How do I wean my 3mth old baby off needing to be in his swing to sleep!?

Question

My 3mth old only sleeps either in the car or in this motorised swing we have during the day. He is starting to get a little big for the swing and I know that sometime soon we are going to have to stop using it.. but he relies on it to sleep in now. How can I make the change from the swing to his cot for his daytime naps??

Answer 1

It's going to require a lot from you, I think.  He is too young for cry it out, but I suggest that you go in and rub his back.  Maybe try some white noise (we use a radio set to static).  You might have to dance with him, pat his back (like you're burping him), etc.

Answer 2

My son had a similar problem, and we found that it was more the noise than the actual movement in the swing. We bought a white noise machine and he loves it (loves it!) you might try and buy a white noise CD and see if he likes that....

Answer 3

I had massive problems with getting my 3 month old son to sleep.  He would just lie awake and cry for hours, then when he finally went to sleep he would wake every hour or two hours through the night and cry again!  Talk about pulling our hair out .... we were absolutely desperate for sleep!

It was a baby sleep audio program recommended by a friend that finally saved us. We followed the advice and began by creating a baby sleep routine which included bathtime, dimming of the lights, putting Paul into his crib, final nappy change and then lullabies. We also made recommended changes to his naps during the day and used some of the other recommended techniques. Within two weeks he was sleeping through the night most nights with just the odd night where he would just wake once!

Definitely start by creating a good baby sleep routine though and you could find that solves most of your baby sleep problems.

Good luck!

If you want to take a look, the audio program is at http://www.babysleepsolution.com

Answer 4

There is really nothing you can do except just do it.  The longer you wait the more difficult it will be.  I would just put him in his crib (cot) when he gets tired and if you have to either pat his bum or rub his back or tummy to help soothe him (depending upon his sleeping position).  Does he sleep in his crib at night?  Just curious.