Okay, gotcha. I was curious as to how she responded to your check- ins. I'm going to start doing this soon for putting Ben to sleep at night. At night we do bath (every other night), lotion, jammies then bedtime bottle. Most times he falls asleep by the end of his bottle. When we lay him in his crib, sometimes he wakes and fusses for a bit, but falls back asleep fairly quickly. Other times he wakes upon transfer and cries hard until picked up and held until he falls asleep again. If I notice that he is fighting me when I hold him, I just put him back in the crib bc he obviously doesn't want me necessarily. He is just fighting sleep.
On another note, we are back to one nightly feeding and haven't night weaned yet so Im not sure how to incorporate this here. There are occasions where he wakes and starts to cry only a few hours after going down. At that point I don't allow him to eat and try to soothe without picking up. Typically he falls back to sleep after a couple minutes. With his one nightly feeding, he sucks down all 6 oz and goes right back to sleep. I just can't tell whether he really has to have this feeding or if it's just habit. Therefore not sure if I should try to wean yet... He gets appx 30 oz of formula without including his middle of he night bottle, plus a little solids for breakfast and lunch.
I would try to put a little more space in between feeding and putting him in his crib. When we started sleep training I would nurse and then we would read her a story and THEN put her down. Now I nurse her before I even start her bath. He could still be associating food with sleep if you are feeding him right before he goes down. I think you should tackle night weaning after sleep training. If E wakes up at night (which has only happened 3-4 times since we sleep trained) I can still nurse her to sleep in the middle of the night without backtracking. It is still for comfort, not food, but it's okay to go to them and pick them up in the middle of the night if they are up for 15-20 min and clearly aren't able to get back to sleep.
@mucabush Awesome!!! Oh how I hope Ben does that as well! Lol. I recently read about reducing the ounces as well. I'll probably have to give that a try. Seems like a mild way to wean. Thanks lady!
@thetamedshrew Okay, thanks. That's what I was thinking too in regards to falling asleep eating. Once we get a good handle on his daycare transition Im going to give this a shot.
@coloeann31 that's one thing I've never really understood - how you're supposed to go in every so often to "soothe without picking up". Am I the only one who doesn't understand how this works? Of course I want him to know I am there and haven't abandoned him but he cries harder if he knows I'm there and not picking him up. Therefore, this method does zero soothing for any of us.
When I worked with him on his daytime naps I basically did a modified Ferber method but did touch him and kiss him- but made it very brief and business-like.
This was me too before we did CIO, I had never calmed him down without picking him up and honestly he didn't do that well with the gradual method, he would just get more worked up when I went in and didn't pick him up. In the end it worked best if I let the time between check ins be fairly long, the 5 minutes just made things worse so I wouldn't go in for 15-20 instead. He did sleep through the night basically right away which was nice and honestly not even what I was looking for when we started, I just wanted him to get more than 45 minutes in a row of sleep. Anyway now when I lay him down I put him on his side and pat/rub his back for a little bit before I leave the room so now if he fusses at all after that or in the middle of the night he'll calm down with some gentle back rubbing or patting.
@bunnylove416 No, I appreciate you sharing your experience. It helps me see that there are a variety of methods that might work and every baby is different, but consistency is key. Thanks for sharing! Hopefully we have as good of a result as well!
Thank you everyone for the tips on CIO! I'll have to try again in a few days because Grayson is getting another cold
But on a different note, my SO and I had talked about me picking up a part time job so we would have a little extra money. Shit just got real because I have an interview on Monday at 1!!!
@FunkyPhoenix I completely agree with whoever suggested decreasing the ounces slowly in order to night wean. Or, you could do what @TheTamedShrew did and just see if he needs it! N was similar - she had been waking up around 2:30 to play (never seemed hungry) and 4 to nurse right before we did sleep training. That first night, she woke up around 2:30 and I let her cry and then she slept through her 4 am wake up - and then consistently did every other night as well. So I never had to night wean - she weaned herself. You could see how he does and then try weaning if necessary.
So what I've read about night weaning while sleep training is this: see what time he normally wakes up. If you are actively weaning, then wake him up BEFORE he wakes up himself. (That way if he wakes up later you know he isn't hungry AND you don't automatically give him food when he cries and he will learn to not associate waking up and crying with receiving food). Feed him, decreasing by an ounce or two each night, and then put him down immediately after eating and do the same as you do when going to bed (let him cry and check at whatever intervals work for you). I'd say if he's already taking 30 oz during the day then he's probably getting what he needs during the day. If you think he still needs/wants more you can slowly increase some of his daytime feedings the same amount you decrease the night time feeding to make up for the missed food.
