I need some help. DD not STTN (7 months) -long

klmbride05

DD stopped STTN when she was around 4 months old. So lately she's been waking up around 1 and 3am. I feed her for like 5 mins and she's back down. I decided I am ready to stop b/fing but can't do it if she's not STTN. So I decided this week to try and cut out the feedings in the middle of the night.

The first night was a dream. She woke up twice and both times I gave her her paci, rocked her to sleep and she was down.

The next night was straight from hell. She woke up around 250am and I did the same thing as the night before. She would go down and immediately wake up. I did that a couple more times and it didn't work. Then I tried rubbing her back in her crib. That worked and the second I walked away she was crying. I let her CIO for 5 mins or so once or twice (which got out of hand. She was sobbing) So then I rocked her again. She finally went down, I went to bed, but then she woke up 15 mins later. I ended up being awake for like an hour and a half by then it was pretty much time for me to be up to get up for work so then I fed her (which I normally feed her at 5:30am but this time did it at like 4:30).

The night after that she slept til 4 and I got her down once with the paci and rocking her and she woke up 10 mins later so I just fed her because I had to get ready for work. (plus i was proud that she slept til 4)

Last night was another night straight from hello. Only this time she woke up at 1250. Up until 230. Trying to let her CIO but really...she just gets so worked up. Anyway...got her down an hour and a half later. She woke up 15 mins later and I had had enough and I fed her.

What the heck am I doing wrong?! Is DD just not ready for this? Should I stop and try again later? How long do you let your LO CIO before you finally give in and just feed?

TIA.

madhatter2003

sometimes they just aren't ready.  My DD didn't sleep through the night until she was close to 9 months old. We had one night feeding around 3-4 am for the entire time until then.

DS is the same way...still up 1 time, sometimes 2 a night.

 

DG1

Read the trifecta of sleep books - Ferber's, Weissbluth's, and Pantley's. 

Even if you don't specifically choose one of their methods, it'll give you some insight into why she's doing what she's doing and give you ideas about what you can do about it.  (Or, at least, what you can do not to make it worse.)

laur1120

Well CIO isn't going to work if you keep then picking her up.  It's just teaching her to cry until you pick her up.  I'd try leaving her pacis in the crib for her to insert herself.  I'd also try a lovey or comfort item. 

I didn't have to wean night feedings so I'm not sure about that. 

ETA: and yes try reading Ferber or HSHHC if you haven't already.  GL!

valygirl

Ferber method worked great for us at 6 months with DS. I know some people are against CIO, but honestly it took 2 nights (really following the plan). He's a happy baby, sleeps great now, and we're all more sane in this house. I know sleepless nights are hard, hang in there. Good luck.

gobigblue

i'm not against CIO, but i limit the time to 5-10 mins max.  any longer than that just tugs at my heartstrings too bad.  i would focus on her daytime routine.  what are her naps like?  is she eating enough?  could she be teething?  the biggest thing for me is NOT to pick DD up in the night if you can help it.  she'll then start relying on the feeding, rocking, etc.  try to go back to rubbing her belly and head, giving her her paci and stay there until she's asleep.  tip toe out.  if she wakes, go back and do it again, but don't pick her up.  i'm sure this is a phase.  good luck!!! 

Mjmksb04

You have gotten lots of good advice already. I would start trying to soothe her without picking her up, shushing, patting, offering the paci. If she is only nursing for a few seconds, she isn't hungry and I would start wanting to cut out the rocking at her age. Ditto reading the books.

janinekrause

I saw you got lots of good advice. my dd was persistent. When I decided i was sick of waking up to give her the paci, i let her CIO in the middle of the night at 6 months. it lasted 1 hour 45 mins the first night. by night 3, it was 2 mins and then over.

she is back to one wakeup every 3 nights for a paci again- we had a 6 week cough and virus before that that through everything off. she can find her paci 90% of the time, so I dont care to sleep train again. 

ncbelle

Nothing is wrong with your baby if she doesn't STTN at 7 months - so there's nothing you are doing "wrong."  My kiddo's sleep has been much more restless lately - I think part of it is teething and a bigger part of it is that he's learning so many new skills.  I just nurse him when he wakes and he goes back to sleep.  My philosophy is that if he wakes and can't get back to sleep, he needs something - even if it is just a brief cuddle with mama.