Announcements
Get the support and information you need for your behavior, development and health related questions.
For more information:
Health and Parenting Health Center
Raising fit Kids
Keep up with the latest trends, thoughts and news from our experts:
Dr. Roy Benaroch Your Children's Health
Healthy Begins Here
For more information:
Health and Parenting Health Center
Raising fit Kids
Keep up with the latest trends, thoughts and news from our experts:
Dr. Roy Benaroch Your Children's Health
Healthy Begins Here
Includes Expert Content
Suggestions needed for sleep training a noncrying 6 month old!!
Emmyl posted:
My DD is almost 6 months old. We are really having a hard time with her at night. She doesn't cry at all she just plays! I really need to try some sort of sleep training for her, but I just don't know where to even start. She falls asleep fine, usually while feeding her. But about two hours later she starts moving around in her crib, rolling over and back and whatnot. I've tried to just leave her in the hopes that she is just moving around in her sleep (and she really usually is at this point), but she ends up waking herself up completely instead. If I get her up and put her on my belly she will fall back asleep fine, but then as soon as I try to put her back down, she starts scooting around again. It takes up to an hour to get her to lay back down. Then an hour or so later, she does it again. This time I feed her, and again it takes up to an hour to her to go back down. I really want to just leave her alone when she starts up the first time, hoping hoping hoping that she will put herself back to sleep, but she doesn't. This happens about three times a night at least. There are many mornings, like this morning, where if I'm not really really careful, she will wake up completely and party party party for an hour or more. Throughout this whole thing she never cries. She's just so happy and alert! lol If I weren't so darn tired it would be really cute. <sigh> Any suggestions? She's in our room right now, I'm wondering if we go ahead and put her in her own room if it will help some. The only problem with that is we have a toddler in the room across from where her room will be. Please please please! Offer some suggestions!!
9 Replies |Watch This Discussion | Report This| Share this:Suggestions needed for sleep training a noncrying 6 month old!!My DD is almost 6 months old. We are really having a hard time with her at night. She doesn't cry at all she just plays! I really need to try some sort of sleep training for her, but I just don't know where to even start. She falls asleep fine, usually while feeding her. But about two hours later she starts moving around in her crib, rolling over and back and whatnot. I've tried to just leave her in the hopes that she is just moving around in her sleep (and she really usually is at this point), but she ends up waking herself up completely instead. If I get her up and put her on my belly she will fall back asleep fine, but then as soon as I try to put her back down, she starts scooting around again. It takes up to an hour to get her to lay back down. Then an hour or so later, she does it again. This time I feed her, and again it takes up to an hour to her to go back down. I really want to just leave her alone when she starts up the first time, hoping hoping hoping that she will put herself back to sleep, but she doesn't. This happens about three times a night at least. There are many mornings, like this morning, where if I'm not really really careful, she will wake up completely and party party party for an hour or more. Throughout this whole thing she never cries. She's just so happy and alert! lol If I weren't so darn tired it would be really cute. <sigh> Any suggestions? She's in our room right now, I'm wondering if we go ahead and put her in her own room if it will help some. The only problem with that is we have a toddler in the room across from where her room will be. Please please please! Offer some suggestions!!
eliguns841984 responded:
Not everyone will agree with me, but I would put her in her own room and let her be. I say in her own room only because I'm assuming she can see you in the room with her when she wakes, and may not get the point that it's bedtime. ALSO, if you're in the same room and she's looking cute when she plays, you may be more tempted to interact with her 
My boys went through a brief period of doing this right around 5-6 months old too. I just kept one ear open and the monitor turned up, but did not go into the bedroom to get them. If she is alone and the lights are out (except maybe a night light or whatever) she will get the idea that it is not playtime eventually. Obviously, it is not hurting her to be awake and entertaining herself for a bit, so there is no need for you to go in and get her out of bed just because she's awake. Actually, if she's learning to play on her own in there, that's a good skill in itself...even though you would rather she learn to sleep first! It's a learning process, and she has to start to understand that bedtime is for sleeping and playtime is another thing. I bet it would only take a few days of just letting her be and she will start cutting down the time she spends playing and eventually stop waking altogether.
