7 Month Old WILL NOT SLEEP

Hi J.! I have a boy that was born July 25th and he's actually starting to do the same thing. I don't know if it's because we've just put one of those fish things that play music in his crib and he's scared of it. But, we've had the routine of bath, bottle and bed at bedtime since he was born. So, he knows it's bedtime, but lately he will just cry as soon as we put him down. I will stand next to his crib until he falls asleep, which is usually about 5 minutes or so. I think it's separation anxiety, normal at that age!

I agree if it's not an ear infection or another health problem the best thing to do is let him cry. I know that it's hard sometimes but you don't have to let him cry forever. I always let my son cry for a while but if he persisted and seemed really upset I would go to his crib and try to calm him without picking him up. It is the best thing in the world when your child can sooth themself. It may take a while and a lot of work on your part but it's so worth it in the end. I am still able to lay him down and walk away... no crying and staying in his toddler bed.

Is he rubbing his ears? He might have an ear infections.
M.

well, to try to get him to stay asleep when you lay him down, you could try using a heating pad on the area where his usually is in the crib. let it sit there for about 5 minutes before you put him down, and remove it before you put him down, that way he feels the warmth instead of the cool sheets, and might be easier to keep him asleep. or try to have a blanket under his head when you put him to sleep so that his head doesn't touch the cold sheets when he is in the crib, so it makes the transition easier. hope this helps
is he teething? maybe try rubbing a bit of baby ambesol on his gums before the bedtime ritual.

If you haven't already... make sure he doesn't have an ear infection that will cause a presure change when he lays down causing a lot of pain. We went through that with my daughter. Other ideas is he sleeping to much during the day? He may have already hit a point of not needing so many naps... a good idea since he's still a little guy trying adding some fun crib toys ones that attach them self to the crib and play music, glow, he can kick them to play. He may just need something to sooth himself to sleep. Just a couple ideas

I am actually going through the same thing with my seven month old and went through it with my 2 year old when she was that age. The reason he doesn't want to sleep at night is because he's at the age where he realizes you don't just disappear when you leave. He know that Mommy and Daddy are out there having fun and he doesn't want to miss out. The only thing that has worked for me is to let my children cry until they go to sleep. Going in to the room and holding them or trying to comfort them only makes my children cry harder when I leave again. Letting them cry seems to work, although it may take a week or more. Good luck and don't worry. It's completely normal. Try going somewhere in the house where you can't hear him or walking outside for a few minutes. That seems to help me when I want to pull my hair out.

have you had him check by a doctor? my son who is 7 mths had acid reflex so when he laid down it would really bother him. but i know now my son is teething so he isnt sleeping to well but i give him some over the counter medicine to help relieve the pain.

I have to be short but just recently my 2 1/2 year old developed a terrible fear of a bad guy or his crib we were desperate for 2 months with the whole family not getting any sleep. we of course did the wrong things trying to solve the problem like rocking until he went to sleep and letting him sleep in our bed -
The Sleep Lady Shuffle was the miracle that worked. It is about a 2 week process. You put the child to bed and you stay right next to the crib giving them physical and verbal reassurance that you love them and will be there. You just are not allowed to pick them up. In 3 day increments you stay in one position until they go to sleep, then 4th day you move your chair a little further from crib closer to the door stay there for 3 days and 7th day move further. eventually you are out in the hall - they can still hear you but can't see you. first 3 days didn't look promising to me my child screamed himself to sleep with me talking softly to him but on the fourth night he actually didn't scream just kept checking that i was there.

I agree that you have to first make sure its not an ear infection. Also the same as an ear infection, teething can cause more pain when in a laying position. After that I have no advice, sorry, our 9 month old still doesn't sleep through the night and also cries when we put her down, I think its more of a security issue for her, she likes to be close to me when she sleeps. I am not a fan of letting them cry it out, so I can't say whether that works. Good Luck!

J....
As much as it may hurt, you need to put him down awake...and walk away. He needs to learn to soothe himself to sleep again...since you claim he was ok before now. Does he have one of those music machines with lights.....that always helped my girls. How is he for his nap?
B.

Hi J.:

Have you had your child checked for an ear infection? Sometimes when they lay down it hurts.....

Good luck, hope that this helps

Everytime he hits the mattress he starts screaming? How's daddys ritual as far as putting him down to to take naps. Maybe he's having bad dreams. Even children at this young age understand when we explain things to them..Do you put your son into bed the same time every night? If not,I would suggest that this might help. Lay down with him for a little. Show him that it's okay. It will take time and patients. Just make sure that everyday and night that lil Anthony stays on a schedule as far as naps and bedtime. It's good to start our little people on structure and consistency..good habits for adulthood.

I agree with the other Mom's that it could be an ear infection. If he has a cold, he may also have a harder time breathing when he is laying down. My son's Dr. told me to let him sleep in his car seat carrier, with it placed in his crib. As long as the sides are all the way up on the crib, he shouldn't fall out. I still do it with my 1 1/2 year old, when he wakes up during the night, while he has a cold. He doesn't use his care seat carrier in the car anymore, but he sometimes sleeps in it when he has a cold.

Have you heard of "The happiest baby on the block" DVD? It worked wonders using the techniques taught on it. You may want to pick that up if you haven't already seen it.