M.C.
Hi T.,
Congrats on being a new mom! It sounds like you have an easy going baby. I say consider yourself lucky! I made the mistake of always either nursing or rocking my baby to sleep. She is now 7 months old and will not fall asleep without it. I know that you feel guilty that you should be in there with him, because I would feel that way too. It just means that you are a good mother. I say as long as he has a mobile or something to look at that he should be just fine. You can get those things that attach to the crib and make white noise and have little lights...I have one that looks like a fish bowl. It has soothing sounds and faint lights on it. Just so he's not staring at the wall, you know? Give him something to look at while he falls asleep.
You could try to push his bedtime back 15 minutes and see if he still falls asleep at the same time. Maybe you are putting him in there a tad too early. But I say if it aint broke don't fix it. He is healty and happy, right? It won't hurt him to lay in there until he falls asleep. You are lucky that he will do that. So many of us mothers have babies that will not put themselves to sleep. As one of those mothers let me tell you that it is exhausting to have to nurse or rock your baby to sleep every single night. It sounds like you are a good mommy that is doing a good job with your little boy! Don't feel guilty that you are not in there with him. You are NOT neglecting him by any means. Don't change his routine or you might regret it. I say as long as he has something to look at, he is just fine. Maybe try pushing bedtime back 15 minutes and see if that helps. Other than that....don't change a thing! Good luck to you!