And what I had also read is to do whatever you can to make sure they don't fall asleep during bedtime routine - don't let him fall asleep while eating! If they doze off a little, it can make it harder for them to fall asleep once they are in their crib. I like @TheTamedShrew's idea of moving the eating to before bath.
Of course, this is just one way of sleep training and night weaning, there are many others and you do have to see what works for your baby. But know that it WILL be HARD but that doesn't mean it isn't GOOD for LO AND you. That hour of crying was so tough but N cries a lot less overall now because she is rested and happy. And hubby and I are much happier too.
@bunnylove416 No, I appreciate you sharing your experience. It helps me see that there are a variety of methods that might work and every baby is different, but consistency is key. Thanks for sharing! Hopefully we have as good of a result as well!
Oh good! Honestly I felt so lost when we started that I just want to put out there what worked and what didn't incase it applies to anyone else. Consistency really is key, my husband is freelance so he's home some nights and not others and it's become very clear that there can't be any switching off of the diaper/lotion/bedtime bottle/lay down person, that person is Mommy or we all pay It's hard listening to the crying but honestly it was also really clear really quickly what kind of crying he was doing. If it was panic crying I went in, time be danmed, but if it was just fussing or grumpy tiny foreign dictator yelling I let him work it out. We've been figuring it out slowly but surely and he no longer makes a peep when i put him down except to sing to himself (KNOCKS ON WOOD SO HARD). I will add that the first time he went down and woke up 2 hours later upset I had a totally mommy brainfreeze and had no idea what to do, I panic texted my husband. He made fun of me real hard because obviously the answer was go in and check on him dummy! Change the kids diaper. Also, I demanded we get a video monitor (which I really didn't think we needed) because I couldn't handle letting him cry and not knowing what was happening in there
I just don't know what I would do without you guys. I've tried asking my friends with kids various questions and can never get as honest, thorough or educated an answer as when I ask here. I'm so appreciative of you all.
Last night SUCKED! I keep blaming it on teething, but his guns look the same - two bumps below the gums on the bottom. I am glad my kid can't talk because today I am using all the bad words.
Totally lied! We have a bottom tooth! All is forgiven, LO! (And sorry about the bad words.)
Thanks for the vinegar and baking soda advice! It's in there now so here's hoping it works.
So E has a new nursing position. Sitting on my lap facing me. They didn't cover that in class...
I nursed like that as a baby until I was 14 months! I was crawl up to my mom on the couch and sit on her lap facing her and pull at her shirt. As a bonus, if you have an Ergo you can totally nurse on the go really easily now...
Has anyone used Care.com? The only babysitters we have are my parents. We already use them to watch LO on the days I work. We're looking for someone in our area and care.com was recommended to me.
@PSNLS we have. We have found our nanny when we lived in Albany on their 3 years ago and a few young ladies who have done some babysitting here and there now that we have moved to the Boston area. I am really strict with my search criteria and I've had good results. You just need to have an interview or meeting with them and trust your gut, no matter how you find your leads.
I'm nervous, ladies. LO is pulling in his left ear. Have a ped. appt at 4:15 today. I had chronic ear infections as a kid and they got so bad and so resistant to antibiotics that I have severe scar tissue on my eardrums which lead to significant hearing difficulty. I really hope he doesn't have an ear infection, but if he does that we caught it early enough to treat it and knock it out. My baby
MH had the same thing happen to him! Lots of ear infections, tubes, scar tissue and now he can't hear for $hit. Poor guy but man do I get annoyed with having to repeat myself, tell him to speak lower, turn the tv down, turn the radio down. Lol. I hope your guy doesn't have anything going on. Could it be teething?
Was chatting with a friend of mine who plans on weaning and starting formula at 6 months. I thought her pedi's take on BF vs. formula was well said so I wanted to share it here.
Formula is 100% of what your baby needs where breastmilk is like 120%. There's noting wrong with giving your baby 100%.
@chicagochic82 No, he hasn't seen anyone but has been considering it lately. His problem is his pride. He doesn't want to be a 33 year old man wearing a hearing aid. However, my stepdad got one recently and it has really changed his life so it has made DH consider it. I really would like for him to at least get checked out so we know what we are dealing with.
You guise - I just sent the cutest video ever!!!
Hubby left last night for 2 big interviews. Today N's babbling has become a clear "dada". She obviously doesn't know what she's saying but I videotaped it and sent it to hubby saying she wanted to tell him good luck! And the video is so precious. I say, "Good luck Dada" and she looks at the camera and says "Dada!"
