My 7-1/2 Month Old Won't Let Me Put Him down to Sleep

the book "Secrets of a Baby Whisperer- how to calm, connect, and communicate with your baby" by Tracy Hogg REALLY helped us with our first baby who was hard to put down. It's a great book and I buy it for any of my friends who've had a baby, and they found it helpful too. Also though, babies go through a lot of sleep pattern changes... at this age, from about 6 months, they (according to my Pediatrician) go through separation anxiety.. where even at night during sleep time, they may wake more often and want to see you and know you are there and close by. Both my kids went through that. It's common. Also though, during growth spurts they may simply be hungrier and may need to feed. It's typically just phases they go through... it will pass typically. If there is nothing else wrong with him, medically or otherwise, then at least you can rule that out. Also, teething may be an issue too at this age... it typically bothers them more at night, thus they wake up more etc. You will find a lot of helpful responses here, it's a great site for Moms. Good luck!
~Susan
www.cafepress.com/littlegoogoo

We all go through this. It's exhausting. Just hang in there. It's a phase. Not what you wanted to hear I'm sure, but it's a fact. One day they go down with ease and sleep like angels, the next they need you to rock them, sing to them, hold them for what seems like hours!! Just try to keep the same routine every night - ex: dinner, play time, bath time, cuddle/book time - bedtime. I never could hang with the crying it out method - so needless to say, I spent many hours in that rocker with her in my arms. I wouldn't change it for the world - and now, she's 17 months old and if I time it right, she goes down after 6 oz bottle of milk every night around 7:45 or 8:00! :-) (But STILL not every night).
K.
Kellyis.stayinhomeandlovinit.com
myspace.com/luvinstayinhome

Hi J.,

I went through this with my first son, and it was hard to put him down to sleep until we tried the Ferber method- which I DO NOT recommend. Basically, your supposed to be teaching your baby to self soothe by letting him cry himself to sleep- you do check on him to "reassure" him now and then, but my son was not very reassured & I just ended up crying along with him. The next day, I bought some earplugs & he did learn to get himself to sleep within a week, but it was a horrible experience.

With my second son, I started putting him to bed while he was still awake from day one. He is almost 18 months old now & has never had any trouble getting himself to sleep- usually without any fuss at all. So basically, I have no advice to help you with your current situation, but I highly recommend starting your next baby (if you have one) putting himself to sleep right away!

C. : )

I had this problem when my daughter was first born. I would soothe her to sleep & just hold her for her naps. It was draining to say the least. At 3 1/2 mths I finally called it quits & just let her soothe herself to sleep. It was heart-wrenching to hear her crying but after 1 1/2 weeks she figure it out. Now she's an awesome napper & does great at bedtime.

Having said all this. If he just started doing this maybe it's one of two things: he has a little separation anxiety or he's teething. Just a thought. Hope this helps.

J.,

I don't remember having this problem with my youngest (5 yrs. now) but I do remember going through it with my older children (daughter-18yrs, sons-16yrs). There was one thing that helped, I don't remember if someone told me this or I read it.

As she/he was falling asleep in my arms in the rocking chair I would quietly sing to her until she was out. I would continue to sing quietly as I carried her to the crib and as I laid her down on the mattress. My singing would not stop at this time but for a moment as I changed songs. I would stand next to the crib as I sang in almost a whisper. Then slowly I would take a step backwards, singing, watching to see if she is still asleep. I continue to slowly move backwards a step at a time until I am out the door. I would still continue to quietly sing or hum as I walked down the hallway so there was no abrupt ending for my daughter or sons.

The idea is that he would still be held by you, by your voice, even though your physical arms were not around him. It can take a while to do because sometimes he will wake up a bit but if you continue singing quietly and don't move he should go back to sleep.

If you are not a singer, just some simple songs will do and they don't care if you repeat. ABC's, Twinkle Twinkle, Mary had a little lamb, Silent Night, etc... Just make sure that you are calm when you put him down, if you are rushed and trying to get to some chores, he will sense it. Relax and lose yourself in the moments of holding and caring for him. It is true, they grow up so fast, My daughter has graduated from high school and has left the home with college yet I clearly remember holding and rocking her to sleep as her beautiful eyes lovingly stared up at me. (okay, I need to go get a tissue) Know that in all these little ways you are instilling love, confidence, self esteem and caring that he will carry for the rest of his life.

Sweet Dreams,

Evelyn

It could be that he is going from your body warmth to a 'cold' bed which is waking him up. One of my friends used to put a heating pad in the crib on low and then remove it just before she put her daughter to bed.

Personally, instead of holding him and then trying to put my son to bed, I used to pull down the side of the crib all the way, and pull up a chair, so I could "cuddle" with him while in his crib. Once he was asleep, I would caress him softer and softer, and then stop. Just don't forget to quietly put the rail back up!

P.S. I still 'cuddle' my son a bit at bedtime (he's 10 now), but I no longer stick around till he falls asleep.

Gosh, it sounds like he's in pain or something - maybe teething?? If this came on suddenly, it is probably something like that. Try giving him some of those homeopathic teething tablets that dissolve quickly in his mouth and see if that helps. Sometimes when they are in a flat position, the teeth hurt more.

good luck

Every child is different. I remember both of my daughters doing the same thing. I agree w/ Katrina and you may also want to put a shirt of yours next to the baby cause they also look for your scent. Yah, I know sounds kinda funny, but baby's know their mother's voice and scent. Another thing you may want to do is put music on while you put the baby down to sleep. LOL!! My youngest loved classic music.

I hope this helps you..