Hi all
I am looking for some advice. I have posted on another board about my sons numerous night waking and am having some help with that. But I have a question about encouraging him to sleep without me being present.
Since about 4 months old he has needed me there to fall asleep at night and during waking, I used to nurse him to sleep but have weaned off that now, but he does still wake after every sleep cycle during the night, sometimes 9-10 times..
I have tried waiting for a while whilst he mantra cries but that always turns into a real cry because he wants me there to fall asleep. Sometimes I go in put my hand on his tummy and he goes back to sleep instantly, sometimes I am spending over an hour pu/pd or shushing him with a hand on his tummy.
My questions are:
When I initially put him to bed, if he is settled should I stay with him until he falls asleep so he builds some confidence or could I try and leave the room to see if he self settles? He stays asleep for longer periods if my partner puts him to bed and stays with him until he is asleep for some reason.
when he is mantra crying do I not intervene or enter his room at all? As they rarely end in him falling asleep on his own
With pick up put down once he has settled and is calm and my hand is on his tummy do I stay with him until he falls asleep as I feel this is hindering independent sleep. Also sometimes he wants to play and gets on all fours in his cot, again I feel my presence is encouraging this.
We have had two nights where he only woke twice since doing pick up put down but apart from that I dont feel like I am having much success with it.
Thanks in advance
Erica.
