Help a new user? 4 1/2 month old!

[tsmart]

Hi there!  I am looking to start on the E.A.S.Y. program.

The main things I'm trying to accomplish are to get him to fall asleep/self-soothe in his crib (he's in a co-sleeper beside the bed right now), and stop eating as a means to sleep. I'm also hoping after these two things are down that he will begin to sleep through the night!

He is breast fed, and we do follow a routine. Mainly right now I'm following as Eat, Activity, EAT, Sleep. I want to break this and try to follow it correctly because EASY seems like a solid routine, but I feel like I don't know where to begin.

Could someone recommend where I should start?

I know she suggestions one thing at a time, but they all seem to merge together to me, so I'm at a bit of a loss at where I should begin.

LO doesn't mind his crib, but he will not fall asleep on his own. I know that she suggests picking him up and putting him back down as much as necessary. One delimma is, do I do this for naps or his night time sleep? If I do it at naps and it takes 50 times until he actually falls asleep, will I be doing greater damage at night?

Please, please someone help me!  I need to be able to sleep again, and I'm anxious to get started!

[tsmart]

I guess I should add that he's a mix between a textbook and touchy, but slightly more touchy when it comes to sleep.

[jessmum46]

Hi there and welcome

Some links that may help:
Starting EASY - all you need to know and more!
Starting E.A.S.Y. at Four Months or Older

Could you post what a current day's routine looks like with nap times/sleep times etc?  What are your nights like at the moment?  If we have that as a starting point then we can hopefully come up with a plan to get you started with EASY and get you some precious 'you' time back!

A great tool for teaching LOs to sleep independently at this age is shh-pat - Pat/shush for babies under 3 months old (ignore that it says for under 3 months).  I think what you're referring to is PUPD (pick up put down) which Tracy does talk about in the starting EASY over 4 months link.  However, at this age I'd always try shh-pat first, only picking up if really necessary to calm your LO before putting down again and continuing with shh pat.

There's also this information about breaking the feed to sleep association: Gentle Removal Plan

Hope that helps to started, let me know if you have more questions