What to do with my 9 month old son?

Question

My son is 9 months old he is a wonderful amazing baby, he and i have a bond like no other he is truly a well behaved baby he has been sleeping through the night since we brought him home, but this last week i have no clue what to do, he wakes up in the middle of the night and all he wants to do is be held and sleep with me...i really am against the whole children getting used to sleeping with there parents i really would leave him in his crib and do for like the first 1/2 hour but he seriously screams and cries like he is being abandoned let alone its like 2 in the morning and i'm tired so i give in...really does he know that he is doing this and should i put an end to it now or is it ok till he is older? please I'M A FIRST TIME MOM AND I NEED ADVICE!

Answer 1

my daughter went through the same thing at 8 or 9 months and then again at 13 or 14 mo. She just acted terrified to be in her bed and didn't want down, but she was okay to be in our bed. I tried rocking her to sleep but she just watched her crib in fear, crying.  I tried different night lights, leaving a light on ( which just means it's time to play)  but I think it only last 2 or 3 weeks at the most and there were only 1 or 2 times it was really bad that I put her in bed with me just until she fell asleep ( though laying them down with out waking them up isn't easy at that stage). just try not to get frustrated and don't develop sleep habits for your baby that aren't easily broken

Answer 2

Maybe it's being alone in the dark that scares him? do you have a nightlight or can you keep the hallway light on?  

Answer 3

Sleep deprivation is an eventuality when raising infants.  Everyone goes through it eventually.  DO NOT bring the baby to your bed.  Get up and soothe him by speaking to him softly in his crib.  Check his diaper, make sure nothing is irriating him, like loose threads in socks or lables on nightwear, etc.  A bedtime routine is also helpful.  Warm bath, warm bottle, quite time together in the bedroom with dim light while feeding baby. This usually knocks most babies out like a light! There are aromatherapy bath products containing lavender or chamomile that can be used in the bath to induce sleepiness. Use a nightlight and maybe play some soft music.  Bedtime the same time every night and a quite household during the bedtime routine also help.

It is up to you whether you will have a bedmate for many months or years!  Every time you give in you are back a square one with breaking the habit.  

Try to take a nap during the day if you are not working to make up for the interrupted sleep.  This too shall pass.

Answer 4

My son went throug a similar phase. Unfortunately, I gave into it and before I knew it, I had a 15 month on my hands that would not sleep through the night without his mommy.  I would nip it in the bud now. When he cries in the middle of the night, go in and comfort him.  Then, leave and wait ten minutes. If in ten minutes he is still wailing, go in but don't pick him up...just sooth him with your words.  Leave again. In ten more minutes, talk to him from the door in soothing words. And then close the door and wait a whole twenty minutes. By then he should be tuckered out and begun soothing himself. This won't work in an instant, and probably not the first night, but it has to be done otherwise before you know it you will have  toddler up all night. Good luck, I know what you're going through.

Answer 5

i would seriously try putting him back in his bed after he falls back asleep if that does not work move his crib right beside your bed so he can see you when he is laying down. i never had that problem these are only suggestions. also you can try putting him in his crib during the day for about an hour (give or take a few minutes) with toys and you stay out of sight for part of the time and in his sight for part of the time (clean your room something like that) this may help him get used to you not being at his side always. good luck to you.

Answer 6

If he has never done anything like this before, then I would think that there is reason behind it. Babies actually start to peak with separation anxiety at nine months. I would not be to firm with him right  now, although I know you have to set boundaries, or he will get used to sleeping in bed with you every night, I recommend laying in the room with him, maybe on a pallet or roll away bed, put him in his crib. If he cries just try and let him know that you are not leaving him, but he has to sleep in his bed. It is really hard at this age, because they really are not old enough to understand. They are still learning to self soothe. Well good luck from a mom of five kiddos :)