How do you break a motion sleep association when you can't leave your baby to cry.. way too hard.

Emily - posted on 01/31/2010

Look.. babies outgrow these things on their own. It's not a bad habit. I don't know of any adults that still need to be rocked to sleep... or any 5-year-olds for that matter. I rocked my son to sleep until around 18 months.. then he was able to fall asleep on his own. I never had to make him cry himself to sleep. I just don't think that's right or necessary. Just give her some time and be gentle. She is still so little. You don't have to rush to break any "habits." Her sleep will evolve in its own time.

Maira - posted on 01/31/2010

I'm having the same problem...I can't really give you some suggestions...but my doctor told me that after about 9 months you'll be stuck with your baby sleeping with you unless you break it off soon!

Sarah - posted on 01/31/2010

My opinion is that you are letting your 18 week old control your life right now. HOWEVER, she's only 18 weeks old!! (shrugs shoulders) I agree that you need to break the habit, or she will continue to be like this when she gets older. Nip it before it really does become a ridiculous thing. On the crying thing...well, that's probably one of the hardest things about being a new mommy. When I broke my son of his swing, I would lie him down in his crib, sing a song, turn out the lights, and shut the door. I would sit in my room and read a book, and after 10 minutes go and check on him. "Ok, he's not hurt, his diapers clean, and he's not hungry." GO READ YOUR BOOK! I would wait another 10 minutes, then 15 minutes, then 30 minutes...ect. Until he passed out. I'm not gonna lie...the first week will be torture for you. It's just something you have to grin and bare. Eventually, he will go to sleep. It's not gonna happen over night. It will take some time. It's a habit, and we all know habits are hard to break. With constant enforcement and a little persistence, we can conquer!

Kekua - posted on 01/31/2010

I think it's all about transition. This will take some time but you just push it less and less until you get to the point that when you put her in you don't move it and she's really just going to sleep in a still bassinet.

Arleena - posted on 01/31/2010

start slow rock until the baby is drowsy then put her in her bed with music then she might fuss a few seconds then she will go to sleep that is what I do with my daughter. You can also try letting her fuss for 10 mins then if she does not quiet down then you can go and comfort her and try putting her back in bed after she gets drowsy

Nikkole - posted on 01/31/2010

i rock my little girl half way to sleep, then i but her in her crib and turn on her sing pooh and she out. she 4mts old

Debbie - posted on 01/31/2010

I have 5 kids and have gone through something similar with a couple of them. My youngest son was probably the worst. I rocked him to sleep for every nap and at bedtime until he was 10 months old. It was the only time I really got to spend time with him. It took a long time for him to get used to going to sleep without being rocked.



What I tried was rocking him for slightly shorter times each time and then laying him down before he actually fell asleep. Sometimes he cried, and I would start over again or I would gently rub his back (or tummy) while he lay in his crib until he calmed down again. Over time, he got used to be laid down in his bed without being rocked.

Joslyn - posted on 01/31/2010

I rock my baby every day also. My daughters doctor told me once I rock her, I have too keep rocking her basically forever lol. But People been telling me that once they are 4 months then you can let them cry there self to sleep for 7 days and they will be on a pattern of sleeping by there self. I know its hard it breaks my heart... but get help! :)