My boys went through a brief period of doing this right around 5-6 months old too. I just kept one ear open and the monitor turned up, but did not go into the bedroom to get them. If she is alone and the lights are out (except maybe a night light or whatever) she will get the idea that it is not playtime eventually. Obviously, it is not hurting her to be awake and entertaining herself for a bit, so there is no need for you to go in and get her out of bed just because she's awake. Actually, if she's learning to play on her own in there, that's a good skill in itself...even though you would rather she learn to sleep first! It's a learning process, and she has to start to understand that bedtime is for sleeping and playtime is another thing. I bet it would only take a few days of just letting her be and she will start cutting down the time she spends playing and eventually stop waking altogether.Report This| Share this:Suggestions needed for sleep training a noncrying 6 month old!!Not everyone will agree with me, but I would put her in her own room and let her be. I say in her own room only because I'm assuming she can see you in the room with her when she wakes, and may not get the point that it's bedtime. ALSO, if you're in the same room and she's looking cute when she plays, you may be more tempted to interact with her <img src="http://img.webmd.com/community/images/wink.gif" align="top" border="0"> My boys went through a brief period of doing this right around 5-6 months old too. I just kept one ear open and the monitor turned up, but did not go into the bedroom to get them. If she is alone and the lights are out (except maybe a night light or whatever) she will get the idea that it is not playtime eventually. Obviously, it is not hurting her to be awake and entertaining herself for a bit, so there is no need for you to go in and get her out of bed just because she's awake. Actually, if she's learning to play on her own in there, that's a good skill in itself...even though you would rather she learn to sleep first! It's a learning process, and she has to start to understand that bedtime is for sleeping and playtime is another thing. I bet it would only take a few days of just letting her be and she will start cutting down the time she spends playing and eventually stop waking altogether.
Emmyl replied to eliguns841984's response:
I bet it would only take a few days of just letting her be and she will start cutting down the time she spends playing and eventually stop waking altogether
That's the most reassuring thing I've heard all day!! Thank you so much. I just ordered a baby monitor from Amazon this morning. Hopefully it will get here soon. I guess it's just hard to know that they are awake and playing, and I'm not there with them, even if it is 3:00 in the morning and I'm dead tired! I've just got to make myself leave her alone. Plus, with my 22 month old in the next room, I'm always afraid he's going to wake up, and once he's awake, we're all awake!
That's the most reassuring thing I've heard all day!! Thank you so much. I just ordered a baby monitor from Amazon this morning. Hopefully it will get here soon. I guess it's just hard to know that they are awake and playing, and I'm not there with them, even if it is 3:00 in the morning and I'm dead tired! I've just got to make myself leave her alone. Plus, with my 22 month old in the next room, I'm always afraid he's going to wake up, and once he's awake, we're all awake!
Report This| Share this:Suggestions needed for sleep training a noncrying 6 month old!!<i> I bet it would only take a few days of just letting her be and she will start cutting down the time she spends playing and eventually stop waking altogether</i><br /><i></i> <br />That's the most reassuring thing I've heard all day!! Thank you so much. I just ordered a baby monitor from Amazon this morning. Hopefully it will get here soon. I guess it's just hard to know that they are awake and playing, and I'm not there with them, even if it is 3:00 in the morning and I'm dead tired! I've just got to make myself leave her alone. Plus, with my 22 month old in the next room, I'm always afraid he's going to wake up, and once he's awake, we're all awake!
eliguns841984 replied to Emmyl's response:
Good luck! keep us posted 
Report This| Share this:Suggestions needed for sleep training a noncrying 6 month old!!Good luck! keep us posted <img src="http://img.webmd.com/community/images/smile.gif" align="top" border="0">
I agree w/ eliguns, move her out and let her be. Her playing isn't going to wake up a 22 m/o-- actually, even she cries it probably won't wake up a sibling.
