Getting my 15 month old to self soothe and sleep on her own

Following for advice on this because I’m also struggling 😬

We’ve tried the whole, leave her for a few minutes if she’s unsettled lay her back down, walk out etc but that doesn’t work for her. As soon as she’s unsettled or awake she’s stood up waiting for us to go back in 😓 don’t get me wrong I love the before bed/sleepy cuddles but I don’t want to still be rocking her to sleep when she’s like 2+ 😅

15 months is so small. To think they have to know how to self soothe this young is shooting yourself in the foot. Some do, some don’t naturally. Rocking or holding to sleep is so common and normal at this age. Eventually they will in their own time. Probably not a helpful comment but sometimes it’s reassuring to know it’s normal, so don’t force it and make yourself stress because they’re not following other expectations

@Nicola this is a really helpful reassuring comment when all I read is babies sleeping through. Makes me wonder what I'm doing wrong as I go in and offer a feed and comfort etc. I know it won't always be this way but thank you for reaffirming this ♥️

@Michaela second this! I always question myself that I’m doing something wrong because she’s unable to self soothe and get herself to sleep especially like yourself when I see people saying how their little one has slept through since such and such age or they’ve been able to get themselves off to sleep etc etc. it’s also to reassuring to know I’m not in the boat alone and that it is normal for her to want my comfort to sleep. I mean I’m not bothered that she needs that it’s just hard when HV’s are also saying ‘your making a rod for your own back’ ‘she should be self soothing etc’ xx

@Michaela idk if I’ve also tagged the original poster, I hope I have?! Honestly, it’s a common expectation for some reason but it’s so unrealistic. Go in thinking ok my baby is guna need me for a good few years, because they probably will☺️ and that’s so NORMAL. My 15 month old JUST started sleeping better so not waking up so much during the night, but every night and every nap he needs to be held to sleep. I don’t expect this to change until he’s like 3. So for now I love it - if he’s calm and willing that is 😅 if I’m fighting him i plop him on the bed like fine then try again in half hour otherwise we both get frustrated lol

Mine sucks her thumb and fiddles with her hair

My little boy wanted me to walk round rocking him in my arms until he was 13 months I couldn’t do it any more so I made it to be a whole routine. Night light, noise machine, read books and then I just put him down and sit with him until he drifts off! Some days are better than others and first few times trying was really hard it took him a while to get use to not being held and rocked but I physically couldn’t do it anymore! X