Baby help! Going a bit crazy!

I wish I could help but I am a complete wuss when it comes to crying it out....my 2 1/2 year old still sleeps with us. Granted I usually will stick her on her mattress when she passes out,which is in my room, but I am so over it. I hope other mommas here help you out but I just wanted you to know that I can sympathize. I miss having my bed to myself. I hope it gets better for you!!

i dont think my kids slept in their cribs until they were a bit older, but we had some nights like that too. just made sure they were swaddled tight and their mobile was on. with #2 we made sure she had her binky. we'd let them cry for a few minutes and then go in and check, but not pick them up.. longer periods of time until they were asleep. of course we made sure they werent hungry or needing a diaper change or something like that. it can be extremely frustrating! i know there was a period of time with our oldest that i would have to rock her to sleep in her room and then transfer her to her crib after she fell asleep. i dont know how helpful that was for you, but it does get better, i promise! my girls are 4 and 5 now and sleep great. just stick with one method you choose and everything will work itself out

I don't think binkies (pacifiers) are bad...some babies just need that little comfort. Do you have a lullaby player? Sometimes that helps create a peaceful environment and makes it a little easier for the munchkins.

Sometimes though, IAmFit is right...as heartbreaking as it is you just have to let them cry it out...good luck :flowerforyou:

My little guy is 2 1/2 months old. He is the third child I have had sleep in my bed. From the day I brought him home. We have a crib, and I put him in there sometimes when he's asleep, or after a diaper change he loves to watch the mobile. But mostly he's in my bed.

I don't worry about spoiling him because, like I said, this is the 3rd baby I've done this with. The others are now 8 and 10. When they were about 1 to 1 1/2 I started phasing them more into their own beds but still let them come into mine when they needed to. By 3 they were pretty much in their own bed, and now they even put themselves to bed with very little from me - just hugs and kisses and sometimes a brief tucking in.

It all depends on your goals. But I wanted to give my kids time to feel safe and secure. And now they are both very strong, independent, and confident children. So it can work to let her sleep with you, as long as you have a big enough bed and it works for you.

I don't know what it's called but this worked with both of mine... couple nights of hell and you'll be done, BUT YOU HAVE TO FOLLOW THRU...

Put her in bed - leave the room close the door (or whatever your routine will be) and set a timer for 5 minutes. In 5 minutes if she is up and fussing go in without turning on lights and pat her and try to sooth her for no more than 30 seconds, but DO NOT PICK HER UP. Leave the room and set a timer for 10 minutes and repeat this process adding 5 minutes at a time until she has gone to sleep. It took me two nights and we only got through 4 sessions before they were out and once they learn how to sooth themself you'll be better off. I would never recommend letting a child cry unless you know for certain their needs have been met (fed, warm, clean diaper) - so as long as she is just mad this technique will work. Most everyone I know has used it to some degree or another with good results. It is hard as a mom to hear them crying and know how simple it is to pick them up and make them happy, but letting her learn how to sooth herself is a gift and the sooner she learns it the better. I know you say this hasn't worked, but it just hasn't worked YET - because you have eventually given in she has learned that if she crys long enough you will rescue her, you have to teach her that it won't work... Believe me, she will eventually fall asleep even if it takes an hour.

That being said, she is your child and you have to do whatever you are comfortable doing. I will tell you that I had a friend that found this method cruel and had a 14 month old still waking her up at 2am every morning for a bottle! She finally decided she had to follow thru and doing this method at 14 months is definitely tougher - the longer you wait the more ingrained the habit is to break.

Good luck!

How is she when you put her down? When she's in your room, does she sleep? Do you have a routine with her? Have you tried shifting her bedtime at all? I know it sounds crazy but when you are putting her to bed she could already be "past" the magic moment and overtired/stimulated.

If you don't have a routine (or a very strict one) try establishing one so that she is prepared emotionally and mentally for bed which will help her physically. Calm, quiet, easy going. Work on putting her in the crib and staying calm. Slowly work your way to the door each night. Calm her before she gets too fussy - if she starts to kick it up a notch, quietly talk to her, sing a gentle song. She will figure it out. Babies at 2 months old are learning "cause and effect" but they are not at the age where they have figured out manipulation.

The fleece sheets are a great idea - cotton can be so chilling to little bodies.

I don't know how you feel about co-sleeping (and please don't let this turn into a debate, what works for some doesn't work for others. When done properly and safely, co-sleeping is a wonderful thing), but we used an arms reach co-sleeper until our son was close to 8 months and then moved him into bed with us. He was there until about 26 months when he decided he was ready for a big boy room. We set everything up for him and he has been there ever since (he's 5 now). To us sleep and our physical/mental/emotional health was more important than worrying about him learning to sleep in his own room or what anyone though of us sharing a family bed.

Like kegonzales said, whatever you choose to do be consistent as well as do what is right for you and your family. If it feels like it's working, it probably is.. don't rock the boat.

I think 2.5 months is WAY to young to let her "cry it out" We are just doing that now with my 8 month old. At this point when a new born cries there is prob something wrong. I would try gripe water for gas, tylenol for possible teething pain, and swadling.

Just my opinion..

I have to say... at two months, you should just hold her and love her and hold her and love her until she gets to sleep and work on sleep training later. A child this young absolutely does not have the mindset to manipulate you. What she craves is human affection and an attachment to you-which she will gain by you holding her a lot. Enjoy her and hold her as much as you can now-before long, she won't want you because she'll want to explore!!

This!!! Yes you want your bed back and letting them cry for a few mins is fine, but 2 months is still a time as i remember it that they are eating every few hours. There will be plenty of time for crib training later.

You've gotten great advice already.

Make sure you check with your pediatrician too - maybe your baby is colicky?

I HIGHLY recommend a product called "the miracle blanket" - it's a swaddle blanket (looks more like a baby straight jacket) that they can't bust out of and you can use it until about 4 months old.

Also, until 4 months old, I agree with the other poster- sleep train later, baby isn't manipulating you this young (yet). So hold that baby if you want.

Also, check out the DVD, The Best Baby on the Block- it talks about the 5 S's to bring sleep:

Swaddle
Suckle (pacifer)
Side (lay on side)- done while in your lap, not left in the crib this way
Shake (NOT shaking baby - just a very, very gentle, soft bounce - watch the video!)
Shush (make white "shhhh" noise with your voice)

I know it sounds lame but the 5 techniques, if done properly as shown in the video will calm ANY screaming baby! Rent it at your library. There is a book also - but I haven't read it.