[~Supernova~]

I'm very confused here and not really sure what to do!

A couple of days ago DS (5 weeks) started to get harder and harder to get to sleep. I usually get him to sleep by rocking him in my arms and patting his bum. Yesterday it had been almost 2 hours of this, he would drift off then wake up constantly and have a little grizzle, and he was so overtired. I had to help DD with something so I put him down in his cot. He grizzled (NOT crying at all, just little grunting noises) for about 15-20 mins then he was asleep. So I figured I would try it for his next few sleeps...

I rock him until I see he is heavy lidded and sleepy, then put him down. Within 10-30 mins of little noises he puts himself to sleep (which is a LOT quicker than he falls asleep when I am rocking him). If I go in his room at all, or pat him, he gets cranky and wakes up! So I basically listen to the monitor and peek through his door lol.

Is it possible he just prefers to self settle? I'm not sure if I should be leaving him to grizzle at his age...I would like to point out that at NO stage do I leave him to cry, it is just little grunts and groans. I really miss cuddling him to sleep, but he seems to hate it Do some babies just prefer this???

[Elleness]

My 9 week old does, exactly the same as your guy. Grunts and grumbles, but if I go back in I wake him up more and takes double as long for him to back to sleep.

[Harmonica]

Most people strive to get to the point you are at, so enjoy it! It becomes so difficult if they become dependent upon being rocked to sleep, especially as they get older/heavier.

[KrissyNkids]

Edit for Double post

This post has been edited by KrissyNkids: 11/04/2012, 08:33 AM

[KrissyNkids]

Yes, my DD1 was like that from only a few weeks old. She was and still is the best sleeper of all my kids. How i wish they were all like that But i do admit i dont mind the newborn snuggles either but it does create bad habbits in some babies as then they want to be held rocked and patted for a long time later (EG my 2yo LOL)

Congrats and enjoy

[~Supernova~]

Part of me is saying it's great, and to enjoy it. The other part feels neglectful...I feel like I should be helping him get to sleep! Probably irrational, but anyway...

DD was a crap sleeper and would only sleep in our arms or her swing for many months, so I should probably just embrace it and make the most of snuggles when he is awake I guess lol.

I guess I feel like I am depriving him or something, like I should be cuddling him and helping him feel secure while he is so young. But that clearly only keeps him awake and creates a cranky, overtired baby!

[tamjk]

Yep, some babies prefer it.
Drives friends mad when they visit and I put DD down for a nap, I just put her in the cot and walk away. If I don't do it that way she SCREAMS.
She was 8 weeks old when I figured that out, I went from 2 hours sleep total a night to 6 or more hours. It was very much a case of put her down and walk away or I would have killed her.

Not looking forward to when she comes out of the cot though. DS liked me to sit beside him until he fell asleep, I'm HOPING she will go to sleep with me beside her when she goes into a toddler bed otherwise bedtimes are going to be torture.

[lozoodle]

Sounds fine to me, both of mien were like this. Picking them up and rocking etc just frustrated them.

[her mum]

My 11 month old has been like this from about 4 weeks. She likes to get comfy her way rather than be stuck in my arms lol!

Don't feel neglectful...you can enjoy cuddles at other times, and enjoy not 'having' to give cuddles before sleep time every single day!

[crocodilessnap]

My DD was like this as well right from the very beginning. I think I can count on 1 hand how many times she has fallen asleep in my arms since a few weeks old and they were only when sick.
We actually went to a sleep school at 5 mRonths where I was told to push the patting etc (instead of using the dummy) even though I said she doesn't respond well to it. On our last day the nurse agreed that that approach would never work for her
I personally love the fact I put her in her cot, give her a dummy and her security blanket and while occasionally she will chat for up to 40 minutes she is happy and will go to sleep on her own