How to get your 2 month old to sleep?

Asked by Dani {163}
4/26/2010 9:11:19 AM

My two month old son doesn't like to go to sleep - he fights it all the time. His latest thing is he wants a bottle to fall asleep to - he will fall asleep with about 2oz of formula. I don't want to make this a habit. Any suggestions of how else I can get him to slee easier?

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Answered by thepurplehairednanny {216}
5/1/2010 1:02:33 PM

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A bottle is pretty typical of an infant going to bed. It helps them sleep. As far as the rest, I would ask if he's crying, or just not sleeping. If he's just not sleeping, give him some time. Many times, just like with adults, babies need time to just lay there and quiet their minds before actually falling asleep. It's hard work being a baby! Lots of new things happen, and they have to process everything.

I would try giving him a bottle and staying with him till he's kinda drowsy, and then slip out, and listen for the baby monitor. If he cries, let him cry for about five minutes. A lot of moms make it harder on themselves by coming in as soon as the baby cries. Many times the baby is just crying because they are so tired and they don't know what to do about it.

If he's still crying after five minutes, try rocking some more or giving him a pacifier.

The other thing I've found to work very well to get the baby drowsy, or if they are just fussy in bed, is infant massage. Try laying him in his crib, and rubbing his feet, arms, legs, and hands while talking very softly as he drinks his bottle. This usually does it. That, or laying him on his stomach and just patting, or rubbing his back while he falls asleep.

I would try to keep baby awake till the end of a bottle so then they are exhausted with a full belly. tickkle toes, undress baby, talk to he or she...kepp em awake! - GotDub 10/4/2010 2:41:43 PM | Flag

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	Comments from Facebook
		Leah Roberts Give him the bottle and enjoy rocking him to sleep! You`ll both enjoy the time together before bed...He`ll sleep more soundly! Monday, October 04, 2010

		Ruby Parks Stick with the bottle. Other ideas are bathing him in lavendar scented bath wash as well. Monday, October 04, 2010

		Debi Martin Adam I did the bath and let him find his way to dreamland all alone. You`ll fnd that baby cavities start early so the bottle thing shouldn`t be a long-term fix. Also - once they are sleep trained without aids like a bottle or rocking - they`ll be so much easier long term. Good Luck - take all advice with a grain of salt - you`re the parent - trust your instincts. Monday, October 04, 2010

		Kim Smith I agree with Debi that you have gather all of the ideas you can and then choose what works for you. I`m going to go ahead and break all of the rules and say do whatever he wants. I will not leave my baby to cry. While I get up with my 9month old, I look at my 17 year old and I have decided that time passes to quickly. I will take every second of snuggling I can get! Monday, October 04, 2010

		Cheryl Bolin Babies are all diferent just like you and I are different. He will go to sleep when he`s ready to. I don`t think that the bottle thing is good because of choking, but I also don`t agree with the whole let him cry himself to sleep thing either. He has to feel safe and secure to be able to sleep soundly and for developmental reasons. My suggestion is either let him lay on the couch next to you so that he doesn`t squirm his way off, but so that he can feel your presence next to him. That`s what I d Monday, October 04, 2010

		Melissa Oldes Pawlick I have found that my son falls asleep hearing background music while I read him a book. Trusting your instincts and watching how your baby reacts to things will help you figure it out. Also the bedtime bath helps alot with a routine every night. Monday, October 04, 2010

		Shikha Sethi ? give ur baby a bedtime lotion massage..it really helps ! Monday, October 04, 2010

		Tamara Mocny Giving him a warm bath before bed mabey even a messsage. Pacifiers worked well also, and If he woke up through the night, I would let him cry himself to sleep, it helps their vocal cords as well. If your baby gets used to you picking him up every time he cries,he will expect that from you every time. (this is only if your baby is not hungry or need to be changed) Tuesday, October 05, 2010

		Sara Sudkamp Feeding him to go to sleep is not bad. He is so young and his stomach is so small that if he goes to sleep on an empty stomach then he is more likely to wake up at night. I recomend that you get a miracle blanket! It is the best thing ever. We give it to all of our friends as a shower gift. The best $30 we ever spent! You can get it with free shipping on Amazon. Tuesday, October 05, 2010

		Maria Coral A bath always put mine to sleep still till this day i noticed they sleep a lot better when they take a bath at night!!!!! Tuesday, October 05, 2010

		Akima Clyburn-Green he`s only 2 months give him that baba and rock him to sleep. You have a long way to go 2 months Ha wait till he`s two and you have to chase him to go to sleep! :) Tuesday, October 05, 2010

		Stacy Chavoya my son is 3 and a half and still does not sleep all the way through the night. I always feel like a walking zombie from not getting enough sleep. I keep telling myself maybe tomorrow he`ll actually sleep maybe tomorrow maybe tomorrow but it still hasnt happened Thursday, October 07, 2010