BB Community

Get the answers and guidance you need, and connect with other parents sharing a similar experience all around the world.

Welcome To The Members Area! Forums Baby Sleep Help Baby cries as soon as I put him down Reply To: Baby cries as soon as I put him down

  • Emma H

    Administrator
    March 19, 2024 at 11:52 am

    Hi Taylor!

    It’s so good that you have been able to work through the course and start the strategies already.

    But even more importantly, successfully help your little one fall asleep in the crib for his first nap today! I am so excited for you!

    Hopefully, you got to enjoy a tea or coffee, some breakfast, or a shower during this nap!

    It’s not surprising to hear that your little one starts crying as soon as you lay him down in the bassinet for later naps. You will find that you might have more success with the first nap of the day, and each consecutive nap requires a little more effort to settle them down. Babies tend to find it easier to fall asleep for their first nap.

    It can also be helpful to remember your little one is learning a new way to fall asleep, so he will need time to get familiar with it.

    If you’re happy to continue using the settling pyramid, responding to his needs and picking him up to settle him back down if needed. Once he calms down in your arms, if you have the energy and time, lay him back down in the crib and descend the pyramid. For example, lay him down and immediately start patting and shushing him. As he calms down more, stop patting him and continue shushing. Then move to shushing out of view, and if he stays calm, stop shushing and watch him.

    Regarding your question, why doesn’t he cry when you lay him down in the crib with the lights when you need hands-free time? One possible reason for this is timing. He might not be tired at this point. If he isn’t tired, he may be happy lying on his back looking around the room and, therefore, doesn’t need to communicate to you through crying that he wants something. But when you place him in the crib for sleep, he is tired and lets you know that by crying. Does that make sense?

    I hope that helps!

    Emma