Drowsy but Awake? - Leeds,AL

I went through the same thing with my son who is almst 11 months old. I would say to just let her try to figure it out on her own. When she kicks up her legs, etc, she is trying to get comfortable and I used to think...get the last bit of energy out. I am not a big one to let my boy cry it out, but as long as your daughter is not crying....she seems to be working it out.

Do you stay and wait till she falls asleep? I found that it's easier if I leave the room while my son is going through that part. As first he would get very upset when I left, so I would stay. Then gradually I moved closer and closer to the door...and eventually I could walk out. He now puts himself to sleep everytime, unless he's sick....and then of course I give lots of love and hugs...and rock him.

I hope this helps you a little.

I would also leave her until she gets upset. My daughter reacts the same way when I first put her into bed.

We started teaching her to wind down and go to sleep by herself around 9 months. Teething, developmental milestones like walking and an occasional cold would sometimes mess things up...but we tried to be consistent and let her learn to fall asleep on her own.

She is now 18 months old. We do our usual bedtime routine and then put her in the bed when she is drowsy. She will sometimes sit up in the bed until we leave the room. Then, she grabs her blankie, rolls onto her tummy and goes to sleep. I'd say she falls asleep on herself without any trouble about 8.5 times out of 10. That means that we are ALL sleeping better now!

I think the goal is to give your baby the chance to learn to fall asleep on her own. I would leave her alone for a bit and see if she doesn't find a comfortable position on her own. If she gets upset, go in and comfort her, but don't pick her up; rub her back/tummy and say something in a soothing voice. I usually go in and lay my 8 month old son on his side if he has been flopping around trying to keep himself awake. I say shhhh-shhh and goodnight and maybe wind up the musical mobile once more or snuggle his favorite soft toy next to him or rub his head. Then I leave again. I think this sends the message that it's time to go to sleep and he usually does. All of this assumes that the child is sleepy. If it's not time for them to sleep or if they are not showing signs of drowsiness, it may not work.

I would not pick her back up unless she gets upset, and then I may still wait to see if she will settle down on her own. Good luck!

I just have to say "Congratulations!" for trying to let her get to sleep on her own. Since I have had children and my friends have had children, it has definitely been an eye-opening experience to see how many people sleep with their children and swap beds all night! I can't do it. Our household is much happier if everyone has enough sleep, including mommy. And mommy and daddy need their space! I think it is perfectly fine to let her try to get to sleep on her own. Be sure her bed is down and there is nothing like a blind cord or lamp cord within reach. As long as she is safe, I think it is ok to let her find her own ways of comforting herself. Pacifiers were lifesavers! and did not really seem to be so hard to get rid of around 18 months to 2 years. You can turn out the light, put her down and walk out. Let her get used to the idea that this is sleep time. Both my girls like to listen to music at night. At my first baby shower I received a little cassette player that hooked to the side of the baby bed. Since they were infants, that was part of our nighttime routine. I would rock them, then put them down and turn on a tape kind of low. Neither got sleepy to lullabies, but they loved fun little songs like Wee Sing and a Praise and Worship CD. As they got older, they would even sing to themselves until they got sleepy. They are 8 and 11 now and sometimes if they wake up in the middle of the night, they will ask me to turn their tape/CD back on so that they can go back to sleep. Good Luck, I hope some of these work for you.