What to do before sleep training?

Question

So I know your not supposed to really try to sleep train before your baby is 3-4 months because they aren't ready before then (can't self soothe, day night confusion, need to eat more frequently, etc) but my question is what do you do before then?  Is it okay to rock and comfort baby to sleep, have them sleep in swings/on chest/in arms, and other "bad" sleep habits?  Should I be trying to have my son fall asleep on his own by putting him to bed drowsy and try to avoid rocking,  etc to sleep?

I don't know why but this sleep thing has me more stressed out then anything!  I'm worried that I will screw his sleep up forever if I don't do it right!

My son is 9 weeks right now.

Answer

I'd suggest making a bed time routine first. Mine was simply diaper change, pjs, bottle, & rock to sleep to Billy Joel. Now I started bed sharing again (he asleep through the night when he's with me) so it's diaper change, bottle, & sometimes rocked. Once you have a routine you can start working on him falling asleep on his own or you can keep helping him sleep if you want.

Answer

If you can get your baby to fall asleep with a bottle (or nursing) I'd work on that in the next few weeks. Not so much sleep training, but soon your baby will understand the bottle/sleep association and it's a pain to break!! My son is 7 months old and ever since 4 months he will not fall asleep without a bottle in his mouth and still wakes every 2 hours for it. We have tried a few sleep training methods, but have yet to found one that works for us. Obviously you're going to do whatever you can to get LO to sleep, but if you can avoid using a bottle, DO IT.

**nursing moms may feel different. I was unable to nurse due to my son being in the nicu and getting used to the bottle right off the bat, but I can understand nursing to get in cuddles and not wanting to give that up!

Answer

Honestly you're in the survival mode time I say do whatever gets you and baby sleep. And please don't think that you need to sleep train your baby... it's not a must and I would say definitely hold off until baby is at least 6 months old...until then enjoy the snuggles and invest in a carrier you feel comfortable with.

Answer

First work on the routine you plan to establish (ie, crib or wherever baby will sleep). I still nurse to sleep. My 5 month old woke up to eat at least once a night until last week. I woukdnt consider sleep training until after the 4 month regression.  After that see what his habits are. My kid self soothes.  We didn't need to sleep train (we may not be out of woods who knows ) but don't stress.  If baby sleeps in your room fine, but get out of swing, put into the longer term place so you can have a routine and stick to it

What to do before sleep training?

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