How Do You Get Your Kid Disciplined

Hi JJ,
Well, I am not an advocate of 'crying it out' and that is supported by Dr. Harvey Karp and Charles and Jim Fay from Love and Logic. Children under two are looking to establish 'trust or mistrust,' with crying as their main form of communication, that is telling you something and there is a need....holding a small baby is meeting a need, not spoiling him. Also, depending on how upset he gets, allowing a child to cry to long compromises the clean oxygen to their brains. You have received good advice from one poster that suggested seeking some assistance so you can get out and getting outside some is great too. From my experience with my two I have found:
By three months there should be a definite pattern to your child's day...eat, play, sleep, eat, play, sleep...something like that. There are usually consistent time frames that start to form and by six months you can usually say...nap time is at 10 and 2; he eats at 7, 9 snack, 12, 3 snack, 6---something more 'clock' defined.

Give your self some grace, being home with baby is tough and especially when they or you are sick. Write out a flexible plan and see if it works for a couple of weeks....make adjustments as you see it is better for you and him. Some resources I am grateful for are listed:
Happiest Baby on the Block (DVD)
Love and Logic (DVD, books, classes, etc)
The No-Cry Sleep Solution (book)

When you start to feel frustrated or angry, try to sing whatever you can think of...it will shift you out of that mode and is amazing how quick the feeling will pass. Plus, babies love singing.

There is a fine line on letting your child cry it out. I'd highly recommend you do not start that until you fully know your five month old is no longer sick and back to full health. It can take a while for babies to get completely back to normal and any change can be a set back. I fully understand your frustration as I have two kids under 2 (a 20 month old and a 5 month old). My oldest sleeps like an angel and always has, my 5 month old...doesn't like to sleep unless he is held or in a swing. We've tried the crying it out and for him it doesn't seem to work well. You have to find what works best for you and your baby. Even crying it out doesn't mean you just leave them. You have to go in and check on them and reassure them. Plus 5 months is still a little young to expect anything more than about a 5-6 hour stretch. I do suggest teh same 3 books the posting below said. I also recommend you check out http://www.sleepsense.net/ - The Sleep Sense program. Also, try not to compare yourself to others who say their baby has slept thru the night from 2 months. All babies are different and they need LOVE and REASSURE. They have to know they are safe and taken care of. I strongly believe you cannot spoil a child under 6 months by loving them and being there for their needs. That creates a well developed, healthy toddler. Please be patient and know that the time will come for you and your baby. Also, I'm a working mom and being at daycare will help get you both on a good schedule so don't worry it will work out! Good luck and take care!

My 4 month old went through the same thing at 3 months. We tried the cry-it-out thing. It didn't work. She would just cry so hard that she ended up hungry, and then i'd have to go get her. But, then, one day, she just went to sleep. I had laid her down, gone outside for about 5 min., then I came in, and she was out! Now, when we lay her down, she'll cry for about 3or4 min, and then go to sleep. I go in a check on her once in a while, and if she continues to cry, I go pick her up for a moment, kiss her, tell her it's time to sleep, and lay her back down. I don't agree with not picking them up. She always calms right down after I do. Sometimes they just need the assurance that you love them, and you didn't leave them. I hope this helps. My daughter has been sleeping throught the night from 10pm-8am for about a month now, so it's definately worth a try.

He may still be recovering from his cold and need a little tlc or be feeling anxious from medication he is on, but what I always found helpful at this age is to completely leave the house. He may need a little stimulation as well. Take a walk do not carry him put him in a stroller, either in a mall or outside if the weather is nice. My daughter suffered from cholic and I walked her it seemed to distract her to be outside. I also found she would sleep better as long as I didnt overstimulate her. Then maybe have a grandparent or close friend stop by the house during the day and you leave for a while to get a break. If you leave him with people who love him he will be fine no matter how guilty you feel and you will be able to recharge. You may have tried all of these but at 5 months they cant express themselves so watch him closley and learn his crys he may be trying to tell you something and you are missing because you are stressed and need a break. I am big on discipline but at this age it is more about schedules and consistency. It usually would take about 3 days to get back to normal. Good luck and try and get a break.

Babies go through all kinds of phases. He may change next week! Spoil him this week. Baby carriers got me through a lot! If he won't go to sleep, he will get to look around - just watch the little eyes looking all over the place...