Sleep training?

flymansWife

I'm not sure I'm ready to bite the bullet and try anything yet. And obviously I need to be committed before trying something or it'll never work but I'm overwhelmed a bit by all the books/resources. What method did you use? What books did you find most useful?

Your Baby Can Sleep was recommended by my coworker. Anyone have a copy of this DVD? Want to sell it to me?

ec3under4

We really love and have success with the Baby Whisperer. It is a non-CIO method but at the same time it teaches them how to fall asleep on their own. But, I completely agree with you, unless you are 100% ready then it's really not worth starting. 

thethomps

I recommend Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child.  I was really surprised that earlier to bed = sleeping later, but it totally worked for DD.  There were a few (but not many) tears, mostly if she was over-tired.  It's worked really well for us.

Abrooks

I read several and my favorite by far was Solve Your Child's Sleep Problems by Dr. Ferber.  It explained sleep, what was needed, how infants are different than adults, sleep patterns and sleep issues.  It broke down the types of issues infants and kids have and gave specific plans for how to deal with them.  This was the 3rd or 4th book I read and was the easiest and best imo.  I highly recommend it.  

https://www.amazon.com/Solve-Your-Childs-Sleep-Problems/dp/0743201639/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1321978858&sr=8-1 

Temp13436125005166

I really enjoyed reading the no cry sleep solution. 
https://www.amazon.com/No-Cry-Sleep-Solution-Gentle-Through/dp/0071381392
It's not an immediate fix but it gives you ideas and strategies to try to gradually helps teach baby how to soothe themselve.  It also helped me feel a lot better about not being ready to sleep train.  Reading the book, the authors words and the stories from other moms made me feel less alone about it and reassured me that it was ok to listen to my instincts.

ali-1411

thethomps:

I recommend Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child.  I was really surprised that earlier to bed = sleeping later, but it totally worked for DD.  There were a few (but not many) tears, mostly if she was over-tired.  It's worked really well for us.

This.  It also uses the extinction CIO method, where you just let them cry as long as it takes.  Rather than the Ferber method when you go in and comfort them at intervals.  Ferber method did not work for Layna, the interval checks would just make it worse.  

babymillie

The Sleepeasy Solution completely changed our lives.  It is basically Ferber, where you let them CIO for 5 minutes, then 10, then 15.  I have just about every book out there, but this one was by FAR the easiest to follow for us.  I read it in one afternoon and had a plan to implement by that night.

My child was the worst sleeper ever known in the history of bad sleepers anywhere in the whole wide world.  Ever.  Now he sleeps 11-12 hours a night w/out waking.  Took 5 nights.  Amazing.

https://www.amazon.com/Sleepeasy-Solution-Exhausted-Parents-Getting/dp/0757305601/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1321979631&sr=8-1 

MammaOwl11

DD is still young so we are also just beginning to dip our toes into sleep training, but after her three wonderful 1.5-3 hour naps reverted back into 30 min naps every two hours (ick...) I started reading Elizabeth Pantley's No-Cry Sleep Solution.  She also goes through the science of infant sleep cycles and developing sleep maturity, and she offers many different solutions so that you can figure out what works best for your child.  So far, I really like her approach, and her down-to-earth personality makes it an easy read.  

babymillie

Also, I took detailed notes on it that I'm happy to email to you if you PM me your email address. It's so overwhelming at first, good luck!

heybabe

Abrooks:

I read several and my favorite by far was Solve Your Child's Sleep Problems by Dr. Ferber.  It explained sleep, what was needed, how infants are different than adults, sleep patterns and sleep issues.  It broke down the types of issues infants and kids have and gave specific plans for how to deal with them.  This was the 3rd or 4th book I read and was the easiest and best imo.  I highly recommend it.  

https://www.amazon.com/Solve-Your-Childs-Sleep-Problems/dp/0743201639/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1321978858&sr=8-1 

This. My love for Dr. Ferber is boundless. Used it with both my boys and have great sleepers.

intheatx

ali-1411:

thethomps:

I recommend Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child.  I was really surprised that earlier to bed = sleeping later, but it totally worked for DD.  There were a few (but not many) tears, mostly if she was over-tired.  It's worked really well for us.

This.  It also uses the extinction CIO method, where you just let them cry as long as it takes.  Rather than the Ferber method when you go in and comfort them at intervals.  Ferber method did not work for Layna, the interval checks would just make it worse.  

We had the same problem with Ferber. Going with straight-up extinction CIO was rough for 2-3 nights (in that she cried for a while before falling asleep) but in the 2 months since, she has become a pro at falling asleep on her own.

Also - for us, "crying" during extinction CIO was more DD yelling at us. Sort of her version of "Dude, WTH! You just *left* me in here! Come play with me! Now, dang it!" No tears, just noisy. For us, Ferber brought on actual tears and real (distressing) cries, making it harder for her to settle down after each check. I know Ferber works great for lots of people, but definitely don't be afraid to try a plan B if, after your initial choice your mommy instincts tell you something's not quite right. 

Persa

intheatx:

ali-1411:

thethomps:

I recommend Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child.  I was really surprised that earlier to bed = sleeping later, but it totally worked for DD.  There were a few (but not many) tears, mostly if she was over-tired.  It's worked really well for us.

This.  It also uses the extinction CIO method, where you just let them cry as long as it takes.  Rather than the Ferber method when you go in and comfort them at intervals.  Ferber method did not work for Layna, the interval checks would just make it worse.  

We had the same problem with Ferber. Going with straight-up extinction CIO was rough for 2-3 nights (in that she cried for a while before falling asleep) but in the 2 months since, she has become a pro at falling asleep on her own.

Also - for us, "crying" during extinction CIO was more DD yelling at us. Sort of her version of "Dude, WTH! You just *left* me in here! Come play with me! Now, dang it!" No tears, just noisy. For us, Ferber brought on actual tears and real (distressing) cries, making it harder for her to settle down after each check. I know Ferber works great for lots of people, but definitely don't be afraid to try a plan B if, after your initial choice your mommy instincts tell you something's not quite right. 

We had to do this as well. The first time I did "CIO" I didn't follow the method exactly and I went in every 6 minutes because that's as much as *I* could take...which made her more mad and made it take even longer for her to sleep. Once I did extinction, it took less than 20 minutes the first night and she was STTN in 3 days. Going in to "check" on her just pissed her off.