Ferber and illness

Magenta728

A couple months ago, we did Ferber with amazing results. DD has been STTN for months. Thursday, she got sick for the first time. Ugh. Not fun. I know Ferber says that when the child is sick, you can do whatever you need to comfort the child, so don't worry about sleep training.

I brought DD into bed with me, and DH went into the guest room. We did this for 3 nights. Her fever is gone, and she is much much better. She still has a lot of nasal congestion though. Last night, she slept in her crib, waking every 3 hours. I got up each time, and nursed her, and she fell immdediately back to sleep.

Can I expect that she'll just go back to STTN, or will I have to do a mini sleep training again? And if I have to sleep train again, when is it ok? When her congestion is totally clear? Or before then? Being that this was her first time being sick, I don't know what to expect or how long she'll be like this for.  

CarlaAndJames

you'll probably have to retrain unfortunately, especially since you fed her. There's no rule on when it's ok or not ok, just do it when you feel like she is feeling well enough that she seems to be waking out of habit more than genuine need. If she's eating well during the day, there's no need to feed at night if you weren't doing it before. Even when DD is sick, if she eats during the day I'll comfort her and treat fever symptoms and stuff at night, but not nurse her.

cvl105

I've found that I have to sleep train all over again.

To be honest, I wouldn't feed her in the middle of the night if she gets sick again. She doesn't need to eat. I can understand picking her up and consoling her....but feeding her is restarting the habit of wanting to eat in the middle of the night.

Magenta728

CarlaAndJames:

you'll probably have to retrain unfortunately, especially since you fed her. There's no rule on when it's ok or not ok, just do it when you feel like she is feeling well enough that she seems to be waking out of habit more than genuine need. If she's eating well during the day, there's no need to feed at night if you weren't doing it before. Even when DD is sick, if she eats during the day I'll comfort her and treat fever symptoms and stuff at night, but not nurse her.

This is what I was worried about. I guess I made her used to eating at night. Nursing is so comforting to her, so I don't regret it. Hopefully, the sleep training will be quicker this time.

AshleyPT

I waited to sleep train again until she had 2 normal days. So, normal nap times, normal meals, and no symptoms bothering her. She went back to STTN pretty quickly.

Magenta728

cvl105:

I've found that I have to sleep train all over again.

To be honest, I wouldn't feed her in the middle of the night if she gets sick again. She doesn't need to eat. I can understand picking her up and consoling her....but feeding her is restarting the habit of wanting to eat in the middle of the night.

You're so right, but how do I comfort her? Plus, it's the only way to get her back to sleep. I am glad I did it, bc I felt so badly for her, but I need a better plan for next time. This sucks! I wish I could flip a switch and nurse and have no milk come out (just for those times).

cvl105

Magenta728:

cvl105:

I've found that I have to sleep train all over again.

To be honest, I wouldn't feed her in the middle of the night if she gets sick again. She doesn't need to eat. I can understand picking her up and consoling her....but feeding her is restarting the habit of wanting to eat in the middle of the night.

You're so right, but how do I comfort her? Plus, it's the only way to get her back to sleep. I am glad I did it, bc I felt so badly for her, but I need a better plan for next time. This sucks! I wish I could flip a switch and nurse and have no milk come out (just for those times).

I will pick her up and hold her. Give her the pacifier...anything but feed! I did feed once when nothing else would comfort her...but usually just picking her up and holding her will get her to calm down for me.

JSanFran

Magenta728:

cvl105:

I've found that I have to sleep train all over again.

To be honest, I wouldn't feed her in the middle of the night if she gets sick again. She doesn't need to eat. I can understand picking her up and consoling her....but feeding her is restarting the habit of wanting to eat in the middle of the night.

You're so right, but how do I comfort her? Plus, it's the only way to get her back to sleep. I am glad I did it, bc I felt so badly for her, but I need a better plan for next time. This sucks! I wish I could flip a switch and nurse and have no milk come out (just for those times).

Hahaha I hear you!!!!!!