hi belinda,

there are many approaches to getting bub to self-settle. luckily there are loads of websites with info (check mum and bub sleep units such as Karitane and tresillian sites). they have great run-downs on gentle ways to allow bubby to go to sleep without needing you to basically do it for her.

our DD has been self-settled from about 3 months. following a rather gentle approach to self-settling. and i think that the option provided by karitane was the closest to what we did. she is now 9 months and quite happily goes to sleep on her own.

I have added some of the stuff that Karitane proposes, so i hope it helps. Also it may be worth contacting one of the centres (closest to you) and seeing if they do day seminars (we went to one and it was great!):
?COMFORT SETTLING?(For infants 4 ? 7 months)??Comfort Settling is a technique which involves actively comforting your baby in the cot for short periods at a time. This strategy will give your baby the opportunity to actually fall asleep by herself.?
1. Observe for tired signs.?
2. Follow basic preparation for settling, remembering that a baby of this age may prefer to be tucked in firmly rather than wrapped?
3. Place your baby on her back at the lower end of the cot and tuck in firmly. ??
4. Spend a brief time giving a few gentle pats and a reassuring word. Leave the room.
5. Encourage your baby to attempt to self settle for up to 3 minutes ?
6. If your baby has not settled return and commence settling strategies for up to 3 minutes eg. pat, body rock , rock the cot or stroke her face and head for approximately three minutes. Speak in a quiet reassuring voice will often help her to settle. Do not pick her up.??
7. Leave the room again for three minutes. If you find this too long at first, try just one minute, then two minutes and then three minutes.?
8. Repeat step 6. ??
9. Repeat step 7 ? the time that you leave the room can be extended a little depending on the age of the child and how you and your partner feel about her crying. At this age it is recommended that babies should not be left for any longer than five minutes. Listen to the nature of your baby's cry when deciding how long to wait before you move onto the next step.
10. You may continue these techniques for up to 45 minutes. If your baby does not settle you may choose to take her for a walk in the pram or pouch, give her a massage or a deep relaxation bath. Then try to re-settle.

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