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Your
baby should start sleeping through the night at about 3 months. But
babies are learning and observing all the time, and your baby could
soon start to associate sleep time with time that mommy isn’t
there.
It’s called separation anxiety and it’s a normal
part of development
for many babies. But it can be especially trying for parents, as babies
can be particularly strong-willed, especially about bedtime!
You
may be introducing some baby foods at this time, and this can help your
baby feel sleepy. Remember to introduce new patterns gently and slowly.
If the baby isn’t going to sleep or keeps waking up and
crying for you,
then she needs to learn to self-comfort, but not all at once. Ease her
into the habit of sleeping alone.
Don’t
change your rituals at bedtime. You can still start out with a warm
bath and feeding. Rocking and snuggling, singing or reading –
these are
all bonding times for mother and baby. If the baby doesn’t
fall asleep
right away, try putting her in her crib with the rocker or glider right
next to the crib, singing or reading to her. You can stand at the crib
and rub or pat her back.
In
a week or
two, move the chair a short distance away from the crib, so the baby
can see you. You can talk or read or sing. If she cries for more than
10 or 15 minutes, then get up and comfort her, but put her back down in
the crib and go back to your chair.
In
another week or two, move the farther away, towards the door. Even
these minor changes could be hard for your baby, but be patient
.
This
is a time when you can fold her laundry and put it away, talking to
her, so she’s aware of your presence, but your attention
isn’t focused
entirely on her. This way she can get used to the idea of separation
gradually.
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