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Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!bonnie!masscomp!carlton
From: carlton@masscomp.UUCP (Carlton Hommel)
Newsgroups: net.kids
Subject: Re: Putting small children to sleep
Message-ID: <209@masscomp.UUCP>
Date: Sun, 20-Jan-85 12:14:34 EST
Article-I.D.: masscomp.209
Posted: Sun Jan 20 12:14:34 1985
Date-Received: Tue, 22-Jan-85 05:16:50 EST
References: <109@spp3.UUCP>
Reply-To: carlton@masscomp.UUCP (Carlton Hommel)
Distribution: net
Organization: Masscomp - Westford, MA
Lines: 38
Summary: Let sleeping babys lie in your arms

In article <109@spp3.UUCP> Robbin Brahms writes:
>We have an 8 1/2 month old.  Until about two weeks ago we were holding his
>bottle and rocking him to sleep in our arms.  We were told that it is a very
>bad habit to get you child into and that he should be going to sleep in his
>crib by himself.
Who told you that?  A maiden aunt?  Someone who hates children?  Granted,
you're a little to big to get into the crib, but your child will always want
to snuggle with you before he goes to bed.  As they get older, you will be
reading stories, and shooing away the monster under the bed.

>We were then given the advise (sic) of putting him in his crib
>with the bottle propped to wean him from having to hold him.  
This must have come from you dentist.  No one else would wish this on
your child's gums and teeth.  You don't wean your child from your arms, you
do it from the _bottle_.  The bottle should never become an object of 
affection or security.  (That's what teddy bears are for :-)

>The problem has been that he seems to cry more and does not go to sleep as
>easily as he use to when we held him.
Obviously, its not working too well, then.  Your child is crying because
he needs you.  Who else does he have?

>Our intention is eventually to get him to go to sleep by himself but it 
>there any easy transition, or at what age does it seem best to start?
Um, well, never.  She may start falling asleep by herself (without being
held) around 12 months.  You should still spend some time reading stories,
tucking them in, saying prayers, etc.  (This can take from 4 minutes to 40,
depending on the child...)

Parents and children need to spend time together to further their mutual
development, especially when both parents work.  Sleepy-bye time is when
he gets a quiet, secure feeling from mommie or daddy.

	Alana Hommel
	   (for)
		Carl Hommel
Wife:  We go sleepy-bye now?
Husband: In a second; I'm reading a great flame in net.wombat.