Ferber = baby is not the only one crying to sleep (long...)

Sofka

so, at 10.5mo of age, we finally Ferberized DS. We had been putting off and off but I felt like I was 100% committed and the exhaustion was about to do me in.

Friday was night 1. It was horrible. My plan was to go get my eyebrows done (to be out of the house) so I walked there, but they were closed, so I was back and was present for most of the crying. I wrote down the times for DH and we did it very slowly, I made up my own, it was 2,2,2,3,3,4,5,7,7,7,etc - I think it got to 4 or 5 and at 8:30 he was asleep. Not too bad...But then he woke up at 10pm and DH had to do it all over again. Then he was up again around 12-1am and then every 90mins after that. It was so traumatic! I don't understand why he just didn't get it!! I am pretty sure DD got it. So around 4:30am I finally got him and nursed him while we co-slept.

Sat, night 2. I know 2nd night is usually the worst, it wasn't for DD but it was for DS. We are 10000% done having babies but never having to face Ferberizing again is yet another reason not to have another baby! He slept for longer - I think the last time was around 10-10:30 but he woke up before 4am and did not fall back asleep until well past 5am. DH kept going in and it just wasn't working. He just kept crying that horrible someone-is-killing-me scream. The worst part was that he'd fall asleep for 2-3min and then wake up again, screaming even louder. I knew if I went and got him, I'd undo the whole thing so I just laid there crying. It was a horrible feeling. So then I said, if he just falls asleep for 10mins, when he wakes up after that, I'll get him. So that's what I did, I guess around 5:30-6am. I think he really was hungry. I nursed him on one side. My other side was pure rock when I finally got up for the day.

This is night 3, so far it hasn't been too horrible (knock on wood) but he's already woken up 4-5times and it's only been less than 2hrs. Each time he cried for less than 3-4mins so DH has not gone in. If he wakes up at 4am again, I'm getting him. I know Ferber says that whatever time the baby wakes up, even if it's super early, just make it wake-up time, turn on lights, etc, make it seem like morning. I'm not doing that at 4am!

Wish us luck. This is a lot worse than I thought it'd be and I had really low expectations.

sorry so long...just had to vent to someone who'd understand 

tracy042206

Oh no, CIO can be rough.  We were luckier than that with Maggie but it is always hard to listen to them cry.  Here's to a better night 3!

Hey Jellisy

My fingers are crossed for you.  I think every child is different, so customization is important.  Do what works for you and DS.  I doubt Ferber would mind.    Best of luck. 

Sofka

Last night was a bit better, he woke up often but usually put himself to sleep w/n a few minutes; DH had to go in once. At 3am I thought he wouldn't go back to sleep but he did. At 5:15 he didn't and I got him and nursed him in bed.

Let's see how tonight goes!

(of course, every time he woke up, I woke up, so I'm still a walking zombie)