A question about falling asleep?

Question

My 4 month old son has no problem getting back to sleep by himself when he wakes up for a feed at night and I put him back in his crib afterward. During the day it's a whole different story. I have to rock him to sleep (also before bed time in the evening) and if he's not fully asleep when I lay him down, he'll wake up (almost) completely. I then have to take him out of his bed and rock him again or he'll scream the house down.

I understand that it's much easier to go back to sleep at night, esp because he's been on a routine for a good while, but is there any way to teach him to self sooth during the day.

I will not let him cry it out as that goes against everything I believe in.

Thanks!

Answer 1

I think it's partly his age.  In a few months, it will be easier.  For now, try to go for naps when you can tell he's tired.  If he's not already on a consistent nap schedule, you don't have to put him on one, but he will probably be tired for one at regular times (like after every 3 hours of awake time).  I'd go through what you hope to be the eventual routine, for example  - nurse, read a story, go to sleep.  Go ahead and rock him to sleep, but keep all the routine elements there.  Then after a while you can try dropping the rocking part and just putting him down.  I have a 9 month old and I sit by her bed and read or something while she settles down.  I did the same with my older child and eventually I could just put him down for the nap and walk away, but if you make them go cold turkey, they will scream like crazy.  With time, he will see his crib as a comfortable place that makes him sleepy.