EBF and napping

I’ve found that it helps so much to have a set schedule for the day (including feedings, naps, and bedtime). It also helps tons to have a routine for bedtime with a similar mini-routine (i.e. diaper change then short lullaby). I also have one specific place for where my baby sleeps (first it was a bassinet, then moved to pack ‘n’ play / crib in a different room from ours).

The last step is the most difficult for both baby and parents, which is sleep training. Lay your baby down with your decided schedule, routine, and setting each day consistently. Let him/her cry themselves to sleep (if they don’t go to sleep quietly). Also avoid rocking them to sleep so they can self-soothe. For the first few nights, baby will likely cry a lot because they expect you to pick them up and console them, but they need to learn that the routines signify it’s time to sleep and not play or eat.

Sorry for my long message!! I just want to add one more thing, especially if the full-on sleep training is tough for you. Some parents have their baby cry and cry until they truly do fall asleep. With our baby, she tends to pee soon after we lay her down, especially if she’s dry when we check her diaper before bed. I give her 5-15 minutes to fall asleep. If she’s still crying by that point, I pick her up and check her diaper which is normally soiled. Then she usually falls asleep right away after that.

If she wakes up in the middle of the night (I started this at 7 months), I do the same in waiting for 5-10 minutes (depending on the severity of her cries). All in all, the schedule and routines are the most important, including the routine of what you do when they cry as they’re falling asleep. Stay consistent. You got this!! You’re an amazing mama!

You could try a different technique to help them fall asleep. I give my little girl a binky, turn on white noise and bounce on an exercise ball. It's getting harder to bounce the bigger she gets so I'm slowly replacing that sleep association with me just holding her and gently rocking. Have you tried other techniques?

I just started sleep training and cut the association cold turkey. I started to separate eating with an activity, book, lullaby etc. so my baby is still awake when I lay down for a nap or bedtime.