How can you to put a baby down awake but drowsy?

Question

I keep reading that you should put a baby down to sleep they are awake but drowsy. What does it mean?  Does anyone have any tips or tricks to do this? I have tried this a few times but my daughter freaks out and starts screaming! Thank you!

Answer

I’ve always put my kids down awake. We do bath, diaper/jammies, teeth, and bed. Sound machines and ceiling fans on, hugs and kisses, in bed and doors closed. They have been putting themselves to sleep since day 1. They are 2 and 1 now. Get a good routine down, same thing at the same time every night. There will be some tears at first since you’re baby is used to being held or rocked to go to sleep, but you’ll both get there!

Answer

My boys didn’t really do drowsy but awake....until I started supplementing with formula.  Before formula, they were either awake or asleep with very little between.
You don’t have to supplement with formula.  This post is to let you know that if you feel like “drowsy but awake” is an urban legend, you are not alone.

Answer

I *try* to put my baby down once I see her eyes getting heavy. Sometimes I miss the window and she falls completely asleep in my arms. Regardless either way she will usually always wake up once I lay her down in the bassinet but I can usually get her drowsy again by rubbing her head before sneaking out of the nursery. I also still swaddle her.

Answer

When they start rubbing their eyes and yawning or when they are constantly closing and then opening fighting being awake

Answer

Do it at the first yawn or eye rub. The first couple of times they'll cry for a while, give it 10 minutes and then comfort.

Answer

If I let my boy get too drowsy, he does the same thing. I know he is good for 3 hours of awake time - but that's his limit. I usually put him down at the 2:30-2:45 mark, before the "too tired" creeps in. When he's more awake, he goes down like a champ.

Answer

If they look like they are getting tired lay them down

Answer

Put them down when they are yawning and kind of zoning out. Those are tired cues.

How can you to put a baby down awake but drowsy?

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