I am happy to report that sleep training has been going really well!

I think a mistake I have been making is trying to put him down as soon as he showed any sign of being tired. As soon as he would yawn or stare off into space for even a second, I would scoop him up and try to rock him to sleep. This would be about an hour after his last nap. Now, I wait at least an hour and a half to look for tired signs. He hasn’t been any more fussy and has been going down much quicker.

I also started using white noise as many people suggested. This also helps him go to sleep faster. After only a few days of using it, he’s already associating it with sleep. As soon as I turn it on, he relaxes; almost like he’s expecting sleep to overcome him. The white noise along with rocking in the rocking chair has been the proven method to get him to sleep at every nap and bed time. I also got him a “lovie” (pictured) to help him associate with sleep even more. I let him hold it while I rock him to sleep; the goal being him going to sleep without needing me or Andy.

The biggest achievement so far: he slept for an hour… in his crib!! My secret? Sneaky swaddling. As soon as he’s fast asleep, I put him down with a blanket already underneath him. Then I wrap it up like a swaddle and he’s set! He really loves it. A few times he’s woken up while I was swaddling him and he just yawned and went right back to sleep. That never happens anywhere else.

Also noted in the picture, it’s clear that Caleb has found a use for his hands. I think I can confidently say he will be a finger-sucker. He does this all the time to soothe himself. When I put him down and he starts crying, he immediately curls up into a little ball and sucks on his fingers. It’s kind of cute, actually. And it works like a charm. Give him a few minutes alone with his fingers and he’s ready to play.