Something new

We're trying something new with Libby's naps. For the last week or two, she has gotten fussy when it's time for a nap, then she'll calm down when I hold her and give her a pacifier, and very quickly go to sleep in my arms. The problem is that she has become aware enough of her environment that as soon as I put her down in the crib or anywhere else, she is awake, and sometimes refuses to go back to sleep.

So we're trying to teach her to fall asleep on her own. We're using a technique called the "Ferber method". When she's ready for a nap, we do our naptime routine, put her down in the crib, say goodbye, and leave the room. We let her stay for three minutes, even if she cries. Then we calm her down for a couple of minutes, and leave her again for five minutes. Then we repeat, leaving her for ten minutes. Yesterday for her first nap, she fell asleep before the 10 minute section was up. For her second nap, I think she fell asleep before the 5 minute section was up. At bedtime, she didn't even cry for three minutes. Just now, I put her down, and went to check on her after 3 minutes. We're in the 5 minute waiting period now, and she's not crying. I think it's working!

I'm trying to encourage her to be a little more regular with her naps. I feel like she's still napping just a half hour here and there like a newborn, and it seems like it would be better for her if she consolidated those naps. We'll see. If it doesn't work out this week, I'll wait another couple weeks.

Well, it's been five minutes and no crying. I think she's asleep! Now I have to quietly let the cat out, because she wouldn't leave the room with me.