8 Steps to Get That Baby to Sleep!

I have a confession to make...I'm a sucker. I fully admit, when it comes to Nolan's adorable cries I cave faster then my husband tempted with BBQ ribs (ask him, he'll agree). It's so hard to hear your child "cry it out" and do NOTHING about it. When it comes to bedtime Nolan wants nothing more than his mommy to nurse him to sleep.

This works fine when I'm exhausted and want him to be out in under 10 minutes. But, anyone else putting him to bed can have disastrous ramifications.

Friday the hubby and I had an amazing night out in the city, sans kids. I had gotten him tickets to see one of our favorite shows, The League, live in NYC. It's weird because I have absolutely no interest in fantasy sports, but the ridiculous behavior that these men (and one woman) exhibit, all in the name of their "fake" team, often has me rolling on the floor.

While we were gone my mom was on kid duty for the night. I was thankful that both boys were home to help her with Nolan, but by the end I think they had both put in requests to be adopted.

He cried and he yelled, he yelled and then he cried. Nearly all night long. My poor older boys were on a mission to get this kid to sleep, just so they could finally close their eyes. I was told around 2am Nolan finally passed out from sheer exhaustion.

I've created a monster.

Getting Nolan to sleep in his crib has been a misadventure from the start. Even though I LOVE co-sleeping, after waking up morning after morning with a stiff neck I realized maybe its time this giant baby slept in his own bed. So I moved his crib into our room to help ease the process.

Up until this point, I've been pretty regimented with his sleeping routine. OK that's a bold faced lie. BUT after the dibocle of Friday night I've promised to make a consistent effort to get Nolan into his own bed.

Not that I am by ANY means an expert (have you read about my psychotic break?), but here are some actual useful tips that got Nolan from this...

To this....

#1 Nurse before bedtime, but don't let him fall sleep. If that means blowing in his face or tickling his toes, so be it!

#2 Make sure the door is locked so NO ONE can disturb him as he falls off to dreamland. (I'm talking to YOU Brian, Bryson, and Tyler)

#3 Get something that plays calming music. This seahorse even works on Daddys.

#4 Sit by his side while he cries. This way I can comfort him and then lay him down gently when he's ready to pass out

#5 Have a pacifier or cup/bottle of water on hand to pop in his mouth to soothe him when he begins to whimper in protest

#6 Have my phone handy with Angry Birds or Words With Friends loaded. I may be here awhile, why not be entertained.

#7 Pray that when I tiptoe away his bionic hearing doesn't alert him to jump up and make me start the process all over again.

#8 When its 2am and he wakes up to eat, throw this list out the door and snuggle with that cutie patootie.

Yea, yea, yea I'm a work in progress.

What are your sleep training tips?

Ready to doze off in Boyland,