, was it? I guess it boils down to this for me: routines do tend to work well for babies and toddlers, but your son sounds like he's thriving. So go with your gut here, and follow his cues!
don't fix what isn't broken woman! :) I think it sounds like things are going just fine for you. I didn't nurse, so my son (18 mos) strictly falls asleep in his crib for naps and bedtime. I think once you stop nursing, whenever that may be, you'll get into a routine of putting him in the crib at certain set times. And trust me, you'll know when he's tired and ready for bed! :)
Lynsey
I have 3 little ones (3, 2, & 2 months) who were/are all somewhat great sleepers. I spent way too much time stressing about this kind of stuff with my oldest and now realize that going with the flow is the best thing to do. It doesn't sound like there are any real sleep problems or issues with your son so I would just keep things the way they are.
Especially since things will likely change in the next few months once he starts teething and waking at night from the pain. That will likely alter his sleep schedule.
Ok I would recomend looking at the "schedule he has" and beet him too it. Watch him for a couple of days If he falls asleep as soon as he is done eating then put him in right after he is done eating. Look at the time of day he falls asleep if he crashes at 4 pm then put him in his bed before that every day. If he cryes give it a little bit he will go down, if he starts right off with the heck no cry then maybe he is not ready yet but if it is a winny broken i am not too happy cry let him go.
I do not give my kids a bath every day either 1 they have VERY sensitive skin and get rashy if I do 2. Bath time is not wind down time for them it is like giving them caffine, I will never go to sleep. If they need one they get one, but they are not getting dirty so they do not need one.
honestly i dont think its going to be disasterious. I say so long as u have him on a routine and he does'nt give you a hard time with sleeping in his crib then ur fine. I am very routine with my sons sleep. He is 17 months and he sleeps from 8:00 at night after giving him a bath and a short story he is sleep or if not sleeping in his crib usually on his way to sleep. and does not wake up until about 7:00 a.m.I think it is great that u post ur sleep patterns up so moms can know that it is possible. just tell them how u do it. There are times when i dont giv hika bath and even times when i dont put him to bed at 8 but his routine happend more then less so. he knows it very well and it gives me time to myself to relax. I believe when you have no routine them you have a situation that will lead to disaster. I think my son enjoys his schedule and knowing that he can predict it. it sounds like he is on a schedule but ur saying he isn't. of course there are night he doesnt bathe but he's just a baby. thats fine just so long as he maintains sleeping at 8:30 and waking at 7:00 am thats great. try to keep it that way
i think that the baby hasn[t learned to put himself to sleep as well as not learning to fall asleep in his own crib. yes, at some point you may have a situation on your hands.
I would leave it alone. He's on a schedule - even if its one that he's determined. It the same schedule my son is on - but we have to work a little harder on it now that hes older. IF its working for you then I wouldn't try to force change, change will come eventually and it may not be so welcomed at that time.
My son is 7 months and is on the same schedule..I figured out months ago to go with what works for YOU and what you feel is the best for him! My only issue right now is fussiness at night...I think from teething...not quite sure! good luck
Some babies are just good sleepers, and don't need much of a routine to go to sleep. What you're doing (or not doing) is clearly enough for your son. Lucky you !! The only thing I would change, though, is to put your son in his crib when he goes to sleep. He needs to learn that is where he sleeps, or you will have issues later.
Thank God you have a good sleeper and leave it alone. He has already set a great schedule and there is no nee to mess with a good thing. A.
Dear A.,
It sounds like you are very lucky to have such a great sleeper, however the one concern I have is safety. The crib really is the safest place for him and if you put him in the same time each day with maybe some music on he will do the same as he does on your bed. If he doesn't fall asleep that's fine its not like his crib is a punishment its just a place he goes to rest. Once he becomes a toddler it is going to be difficult to get him to nap in the crib or stay safely on the bed (unless you lay with him) It sounds like you have a great routine for him now and if you have bed rails to protect him from falling off then I guess its not a big deal. My preference would be to put him into his crib for safety. It is almost better to put him in before he is overtired and then he can peacefully fall asleep. Some people do well without schedule or routine you have to do what is right for you and your baby, however I can't function without schedule or routine so to each his own. Good luck and happy holidays!!
