Does anyone have a gentle but firm way to help second baby fall asleep on her own. I would love to hold her all day as I did my first but I can't because of my first and I am at a loss how to get her started. This little one, one week being shy of her third month mark, won't take a pacifier and so wants to use me to fall asleep. Any advice would be very much appreciated. I am not ready to let her scream it out which is why I ask for gentle but firm ideas.
Thanks!
I put a Glow Worm in bed w/ my son, it plays soft music for 5 minutes. He loves it. He's now 7 months and still uses it. Now he knows how to turn it on himself :)
Two suggestions. First, look into a baby carrier. I recommend Ringslings, the Moby wrap (I've never used it, but all my friends love it), or a soft carrier like a Beco. Stay away from pocket slings, which have to fit you exactly to be safe for your baby. This way, you can carry Baby with you a lot of the time while you're chasing after your first. This will help keep Baby more satisfied and you can hold her longer (and if she's anything like my son, she'll fall asleep in the carrier easily).
Secondly, you could try putting her down after she falls asleep. I'm sure you've tried this already, but there are a couple of tricks that help. If she likes it, swaddle her so that she feels like she's being held. White noise also helps. Always wait a little longer than you think you should to make sure she is in a deep sleep. After you set her down, keep your arms around her for a few minutes (yes, this hurts your back a bit, sorry) so that the initial shock of being set down is followed by the realization that Mommy is still holding her. Then ease away a bit at a time. This technique really helped with my son! Finally, have you tried several different brands of pacis? Each child has very different preferences. But I know some babies just won't take them, and that must be difficult. Good luck!
http://www.freewebs.com/sidecarcrib/index.htm <----- that's how our little one sleeps. right beside me. But I'm able to get him to sleep and then get up and he keeps sleeping. gentle and easy!
I also have my second baby (my older daughter is almost 3) and my son (6wks) also pretty much only likes to sleep on/with me for most of the day too. So, I use my ergo carrier and put him in it when he is ready to sleep and he falls alseep in it, and it frees up my hands so I can play with/assist my daughter, Occasionally I lay him down after he is in a deep sleep, but for the most part the carrier is a big help!
