When do they learn?

[ycoetzee]

Hello All

I have been using sh/pat with my 9 week old for the last 2 weeks. All is going well, I think. Sometimes it takes 30 seconds, other times 5 minutes. I was wondering, when do they get to the point where you can just put them down wide awake, and leave for them the fall asleep on their own?

Also, my DD hates being held as part of the wind-down routine. I'm having a hard time trying to establish some kind of bed time ritual. In the evening she gets a bath and then I put her in bed directly from there, it seems to be working best for her. I'd like to cuddle and sing to her, but she is having non of it. For naps, I usually carry her around a little, as I don't have 20 minutes to sit with her 3 or 4 times a day. (I have a 2.5 year old...20 minutes is a LONG time to be without mommy!)

She gets a DF at 11pm and then wakes at 5am'ish. She is up at 7 - 7:30am. That is right for her age, I hope??

I love this board!
Y

[elmarie]

Welcome to the board

You only do shh/pat when its necessary.  If you put your lo down and she's calm you don't have to do it. The idea of shh/pat is to teach your baby how to calm herself, which she seems to be learning very fast.  If you say it sometimes takes your 30 sec. she is probably already getting it LOL.  You will only do it if she is crying or fussing.

If she doesn't like to be held as part of the routine put her in the cot, she probably learnt to calm herself quicker that way.  That is part of the ritual so don't worry too much about it at the stage.  She seems to be doing very well if she is going through the night-well done, you are doing a good job

Elmarie X