Today all I want to do is sleep. But, of course, I cannot. My baby will not stay asleep for longer than 10-15 minutes. He'll fall asleep while I'm holding him and wake up squirming and whining 10-15 minutes later … if even that long! It is driving me nuts and he is always like this during nap time (if I am home with him or on the weekends). You can clearly tell he's sleepy.
After getting up fot the 10th time I decided to turn on his sing seahorse, give him his pacifier and let him fall asleep on his own. Is this bad at his age? I am laying in the guest room right next to his so I am not far. I try not to hold him a lot while sleeping. It gets frustrating at times because I feel I am glued to the couch holding him. I usually can't get much done and can't get 20-30 minutes of rest while I am sick.
I go back to work tomorrow and I feel like crap. Nothing I've taken is helping and I don't have anyone here close by that could watch him. The nearest are my inlaws and they live an hour away.
Suggestion:
We started letting our daughter learn to passify herself since she was 2 or 3 months of age. It has really helped us in the long run, because now I can take her and lay her down any time she is tired. If she's not ready for bed, she will play until she falls asleep. It may be hard to do, but you might need to let your little one "cry it out" Leave him in the crib for a few minutes and if he doesn't stop crying then go give him a paci, blanket, and/or stuffed animal. (Our daughter always has to have her blanket and her stuffed monkey) When you go in, don't pick him up, and don't give him too much attention. It may take a long time, but eventually he will learn to pacify himself until he falls asleep. Maybe this can help you!
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There's nothing wrong with that, as long as he isn't screaming himself into a tizzy. I've let my 8 month old fall asleep by himself since birth. I'll let him fuss and whine a bit, but I don't let him cry for more than a few minutes, and I definitely don't let him scream. As long as he's laying there quietly, he's fine to go to sleep on his own.
Welcome to motherhood. Some parts of it stink!! If he's having trouble sleeping and is still sick, I'd suggest bringing him in to bed with you so you can both get some rest if not sleep. Keep in perspective that if this is his first cold, he's probably in the worst pain/discomfort he has ever experienced while it is at most really annoying for you. At four months, he could begin to self sooth, but if he's not asleep after about 15 – 20 minutes, he's probably having more trouble that is worth it. Good luck and hopefully you'll be able to get some sleep soon.
It's never bad to let your baby fall asleep on their own, in fact it's a very healthy habit to get into. If he cries for a few minutes and falls asleep he'll be fine. I've been sick before with no one to help me and it's so hard to function, let alone take care of a child. As long as he's not crying and crying I'd say go for it, part of being a good mom is taking care of yourself too.
My girl is going to be 4 months on the 27th (next week) and she sleeps through the night then takes up to 3 naps a day (usually 2 but sometimes 3) all last at least 30 min to an hour. In the afternoon she will go up to 2 hours if we don't wake her.. She also sucks her thumb to self soothe.. I just think all babies are different..
How do you expect him to fall asleep, WHEN YOU'RE RIGHT THERE?
Put that baby in his bed, in his own room and then leave him alone! He'll NEVER learn to go to sleep on his own, if you don't! He DOES NOT need you there, you're making it WORSE!