My mom is watching Grayson while I run to old navy. I am currently at panera and enjoying a meal without a screaming baby that is jealous because he isn't eating too. So peaceful
So our office got beers one Friday after work and put them in the mini fridge next to where I pump a few weeks ago. We didn't finish 4 of them, and so every Friday since then I have drank one during my 4 o'clock on Friday pumping session. Today is the last one and I have never said anything about it to anyone. I keep wondering if anyone is going to have to guts to ask someone else about where they went or call me out on it. It's a really small 5 person office so everyone is a suspect, but I'm guessing they presume it's me because I get to lock myself in with the beer for 20 minutes several times a week. Until then I will enjoy my beer and watch an episode of the league on my phone. I may even bring in more beer next week...
You guise!!! Because of the toy thread I just went out and bought the vtech sit to stand and the band stand! Thanks everyone! ( good thread @sctiger).
I showed them both to H and said we should buy them and he said she has enough toys and we have no room..
You are better off- I can't stand that vtech toy! Of course every kid loves it, but it has this feature where multiple functions and noises can be playing at the same time so it's like a walking schizophrenic piece of plastic. That and I tripped over it and broke my toe so I consider it cursed. And the phone doesn't have a cord to keep that part attached so it is constantly missing and being requested. That being said it is still one of G's favorites and he's almost 3!
A good friend of mine just discovered she was almost legally deaf and has been for a long time. She didn't realize how bad it was and relied one reading people's lips. She had surgery to replace a bone or something this past summer and she can't believe how good she can hear and what she was missing before. She's going to have the other ear done this summer.
Oh wow. That's great to hear. DH is a big lip reader as well. In fact, just to eff with him I sometimes cover my mouth when I'm speaking to him. It's pretty bad. He has no idea what I'm saying often times. I'll have to let him know about this and that there may be a surgery versus hearing aides, depending on his issue.
@ryanswifey619 there's key lime pie, blueberry tart, strawberry milkshake, raspberry sorbet, and orange creme. They're all quite tasty, but the Orange may be my favorite.
I had full intentions of making some fruit baby food this weekend. I wanted to make some peaches and plums. I didn't really think that it's not the right season and there wouldn't be any at the store. Oh well..
Speaking of which, can you just buy bags of frozen fruit and put in a blender and then allow to warm up to use a little at a time? G started solids in the summer so this fresh thing was way easier.
It was soooo great to pick up a smiling and clearly happy baby boy from daycare just now!!!! I'm so relieved. Also here's a pic of his first daycare art project.
I had full intentions of making some fruit baby food this weekend. I wanted to make some peaches and plums. I didn't really think that it's not the right season and there wouldn't be any at the store. Oh well..
I used frozen peaches and it turned out great. I did defrost and steam them before puréeing.
@majwv8 I don't know if you have an iPhone, but ever since I saw the idea on Pinterest, I always take a picture of the cute photo Xmas cards and use it as the contact photo for the people in that family. Just an idea.
My DH would be trying to convince me to take him to the ER. When we first started living together he told me we needed to go because his temp was 99.9. I told him they would laugh at him and charge us lots of money for it. He still has no concept of what is actually serious.
Re: The thread of all threads!
Thanks ladies!
But on a different note, my SO and I had talked about me picking up a part time job so we would have a little extra money. Shit just got real because I have an interview on Monday at 1!!!
I heart Friends.
Thanks for the vinegar and baking soda advice! It's in there now so here's hoping it works.
You are better off- I can't stand that vtech toy! Of course every kid loves it, but it has this feature where multiple functions and noises can be playing at the same time so it's like a walking schizophrenic piece of plastic. That and I tripped over it and broke my toe so I consider it cursed. And the phone doesn't have a cord to keep that part attached so it is constantly missing and being requested.
That being said it is still one of G's favorites and he's almost 3!
Oh wow. That's great to hear. DH is a big lip reader as well. In fact, just to eff with him I sometimes cover my mouth when I'm speaking to him. It's pretty bad. He has no idea what I'm saying often times. I'll have to let him know about this and that there may be a surgery versus hearing aides, depending on his issue.
@steamboat1679 Thanks lady. You know how hard it's been for me seeing him upset!
I don't know if you have an iPhone, but ever since I saw the idea on Pinterest, I always take a picture of the cute photo Xmas cards and use it as the contact photo for the people in that family. Just an idea.
And, yes, I still have this year's up too.