Struggling to get baby to sleep

Have you tried just leaving him on his own for a few minutes? He might grizzle for a bit but you might find he starts to practise self soothing, does he have a comfort item? At this age they can start to find active settling like patting/rocking more stimulating as they get confused between the difference of it being for sleep time or interaction!

I have tried to leave him and he either plays for a 10 mins or so before crying, or he will just cry immediately. I always feel like he becomes more awake after I try it too. Whenever I try he ends up overtired and up for 5 hours instead of 3 😭 Any tips for introducing a comforter please?

Perhaps you could start with introducing it at bed time if that’s going well? Could you see if you could relax him to drowsy and then let him try to do the rest with holding s comforter? Some babies won’t be bothered by them but my son is obsessed with his muslin and rubs it on his face to go to sleep

Have you tried a dummy? Might be that the comfort of sucking might help but he just doesn’t want milk? We had this problem before and introduced a dummy and it worked wonders.

We did sleep training and the first time they do cry often for 30 mins, and the early visits often make them more upset, but after about 20 mins (can be longer depending on the baby) they started to self soothe and then fell asleep. Ever since then they have been to sleep in under 10 mins, usually around 5 and now go down with no crying.
Not for everyone but if you are going to do this is would recommend reading up on what method to use and have a plan because inconsistency can make it worse. It was the best thing we did, 1 day with a bit of crying and now she is so calm at bedtime - way less crying than before we did it and when she was fighting being put down in the cot. We still go in at night if she cries, but she can now get to sleep herself and sleeps longer stretches which has been transformational.

He's never really liked a dummy unfortunately, we did try to introduce one during 4 month sleep regression, but he'd always push it straight out!

sounds life changing, but I don't think I'd be able to manage all the crying! Out of interest, which method worked for you? And does your baby still wake in the night?

Hearing sleep training success stories really makes me want to give it try, but the crying worries me a lot 😭

It’s tough, and my friends have got their partner to do it, as they are often more resilient! I did the method where you go in at 2,3,4,5 (then 5 on repeat) increments if proper crying (not the type of crying that stops immediately when you pick them up) if a lower lever crying go in every 15 mins if you think it is right (eg don’t go in after 15 mins if they sound almost asleep). When you go in shush and rub, but don’t pick up, stay 30 seconds and leave.
Some friends did the method where they stay in the room sitting next to the bed which worked for them but it wasn’t for us. I think they followed the book ‘the baby sleep solution’. Your local library may have some books on it - it’s worth having a very clear plan and 100% committing before you start.
It is really hard but there was so much crying involved in getting her to sleep without sleep training we decided one day of pain was worth it in the long run (and it totally was).

She doesn’t sleep through, she did for a bit but we went on hot summer holiday and I was worried she was dehydrated so I restarted night feeds and haven’t cut them out again. She normally wakes twice, or three times on a bad night. I think we could reduce night wake ups if we wanted to but I think she is hungry so we haven’t pushed it. I’m ok with a couple of wake ups (just wasn’t ok with every 45 mins which it was before we did sleep training).

Thanks so much for sharing that! I really appreciate it.