Where do I begin?

[madieandlogansmom]

I'm at a complete loss.

My son just turned 6 months.  I've been doing whatever it takes for the past 6 months to get him to sleep.  I realize now this has added some bad habits.  He needs so much to fall asleep that I have no idea where to begin.  I feel just awful that he can't fall asleep on his own and that he has so many sleep props.   

He's still swaddled, has a soother, needs to be bounced and "shhh'd" to sleep.  Then the worst thing....he sleeps in his swing.  I know, bad.  He naps and sleeps at night in his swing.

I don't know what to take away first and or how?

My daughter was so easy for bed.

Any ideas or help is hugely appreciated!!!!!!  I feel awful for continuing on with these bad habits.

[Cornish smiler]

Hi Christine, I just wanted to say don't beat yourself up for Logan's sleep situation -  you did what was the best for him so you shouldn't feel bad.  I know I've certainly been guilty of doing things 'just this once' and it can easily run on and then you get a bit stuck. 

I'm no expert - I'm sure someone will be on who can help you much more than I can - but if it were me I think I'd try to get him into his cot for his sleep before tackling any of the other issues.  Once he settles in there you can see about taking away his soother etc and make it a very gradual process.  Does he scream when he goes in his cot?  If so, perhaps you can let him get used to it by just laying him in it to play with his toys a bit so that he learns to relax?

As I say, I'm not clued up on all of this and you need someone with a lot more experience than I have to help you out, but I just wanted to send  you a cyber hug - it will be OK.

[Claire Anne]

Oh I have been there with all the props I could throw at DS!! Don’t worry – we’re only human after all!!!
But the good news is that he is young and you will be able to get him into a better routine more easily than you fear! I think the reliance on the props is at the parent’s end, not the child’s. The children seem to take much more in their stride than we can!!
I think you should try getting him into the cot first though – take things step by step. Then after that maybe pick up / put down would work – check out the other posts or the book to see which method suits you.
But don’t feel bad – sleep deprivation is a form of torture you know! It’s perfectly understandable to give in when you are too tired to figure out what to do next!!

[madieandlogansmom]

Thank you so much for replying ladies!!!!!

I will try getting his accustomed to his crib first.  I like the idea of letting him play in it to help.   

I will read up on some of the other posts on here for ideas.  It's hard to do it when your sleep deprived though.   

Thanks again!

[vadensmommy]

Hmmm, I looked for it but can't find it straight away, but there is some information somewhere about weaning from a swing or car seat.  From what I remember the recommendation was to use rolled up towels under the knees and around the baby to simulate being in that upright position, and gradually decrease the size of the towels till baby was able to sleep in the crib again.  If he is a motion addict - needs the swing going, you might try gradually decreasing the rate of the swing, and then work on getting him into the crib with towels.  If he is a car seat sleeper, you can start by putting the car seat in the crib and let him sleep in the car seat IN the crib, and gradually move him out of the seat into the crib with towels.  You may want to try the props boards for better info, here is a link.
infohttps://babywhispererforums.com/index.php?board=28.0

Good luck with everything!!!!

[madieandlogansmom]

Thank you so much!

[Claire Anne]

Yes it is very hard to think straight about these when you are sleep deprived alright!!
Hope it all goes well and you get some sleep soon - you'll be a new person if you can manage it!!!