[minidiamond]

Im in the process of trying to get DS to sleep without being in our arms - he's 14 weeks. Having mixed success but my rule is putting him in bassinet awake BT drowsy /calm, but not letting him cry for more than 3 minutes if he starts to fuss.

So when he is minded occasionally by nanas, would you give them strict instructions ? Last week I returned to pick him up from MIL and he was asleep on her chest, this week he's with my mum and I didn't want to out her through the hassle of explaining the "rules" - best to just have him asleep while I'm out.

Is this occasional deviation from trying to break the habit likely to set me back ?

This post has been edited by Liltuss: 16/11/2012, 01:24 PM

[Bottom]

14 weeks! Why on earth would you be doing that at 14 weeks? How lovely for him to get to do what normal 14 weeks olds do and fall asleep on someones chest.

[Jekaho]

In a broader sense, yes I like consistency, so my parents, inlaws and my sister all know our routines etc (and changes as he grew) when they look after our son.
I don't think at 14 weeks that the occasional falling asleep wherever/whenever will do damage... I guess I'd just make sure they are on a similar page to you though regarding CIO or whatever.

[BabeBlossom]

Yes our rules with putting DD to sleep are to stay with her until she is asleep and no leaving her to cry, she's 22 months.
At 14 weeks old the rules weren't much different except for an emphasis on getting her to sleep however it happens.
I wouldn't be imposing rules on grandparents, it's not their job to sleep train your baby.

[becstar101]

I rarely left mine for more than an hour or two at that age, but a little older I gave people a rough idea of what we did just to make things easier. Eg feeds at xyz, usually has x mL of ebm, up for approx 1.5 hours altogether. This was to make it easier for those looking after the baby. If they decided to get baby to sleep in arms or pram as it was easier, I wouldn't mind. If you're only doing it once every few days, I don't think it would harm any routine you were trying to get into.

[sarahec]

I think that's a nice way for him to fall asleep while with grandparents!
Generally I think sticking with the rules is good, consistency etc, but some rules you need to be flexible with. Chose your battles.

[KRT]

Babies are pretty good at working out how to fall asleep for different people. However, I've found that people are often pretty keen to try to do things they way you want them to, so why not try asking for what you want?

I also don't think there is anything wrong with trying to let your DS fall asleep in his cot/bassinet rather than in your arms.

[nen-c]

I tend to tell them what I do and/or what works and let them do whatever is easiest. I can imagine that a "nap on nanna" would be nice for both of them, and probably isn't going to undermine your "sleep training" so I wouldn't worry about it if that what she chooses to do. Better that than what my MIL likes to do - which is to keep tiny babies awake playing with them until they are a total overstimulated/overtired horror show!!!!

[PrincessPeach]

From the other side of the equation as the babysitter - it's increadibly handy to have instructyions, but also the words - just do whatever you have to so they sleep!

I know for my nephew when he was with us the only way he would sleep for us was if we put him in the pram & took him for a very long walk - he was just too excited to sleep otherwise. Being a bit older now he is more excited to nap in the big bed!

[hm6]

Generally all being well they will pick up on what you do with your child and mostly do similar - after all they don't want a crying unsettled baby anymore than you. But what I expect of a GP or aunt maybe is slightly more relaxed then what I would expect off a professional carer who I am paying. At 14 weeks I didnt really have big rules and if they feel asleep in arms or on chest (mine included ) I didn't worry too much. Never wanted them to sort problems out - that was mine & my DH's job (eg I didn't want them left crying was my only thing) - if baby was asleep and hadn't cried or got upset then I was happy.