Sudden change in falling asleep.

Hazel - posted on 06/24/2010 ( 7 moms have responded )

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Our DD has always slept in her own bed, the bassinet at first, and was moved to her crib at 5 months. We always felt so lucky because we were able to put her down at night with ease. She would most of the time be wide awake and fall asleep with out fussing. Now at nearly 9 months, she is starting to cry when we place her in her crib.
She was falling asleep perfectly fine since 5 months and now every time she gets very upset. She is changed and fed right before I put her to sleep like normal nights, I play soft music for her to soothe her, will give her a bath, make sure the room temp is right and it seems like no matter what I do each night results in her crying and it seems to be getting worse. I try and let her fuss or cry for a minute or two but cannot stand to hear her cry and also have read numerous studies about the "Cry it Out" method and how it can emotionally damage children who are simply left to cry to sleep. My husband and I are so tired at night and take turns soothing her to sleep. Once she falls asleep she'll sleep through the night. Her naps are normal for her, One afternoon nap (45mins to an hour) and a evening nap of the same. She use to also take her naps in her crib, but again, nap time is the same resulting in crying so I have been letting her sleep in her swing. Any suggestions or similar stories about sudden changes?

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Hazel - posted on 06/27/2010

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I hear you, Stephie. I actually got a full night sleep last night..and best of all..she napped twice already today in her crib with no fuss...so there is hope! LOL.

Stephiebrat22 - posted on 06/27/2010

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Chelsea just started having a harder time at night too. I'm glad to see it's not just me. Makes the bags under my eyes in the morning not seem as bad lol

Hazel - posted on 06/26/2010

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Thanks for all the suggestions everyone! I was beginning to worry we wouldn't be having a normal night sleep with her. Went to her 9mo appointment yesterday and the Dr. said it was a perfectly normal phase of separation anxiety possibly mixed with teething. Tonight was a relief as well as my husband and I got ready for our nightly "bed time" ritual for her and when it was time to put her in her crib we both cringed knowing she would probably start crying but to our surprise she went right to bed with no fuss and has been fast asleep. I think so far this week, the "Cry it out" method didn't really work, it just made her more upset and us way more frustrated. I think the extra cuddling helped assure her she would be comfy in her bed, thus tonight, no fuss. Here's to hoping this is how tomorrow night will turnout, LOL.

Kristi - posted on 06/26/2010

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I think @ this age they start to realize you are on the other side of their bedroom door, and they just miss you, separation anxiety or whatever. Tough lil phase, but it'll pass... I hope! I'm right there with you! :)

Crystal - posted on 06/25/2010

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No my bub is doing EXACTLY the same thing.. and there is a post just before this of a similar story.. she screams at her night time bed time, absolutely turns into the exorcist child! So I pick her up (I am also against the CIO method) and calm her down.. then I put her back down,where she will cry and scream again but I will sit next to her cot, low down so she has to be laying to see me, and sing to her.. this usually calms her down after a little while.. it is ok to let them cry for a little bit if it is just sleep they are fighting and they are not too emotional.. this seems to be working and although I am in the room, I am not actually holding her and she is still in her cot.

If I try and leave the room too early she just starts up again, so I suggest staying in the room til she is nearly asleep or asleep.. HOpe this helps in some way..

During the day my bub is the same, but she tends to play and stand up happily for a while so usually she will fall asleep on her own, I have learnt that if she is happy don't go in there, coz it starts her up coz she wants me to stay..

Erin - posted on 06/25/2010

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is she teething? or it could be seperation anxiety? mine is having both of those problems, but we co-sleep so IDK?

Darlene - posted on 06/25/2010

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I'll be honest but I haven't heard of this. Is it possible she had a bad experience in her crib? Maybe rolled over and hurt herself and now she is scared of it? It could be a bad dream she had and sometimes babies develop separation anxiety, maybe this is related to something like that?? You may want to bring it up to the Dr. if you haven't already. I will say this, I have 3 kids and I did the cry it out method for all of them and they are fine (that doesn't mean all kids are fine with it). I would lay them down awake and go in every 5 mins or so, so they knew I didn't abandon them but I would not pick them up or give them a bottle and that was the only way 2 of them would sleep through the night but they once they started sleeping through the night they never reverted so I don't know if the "cry it out" method would be good for your daughter anyway.