when to start teaching independent sleep

[Henna20]

When did you start teaching independent sleep to? how long did it take?? how did you keep your sanity with all the patting and shushing and crying???
my ds is almost 5 weeks (born 2 weeks early at 6lbs 2 oz) and i really want to teach him how to put himself to sleep. as of now it takes over an hour to put him to sleep. we usually walk with him or lately i've just been putting him in the swing bec it just takes so long. im not sure when is a good age to start teaching him independent sleep. i did it with my first when she was about 3 months old (when i discovered bw). it took a solid 2 week of hell. i basically spent the entire day every day getting her to sleep. i went out of my mind. i'm nervous to start with my ds bec i dont know how long its going to take and i dont know if i have that kind of patience anymore. i cant commit all my time to him bec i also have a 2yr old.

please help!!!!     

[~Alexa~]

I started when my lo was 6 wo, but it was very difficult.  He cried a lot, and that's when he was diagnosed with reflux, so I stopped sleep training and let him sleep on my chest until he was 4 mo.  That's when I started sleep training seriously.  My lo reacted great to sleep training, so it took me around 1 week of constant shpat at all naps.  Before he was 4 mo, I tried shpat, and if it didn't work, I rocked him to sleep, but I tried not to stress too much about it. 
So, try shpat and give it 20 min, but if it doesn't work, then do whatever is necessary to put your ds to sleep. (for example, the swing).  Your lo is too young, so it is normal that he needs you more for falling asleep.  He doesn't know how to self-soothe, so that's why he needs you.  Remember babies sort out day time sleep from 3-6 mo, and nighttimesleep from 0-3 mo!

So, enjoy your newborn, and try not to stress too much about it, you will have lots of time for sleep training!

[marlowsmom]

I was you when my LO was 5 weeks.   What I learned from all the women and mods on this board is that you will have to sh/pat you LO to sleep and around 10weeks you should see some progress.    I saw my first bit of progress at 10 weeks an I couldn't have been happier.   Instead of spending an hour or longer getting her to sleep it took 20 minutes.   At 12 weeks she hit a milestone and changed again to 5 min.    I would hold her until her eyes closed, held her for one minute longer then placed her in the crib.    Now, thanks to Alexa's advice I am calming her in my arms, placing her in the crib drowsy but eyes open and patting her bottom until she closes her eyes.   I'm doing this for the first time today and watching her on video monitor.    So far so good.    Keep telling yourself "consistency is key"   Don't cheat because you're only cheating him and yourself.      Stick with it because it will pay off in the end!