How to get my 9 month old to sleep?

Question

My little man was such a fabulous sleeping baby who never cried and is now a bedtime pest (still cute though)! He gets so crazy hyper I don't know how to calm him and get him to bed. We have basically the same routine every night- dinner, bath, play a little, bedtime bottle, and then he gets so squirmy and hyper, even if he closes his eyes while drinking, as soon as its gone. He fights like crazy and cries if I just try to hold him on my lap and rock him. Of course I try putting him in his crib and walking away, he stands and cries til he's choking. I've left him a long while then if I finally go back he'll usually settle and go to sleep. If I take him for a walk in his stroller he will fall asleep. How do I get him to calm down at bedtime without the stroller? I have to wake him many mornings so I know he needs more sleep. Most nights though he does sleep a good 10 hrs once I get him down. I just don't know how to get him to chill out and calm down! Suggestions??? Thanks!

Answer 1

We had the same problem and the only way we got away from it was to make sure that our baby had a full stomach, his diaper was changed, he had a bath to soothe and clean him and no music. He cried one night for about three hours and then after that he went down when we put him down.

20/20 did a story about parents who let their children go to sleep listening to Lionel Richie and it became such a problem because when the music stop the little one would wake up and then start crying. Finally a Psychiatrist told them that they need to let the little one go back to sleep normally and break the habit. The first night they did this it was a miserable night for them and six hours later the Baby went to sleep. The second night the baby went to do the same but when the parents didn't put the music on the baby went fast asleep.

Answer 2

hi :-)

try playing some soothing relaxation sleep music! it works for me!

also try a chair next to the cot and sit there with him, softly stroking his head. that way you're with him so he shouldn't be as distressed... and he should fall asleep in 10 - 20 minutes MAX. it might be a lot less stressful if you sit with him...

:-)

Answer 3

Hi

This usually tends to take place when they are begining to notice their environment.

Try the following

1. Sing to him while you are holding him and take a stroll.

2. Give him a 1/2 tsp of Cod liver oil (calms his nerves)

3. Try Kolik Gripe water (he may have digestion problems from too much milk)

4. Give him little massage. 'Lactic Acid build up' causes irritability.

5. Try new foods or fresh juices (pure juices)

6. Avoid sugary foods.

7. Amuse him with peekaboo. Babies love it.

8. Give him rattles and noisy toys to catch his attention.( he wants to explore )

9. Speak to him. Show him things. Say" this is a cup...this is a ball...see? red...red.." He will become extremely attentive and calm.

10. Don't forget to hug and kiss him everyday. As a mom, we spend most of our time taking care of his every need...diaper change...food...clean hands etc and we forget a little kiss on the forehead or a nibble on the cheek. Show him lots of love, he is your Angel forever..no matter what.

Take Care

Angel Doll

Answer 4

I think your baby could be going through a number of things. At this age he is growing so rapidly and developing on so many different levels. He is learning to stand/crawl/walk or mobilize himself in many ways. He could be teething and that causes babies discomfort sometimes when they are laid flat on a mattress. He could also have realized that if he cries or fusses he can get your attention more. And in some cases babies at this age begin to enter the pre-toddler phase of 'fighting' their sleepiness. For example as you mentioned he gets hyper or moves like crazy its because he is trying to will himself to stay AWAKE as long as possible. He could be having dreams or some feeling of needing to be secure so try putting in a night light of some sort.

And lastly if all the basics are covered (diapering, feeding, bathing etc) and he is still doing this he could be ill. Check to be sure he has no fever and also watch closely to see if he tugs at his ears or shows any other signs that he is uncomfortable.

My daughter was so difficult at this age with sleeping. It was a struggle to get her to sleep in her crib even with it next to my bed. My husband finally broke down one night because she was crying and crying and he put her in the king size bed between us. She was about 13 months old at that time and she is still sleeping with us she is 2 and half now. But my son is totally different and sleeps in his bed from birth. He won't sleep unless its in his room in his bed.

So maybe if all else fails you could try laying him down next to you on your bed until he falls asleep. Then after he has been out for a while and sleeping deep, carry him and tuck him gently in his bed. I hope I helped you. Its really so hard to know exactly why he is this way. It could be what I mentioned earlier or a combination of all those things. Don't do the cry it out method. Its not good for him and he needs to be comforted. Babies are most secure with their mothers.  

Answer 5

My son is only five months old, so I haven't had to go through this yet, but my best friend has.  She went through this with her daughter starting at about 9 months, and her pediatrician told her that it was separation anxiety.  He told her to do the same thing that you are doing (sticking with your normal night time routine).  He told my friend to sit on the floor next to her daughters crib the first night.  Then he said the second night to sit a little farther away, and the third night to sit at the bedroom door.  He told her by the fourth night she shouldn't be in the room with her, but that if she cried longer than 10 minutes to go in the room to assure her that she was still there, but not to pick her up.  I remember my BF having such a hard time with this, but she said that it worked.  She said by the 4th night her daughter would just go right to sleep with no problems.  Hope this helps and good luck!