My DD just turned 4 months yesterday. I don't plan to sleep train now but sometime in the 5-6 month mark probably. DD is a terrible sleeper as it is. She will sometimes sleep for 3-4 hour stretches but just because she's sleeping doesn't mean I get to. I am up every 5-15 minutes replacing her paci. Once she's in a deep sleep, she will sleep without it, until she changes sleep cycles which is only about 30-45 minutes and then I am back to replacing the paci for another 30-60 minutes. That's night sleep. Naps are essentially the same thing just not as long. She also fights sleep and screams uncontrolably when I try to get her to sleep.
I need to do something but idk what. I am thinking sleep training but there are so many different methods out there and I don't know where to start.
I am also wondering if I should get rid of the paci and swaddle all at the same time as sleep training so that I don't have to keep upsetting her over and over. She also has to sleep on her side. If I try to put her on her back, there is no falling asleep. She HAS to be on her side. I cringe at the idea of CIO but if that's what it takes, so be it. However, I have a strong inclination that CIO won't work for her. When she cries now if she's not immediately tended to (like as soon as her eyes pop open) she will scream until she can't breathe, turns colors, gets sick, actually sobbing with huge tears.
I just don't know what to do.
Re: Want to sleep train but don't know how.
Our pediatrician recommended Ferber to us (but the old school version, not the updated). I am going to read that, as well as either No Cry Sleep Solution or Sleep Lady.
My son really really wants to be asleep at bedtime, he just needs some help learning to soothe himself. Thats how I've decided that he's not quite ready. We are taking some baby steps to help him get there and I think that right now I am willing to do a more drawn out process to avoid as much crying. Yes, I am a wimp. But I am willing to re-evaluate.