I cant get my daughter to go to sleep without holding her and rocking her I was wondering if there was a way that i could "break" her of the habit of being held to fall asleep at night
My son was the same way. So what i did was lay next to him when it was time to go to sleep. I would pat or rub his back until he went to sleep. Hopefully that will help.
Depending on her age - when she's ready and you are (at least a year), I would do the same routine you do now, then lie her down and rub her back and stay nearby. She may cry, but stay there and be with her. It will be tough, but she'll learn you aren't leaving and she'll learn to put herself to bed eventually.
probably depends on how old she is....
I rocked/held my daughter until she was about 16 months but then I just realized I had to stop. I started with naps first. I would rock and cuddle and sing for about 10 mins and then put her down, give her kisses and say have a good nap. I had to sit next to her crib until she fell asleep. Then after a few days, I did the same thing, but stood by the door. Then a few days later, did the same routine and walked out. She was fine. Then I figured that it would work with bed time too. I followed that same kind of routine and it worked. Now at age 3, I just put her in bed for a nap and she goes to sleep in about 10-15 mins. At night, we have more of a bedtime routine and she goes to sleep about 15 mins after I leave the room.
I am not saying it was perfect all the time, but for the most part it has worked well and was a lot less stressful than I thought. It takes time. I wasn't a cry it out mom, but I did learn that a little fussing was ok.
I have 5 kids and the first got rocked to sleep always. This is the luxury of having one child and not having to do any work after bedtime. The other 4 kids slept with me for between 6 and 12 months, and then got put in the crib. No drama, no ceremony, one or two tearful nights with visits every 5, then 10, then 20, minutes, then no more, and done and dusted. If they have rubbed their eyes, they are tired, the end. Once in a rare while, one will want to stay up and party, and if no eye rub, I don't even try. But once that little fist comes up and screws into the eye socket -- bedtime for Bonzo!
Good luck!
What works for one might work for another, I put my boys down with a light on in the room. and soft music on, and read a book to them. They needed time to unwind, the calmer you are the calmer she will be. Good luck and may God bless and keep you and yours.
Depends on her age. How old is she?
Since I don't know how old she is, I can't really give any advice, because it really depends on the age which technique will work best. There are a couple of really good books out there that you should read, and apply the best ideas to your situation. The No Cry Sleep Solution by Elizabeth Pantley, and Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child are good. I've also heard that The Sleep Whisperer is good.
Read Secrets of the Baby Whisperer---CHANGED MY LIFE!!!! Very humane and loving technique. You didn't say how old your daughter is
