Need help just tipping him over into sleep

[bluebell568]

I am trying to teach my 8 month old to fall asleep on his own in his cot. We have a short nap routine and a longer bedtime routine and then I lie him down in his cot awake. I stay by him and rub his back and very gently do long shushes as I breathe out. He is happy to lie in his cot sucking his dummy and gradually I see him beginning to look more drowsy, he starts to rub his eyes and turn his head and it is at this point - when all he really needs to do is close his eyes and drift off into sleep - that he begins to get agitated. He starts flapping his right arm and often takes his dummy out and then starts crying and arching his back.

So my question is what should/could I do at that moment when he is just getting sleepy to tip him over the edge into sleep before he gets agitated?

Any ideas of things people have found to work for their babies would be helpful as I know different babies will respond to different things.

Thank you

[weaver]

Sounds like you have a lovely relaxing routine for him which he enjoys.  I would wonder if he might need a bit less intervention/help from you at this age, the contact even in this peaceful way is stimulating for him.  So perhaps if you do what you're currently doing but wind it down towards silence and stillness and see if that helps him.  Slow the back rub down, slower, slower, slower, and then just stop until you're just resting your hand on his back, and the same for the shushing, just shush slower, more quietly and stop.  Stop if you can before you judge he's at the very drowsy moment.

[bluebell568]

Thank you. Will try that. Have tried not looking at him so my hand is on him but I'm looking away. Will persevere.