Report This| Share this:Suggestions needed for sleep training a noncrying 6 month old!!I agree w/ eliguns, move her out and let her be. Her playing isn't going to wake up a 22 m/o-- actually, even she cries it probably won't wake up a sibling.
seeit2 responded:
You might also take a look at how much sleep she is getting during the day - if it seems like a lot then cut it back so maybe she'll sleep better at night. Or, look at how long she is in the crib at night - is it too long a stretch? You could shorten that time by 15 minutes at a time until she learns to keep on sleeping instead of playing when she wakes.
Deb
Deb
Report This| Share this:Suggestions needed for sleep training a noncrying 6 month old!!You might also take a look at how much sleep she is getting during the day - if it seems like a lot then cut it back so maybe she'll sleep better at night. Or, look at how long she is in the crib at night - is it too long a stretch? You could shorten that time by 15 minutes at a time until she learns to keep on sleeping instead of playing when she wakes.<br /><br />Deb
Emmyl responded:
Thanks everybody! It was another sleepless night. Both kids woke up. lol I really think our kids are trying to kill us! Our mantra these days are, if we can just make it through the next five years... I've decided it's my fault though. I prayed when the baby was really little for some angels to entertain her for just a little while so I could get some rest, lol. They haven't stopped yet! In all honesty, i'd rather that be the case than her be upset at night. I tried to leave her alone last night (well, early this morning really), when she started doing the rolling around bit and whatnot. Actually I slept through it. By the time I woke up, she was doing her usual party stuff. Towards the end she usually starts getting fussy and I have to get her up and rock her a bit anyway. By that time I had to get up for work. Oh well...this too shall pass! I ordered a baby monitor yesterday, hopefully it will come soon and we can move her into her own room.
Report This| Share this:Suggestions needed for sleep training a noncrying 6 month old!!Thanks everybody! It was another sleepless night. Both kids woke up. lol I really think our kids are trying to kill us! Our mantra these days are, if we can just make it through the next five years... I've decided it's my fault though. I prayed when the baby was really little for some angels to entertain her for just a little while so I could get some rest, lol. They haven't stopped yet! In all honesty, i'd rather that be the case than her be upset at night. I tried to leave her alone last night (well, early this morning really), when she started doing the rolling around bit and whatnot. Actually I slept through it. By the time I woke up, she was doing her usual party stuff. Towards the end she usually starts getting fussy and I have to get her up and rock her a bit anyway. By that time I had to get up for work. Oh well...this too shall pass! I ordered a baby monitor yesterday, hopefully it will come soon and we can move her into her own room.
eliguns841984 replied to Emmyl's response:
try to stick it out! That was night ONE. Was she still in your room? If so, she may have been fussy because she could see you and wanted you to pick her up. I believe that a lot of the time, parents struggle with getting their babies/kids in healthy sleep habits because they don't stick it out for the initial, difficult period.
Report This| Share this:Suggestions needed for sleep training a noncrying 6 month old!!try to stick it out! That was night ONE. Was she still in your room? If so, she may have been fussy because she could see you and wanted you to pick her up. I believe that a lot of the time, parents struggle with getting their babies/kids in healthy sleep habits because they don't stick it out for the initial, difficult period.
Emmyl replied to eliguns841984's response:
Success! Sort of!... Instead of having to hold her for an hour last night, I held her butt down (literally, lol) and patted her back until she relaxed and went back to sleep. The she slept until 1:00 instead of 12:00! After that I put her back down immediately, instead of holding her for another hour to get her back to sleep, and again, held her butt down until she relaxed. She didn't go back to sleep immediately that time, but she did play for about 10 or 15 minutes and then (and this is what excites me most!), she fell asleep on her own!! I didn't have to feed her again or rock her or anything! And THEN she slept until I woke her up at 6:45 to feed her and get her ready for daycare. This is the first time since she was born that she has slept in the same place all night! I'm going to be strong and continue this routine until she is sleeping through the night! I feel like a real mother again!! Thanks for all of your advise and support! I will keep you updated!
