my own version of pat sh

[wudgie]

Hi
Just wanted to share a different version of pat shhhhh that is working really well with my 3mo.  He finds it difficult to control his hands when i put him down to sleep and wants to wave them around and take his dummy out but then wants it back again!!!  He's never liked swaddling so i was having a bit of trouble putting hm down.  Now, I let him hold one of my thumbs in each hand, lying on his back and shhhhhhhhhh him, it really works, just wanted to share in case anyone else was having the same trouble, holding my thumbs seems to soothe him then i let go of one, then the other as he drops into deeper sleep.

[bridgetdongarra]

I've got a different version too that I can share:

First, for those of you who practice Yoga, Meditation or anything that teaches belly breathing, I use a very deep belly inhale to help me produce a loud, long, powerful shhh.  This long shh is doubly beneficial because it helps me practice belly breathing and also helps me stay calm.  Also, since my dd doesn't sleep on her side as the pat/shh method describes, I lay one hand on her chest/upper arm and do a soothing stroke on her other side with my other hand (usually my left hand).  I start the stroke at her shoulder and move down her body slowly as if I am guiding her tensions out her toes.  I had a Yoga instructor that use to help us relax at the end of class by doing a similar slow stroke on our neck. 

Does anyone else have alternatives to share?