Discovery Home & Health

I have just last night started trying the pick up put down method as my 3 1/2 month old daughter has suddenly become very clingy since she has started teething and wouldn't sleep in her cot at all. Last night when I tried it, it worked to begin with - she fell asleep almost immediately but as she kept waking throughout the night it got harder and harder to put her down. I will persevere!!! Does anybody know if you should also use the pick up put down method throughout the day? I've been trying today for over 2 hours and all she is doing is getting herself more and more upset.

I have just been through exactly the same problem with my four and a half month old son. The pu/pd method worked initially but then began to fail dramatically. He became so distressed, the more I picked him up the more he screamed and I despaired of him ever learning to fall asleep without my constant reassurance. I realised the problem was that he wanted to go to sleep, but I kept picking him up which prevented him from sleeping and that's why he screamed! So I modified the technique. I'd put him in the crib, he'd start screaming - instead of picking him up I would bend down to him and kiss him, whisper to him, stroke his head, basically lots of comforting until he calmed down. As soon as he calmed, I would stop, and as soon as he got distressed I would lean in and kiss him etc again. I also found rolling him on his side and rubbing or slowly patting his back helped. Gradually I found I could give him less and less reassurance, just stroking his head, or sometimes just sitting by the crib where he could see me would be enough. Then I found I could leave the room once he'd calmed. But when he became distressed I always returned to him and comforted him again, withdrawing as soon as he was quiet. This has been really successful. Now, I put him in his crib when he is tired and he happily takes himself off to sleep without my help. Miracle! Yes, I did do this night and day (mostly) and it was horrible at first, I think he got worse before he got better. But it really was worth it.

Yes unfortunately you will have to be consistent once you started a routine. But Fiona makes a good point. Sometimes the pick up and put down is a bit much for a baby and they just need to see you for a little while when they are in their cot.