Ideas on age for little ones to self settle

[summers_mum]

I agree, this book "The No Cry Sleep Solution" is excellent - author is Elizabeth Pantley. The book is filled with gentle suggestions to help your little one sleep through the night and self settle. No overnight miracles but no crying involved. This is the first book I have found which supports a gentler parenting style.

[justawaiting- brisbane]

I found it interesting how you mentioned that you have a "good sleep routine" -- it seems very time consuming to be sitting there waiting to put a soother back in their mouth esp at 9 months, or holding their hand til they fall asleep. A baby at that age should be able to put themselves to sleep and not needing you to help them. Simply set up a routine (bath, book, lights, etc.) then put to bed drowsy --- and they learn to fall into a deep sleep themselves.

Heather

[Arimeh]

My DS has only just started falling asleep by himself - and he's nearly 14 months old!!! He was really good, then started day care where they pat to sleep, so now he expects that. But the last couple of nights, we wind up his music toy thingy, stroke his head and back until the song dies down (bout 3 mins?) and then walk out. Usually one of us has to go back in there to keep patting until he is asleep, but lately, he has been falling asleep on his own without a peep. Maybe they just decide to do it on their own.
If you want to give it a try, just try leaving when she is just about to fall asleep, and then backing off a little each month or something to give her a chance to fall asleep by herself?
And for what its worth, a little bit of time spent patting your child on the back isn't going to hurt any - not like you will be doing it when they are 15 or anything and its a nice bonding experience for both of you. I don't mind it too much - happens to be the most peaceful part of my day
Good luck

[kajolo]

This book sounds good i am going to check with my local librart or college library to see if they have it.

[visitor1]

Some kids just need reassurance.

DD1 has always self settled pretty much from day 1. I never sat with her, sang, read books. We never had a routine until she was 6-8 months old (thanks to a great chicky Tara who helped me soooooo much..love ya babe). Now at 15 months she is a gem. Bed no problems day or night.

DD2 was in our room until 8 weeks old...and from then on she settled herself.

I think kids get used to 'mummy does this and this then i do this and that' after a while. Maybe try a comfort toy, blanket or something your baby associates sleep with?

DD2 knows at night when she gets wrapped its big sleep time....sleeps through 10-12 hours a night no wake up for feeds or anything.

DD1 knows when she is put in bed with a dummy and her pink dolly (Isabella) is sleep time.