Desparate for help!!!

[gracie bear]

My 5 week old hasn't been on a routine simply because i wasn't sure how to do it. After finding out about the shh/pat method and reading the baby whisperer book. I tryed it and it's not working for me she hates me whisperering by her ear and won't go back to sleep unless i hold her and giver her a soother.I was wondering if it would be ok if i put her to sleep in my arms at first then put her in her crib and let her wake up in her crib to get used to it. she does know the difference betwen night and day i just need to get her used to putting herself asleep!!! HELP!!

[Jaime]

it's really up to you, but i think it might take longer that way.  i think you might have better success if you get her to where she's almost asleep in your arms, and then pop her in the crib.

she's crying to let you know that she doesn't understand why you are doing things differently.  she's grown accustomed to one way of sleeping, and doesn't see a need to change the rules (though you know better!  :wink: )

since you've read everything, you have what you need to decide on a plan of action.  once you do, you need to commit to it.  stay consistent and persistent, and she will get it. 

good luck & HTH 

[aimeemarie]

My dd is 5 weeks today and I am finally seeing some success! We were co-sleeping and she was sleeping on someone's chest for 1/2 of her naps. Last night she spent the entire night in the crib (At her 3 pm awakening I had to work to get her back down though!) My dd doesn't seem to care too much for shhh so it's usually just some hard patting while she is on her side.

I got her used to her crib by letting her sleep in it after I had put her completely to sleep, and now I don't put her to sleep in my arms, I do it in her crib. Often we go in there and she is awake and content, so we let her put herself back to sleep.

[gracie bear]

Well the crib issue is getting better for her sleeping in it..kinda. We put her bassinet in her crib so she will get used to the surroundings, it seems like a good idea, but im up for hearing different if anyone knows different. I just need help getting her to go to sleep on her own. We've tried letting her cry for 5 minutes (which breaks my heart) we've tried giving her, her night feeding and putting her back in but she wakes up completely and freaks out until we put her in our room...how can I make this transion???

[Jaime]

i've read a few moms who put their moses basket in the crib to help their babies transiton, so as long as your basinette can't tip over or anything in the crib i'm sure you're fine. 

i know you're frustrated with her crying.  there were so many times i would also be crying/ready to scream when my babies wouldn't stop crying.  i wouldn't leave mine to cry either. 

do you have a wind-down routine yet?  if not, that's a great place to start.  it can include things like dimming the lights (btrw, if her room is brighter than yours is, it might be bugging her), swaddling, snuggling for a moment, turning on white noise, etc.  this is something that you will do every time you are getting her ready for bed.  eventually, she will learn these cues mean that it's time to sleep. 

pat/shh is a great technique to help them learn to go to sleep & then stay asleep, but you need to find the version that works best for you.  i learned with luke that he hated the pat part; he wanted my hand to rest gently on his chest/tummy while i shhhed. 

unfortunately, crying is to be expected at first.  for 5 weeks, she's gotten used to one way of doing things, and now you're changing them.  the most important part is to stay consistent.  don't leave her to cry, but don't bring her back into bed with you either if you really want her sleeping in her own crib.  this makes for a really tough few days, but if you hold your ground she will start to turn around. 

good luck & HTH