Ok. This is where I feel like a complete newbie parent. I feel like I am a newbie mom b/c Addie-girl is so dang easy and laid back. A change from what Colin.
However, Grant and I were discussing the other night exactly when we teach her to fall asleep on her own and we are clueless.
She's 11 weeks today. So is it too early to start putting her down to bed awake and letting her fall asleep on her own?
If not, how do we go about doing it?
I am bound and determined to have one child that doesn't need rocked to sleep for years and years and years....
(FTR- Colin puts himself to bed...We don't rock him)
I would say if she is putting herself to sleep without too much fussing/crying I would totally encourage it. And remember you can do both - try it and then help soothe her if need be. I don't think at this age she will get confused if you only do it sometimes. But I would definitely take advantage of her falling asleep on her own if you can. One less thing to "teach" later.
Although - Owen actually was much easier than Gavin - I think he started falling asleep on his own around 3 months. He didn't stay asleep though so that was hard. They always ended up in my bed anyway so even though i didn't get that initial cuddle time putting Owen to sleep I got plenty the rest of the night!
Charlie and Josie both went down awake very early. Josie earlier than charlie.
Josie totally knew when she wanted to/expected to be put down. If we didn't have her in her bassinett upstairs in the dark at 7 pm, she freaked. She would nurse, be almost asleep and then fall asleep in her bassinett. (probably around 3 or 4 weeks).
I would never let her cry it out at 11 weeks but I would encourage her to try to sleep on her own if she is content.
Charlie and Josie both went down awake very early. Josie earlier than charlie.
Josie totally knew when she wanted to/expected to be put down. If we didn't have her in her bassinett upstairs in the dark at 7 pm, she freaked. She would nurse, be almost asleep and then fall asleep in her bassinett. (probably around 3 or 4 weeks).
I would never let her cry it out at 11 weeks but I would encourage her to try to sleep on her own if she is content.
ITA with this. And after two kids who never learned to put themselves to sleep until wayyyy past when I would've liked (close to 2yo), I was determined to do things differently this time. Totally couldn't stand the thought, as much as I adore cuddles, of having to either rock her to sleep every night for the next year and a half (with other kids to worry about as well), or go through CIO again.
Evie has always been a pretty good sleeper for her age, and I started putting her down awake/drowsy probably by the time she was a month old...since whenever they don't automatically pass out after a feeding, at any rate. If she cried I would go back and get her pretty much immediately and rock her, then try again when she was barely awake -- but I did that maybe three or four times all told? She's 7 months now and rarely makes a peep when I put her in bed at night.
She got used to not needing to be held to go to sleep, and I cannot even tell you how much less stressful it is this time around partly because of that! So yes, go for it! If she's giving you signs she's willing and able, count your blessings, lol!
And remember: there is nothing about a well-rested baby that should make you feel guilty. I know you give that girl all the snuggles and face time a baby could wish for when she's alert and not tired!