Thanks for all of your advise and support! I will keep you updated!Report This| Share this:Suggestions needed for sleep training a noncrying 6 month old!!Success! Sort of!... Instead of having to hold her for an hour last night, I held her butt down (literally, lol) and patted her back until she relaxed and went back to sleep. The she slept until 1:00 instead of 12:00! After that I put her back down immediately, instead of holding her for another hour to get her back to sleep, and again, held her butt down until she relaxed. She didn't go back to sleep immediately that time, but she did play for about 10 or 15 minutes and then (and this is what excites me most!), she fell asleep on her own!! I didn't have to feed her again or rock her or anything! And THEN she slept until I woke her up at 6:45 to feed her and get her ready for daycare. This is the first time since she was born that she has slept in the same place all night! I'm going to be strong and continue this routine until she is sleeping through the night! I feel like a real mother again!! <img src="http://img.webmd.com/community/images/smile.gif" align="top" border="0"> Thanks for all of your advise and support! I will keep you updated!
eliguns841984 replied to Emmyl's response:
yay!!!! Keep going mama, you're doing the right thing and your baby does not have to feel neglected because you are right there with her when she needs you. I have always said that the worst thing you can do when sleep training is hold them to sleep! I'm glad it's working for you, and I would again be willing to bet this will not take long and she will be sleeping well very soon.
Report This| Share this:Suggestions needed for sleep training a noncrying 6 month old!!yay!!!! Keep going mama, you're doing the right thing and your baby does not have to feel neglected because you are right there with her when she needs you. I have always said that the worst thing you can do when sleep training is hold them to sleep! I'm glad it's working for you, and I would again be willing to bet this will not take long and she will be sleeping well very soon.
Helpful Tips
Lavender Oil stopped Night Terros
My 10 year old son has suffered from night terrors for over 5 years now. Generally happens when he is sick, over tired or too hot in bed. ... More
Was this Helpful?
0
of
0 found this helpful
- Children Health:Ear and causes pain
- Children's Health:Symptoms of anemia in children
- Not as easy as some make it out by simply being the boss.
Helpful Resources
Expert Blog
Child Health 411 - Ari Brown, MD
Educated parents are empowered parents! Get clear answers to your parenting questions from Dr. Ari Brown...Read More
Recent Posts
- So Long, Farewell 08/30/2010
- Eggs, Salmonella, and Food Poisoning, Oh My! 08/27/2010
- Back-to-School Checklist 08/24/2010
- “Do You Take or Buy Your Lunch?” 08/20/2010
- Is It Strep? 08/18/2010
Related News
Related Drug Reviews
- Drug Name User Reviews
Report Problems to the
Food and Drug Administration
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
Other Parenting Information
- Parenting Health Center
- Parenting Preteens and Teenagers Member Community Talk with other moms and dads like you!
- Autism Support Group Get support from other parents of children with Autism!
-
More Related Communities
The opinions expressed in WebMD User-generated content areas like communities, reviews, ratings, or blogs are solely those of the User, who may or may not have medical or scientific training. These opinions do not represent the opinions of WebMD. User-generated content areas are not reviewed by a WebMD physician or any member of the WebMD editorial staff for accuracy, balance, objectivity, or any other reason except for compliance with our Terms and Conditions. Some of these opinions may contain information about treatments or uses of drug products that have not been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. WebMD does not endorse any specific product, service, or treatment.
Do not consider WebMD User-generated content as medical advice. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified healthcare provider because of something you have read on WebMD. You should always speak with your doctor before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your care plan or treatment. WebMD understands that reading individual, real-life experiences can be a helpful resource, but it is never a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment from a qualified health care provider. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or dial 911 immediately.
Health Solutions From Our Sponsors
About WebMD Advertise With Us Terms of Use Privacy Policy Sponsor Policy Site Map Careers Contact Us
First Aid WebMD Magazine WebMD Health Record WebMD Mobile Newsletters Dictionary Physician Directory
©2005-2013 WebMD, LLC. All rights reserved.
WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. See additional information.