Help! How do I start training my 3.5 month old to self-sleep?

Question

My son is 3.5 months and will not sleep unless he is nursed right before. He falls asleep nursing and then I carefully place him down.  We are getting ready to transition him to his crib and want to be able to place him in there when he is getting tired and just walk away... But I'm worried it may take "crying it out". Any suggestions besides letting him cry it out? 
How long does it really take for them to master that repetition?

Answer

Well at that age it's not unusual to eat and pass out. Keeps them asleep longer too.

Answer

I've been trying to do the same thing. My guy will fall asleep but it usually takes 1 to 3 tries for him to stay asleep once he's in his crib. I am trying to just put a binky in his mouth and patting and shushing him and it seems to be working. The other problem is that my guy generally falls asleep while eating so it is hard to try to put him down before he falls asleep. I also just started reading the No Cry Sleep Solution.

Answer

I tried to get my babe to unlatch for burping when her blinks start to get long. If she starts to whine I get up and walk in circles in her room till shes settled down then I sit and burp her. If she starts to cry we sit and nurse then try again and again. Slowly break that association with sleep. Eventually you won't have to get up. Then you can work on putting them in bed drowsy but awake and patting them on the butt and shushing till they are asleep. But one step at a time :) first work on breaking that eat/sleep association. Mine now eats then falls asleep after I burp her sitting up like this (she has to sit up after eating to help with reflux)

Answer

After I feed my baby I burp her. I put her down as she's falling asleep. If she starts fussing I give her a minute or two and then go over and out abinky in her mouth and pat her tummy. When she's calm I walk away. I just kept doing it. Now I can put her down awake after feeding her and she will put herself to sleep. It just takes patience! I find it's better than cry it out because she sees me and knows I'm there.

Help! How do I start training my 3.5 month old to self-sleep?

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