Can't even believe it!

BoilerUp1

GOOD morning ladies!

I know most of you are familiar with my struggles related to DS's sleep. If not, the long and short of it is that it takes about 2 hours to get him down for good at night.  Usually he takes about 20 minutes to fall asleep, I rock him for 20 minutes to make sure he is out, lie him down and he is back up about 2-3 times within the next hour or so before he goes down for good (and when I say for good I mean 2-3 hours).  

WELL last night, I tried drowsy but awake again.  In the past it has NOT gone well for us.  Usually, he immediately gets wide-eyed plays by himself for a bit and then throws a fit.  Last night, I put him down, he started playing by himself (for 45 minutes) and then just WENT.TO.SLEEP. WHAT?  He fussed a few times but never cried.  I couldn't believe it.  I stared at the video monitor and cried because I was in such shock.  Now, this could be a complete fluke and not happen again for A LONG TIME but still, SO exciting.  It is a bit bittersweet though.  Sweet because maybe (just maybe) bedtime is getting easier.  Bitter because he's becoming a big boy and not relying on mommy so much.

 

Moral of the story:  Don't give up.  Even though it usually ended in a long night of hysterics I tried drowsy but awake once every week or 2 just to see where it would get us.  It finally paid off! (At least for one night!) 

 

ETA: AND, I should mention that he did 2 four hour stretches followed by 2 more hours.   

Lizg1799

I was actually going to ask you how it was going.  We started drowsy but awake two nights ago and ditched the swaddle all at the same time.  The reason being was because Monday he pitched an absolute fit going to bed.  Nothing we could do soothed him.  We were at a loss.  He didn't want to be held so we just put him down.  He fussed but fell asleep on his own and slept from 830-300.  He woke to eat and then back down until 6.  Last night he fussed for even shorter amount of time then slept from 7-545.  I was shocked!!  I'm hoping this is the start of something good for us too.  I have done the awake but drowsy with every nap too and so far so good.  So much better than I ever imagined it would be.  I tried to go in and reassure him once but he got so mad.  Now I just let him be.  He even woke up and played after his nap this morning instead of immediately screaming.  I know CIO isn't for everyone but some of us just don't have babies that sleep well without a little guidance.

bikitybinx

Congratulations!!! What a relief!  I hope LO keeps it up for you! 

We have been able to do drowsy but awake for naps, but I am afraid to try it at night.  Plus, DH doesn't get to see her all day so for now we're going to keep up with our ritual where he rocks her to sleep.   

88eve88

It sounds like your little man is maturing!  I hope from this day forward, his bedtime routine will be a lot easier and quicker.  Congrats!!

BoilerUp1

Thanks ladies!  We're still napping in the swing, carseat, etc. (anywhere but the crib) but I'll tackle that issue later.  One issue at a time here.  One WWYD question though:

 We were planning on moving him to the crib for night time sleep this weekend.  Would you continue to try drowsy but awake or rock him until he's out cold since this will be a new place for him?  I'm thinking drowsy but awake but if he pitches a fit we will then rock him and try for drowsy but awake again in a week or two.  But, wanted to get your feedback  

88eve88

BoilerUp1:

Thanks ladies!  We're still napping in the swing, carseat, etc. (anywhere but the crib) but I'll tackle that issue later.  One issue at a time here.  One WWYD question though:

 We were planning on moving him to the crib for night time sleep this weekend.  Would you continue to try drowsy but awake or rock him until he's out cold since this will be a new place for him?  I'm thinking drowsy but awake but if he pitches a fit we will then rock him and try for drowsy but awake again in a week or two.  But, wanted to get your feedback  

Has he been in his crib before?  If you want to try drowsy, but awake, I would put him in there awake during the day to get him familiar with the new environment. Does he have a mobile?  Perhaps put him in the crib with the mobile on as you put away laundry in his room.  

I'm inclined to rock him until he's out cold, just because the "drowsy, but awake" is a new skill for him, coupled with a new room, might be a bit overwhelming.  But you know your son best, so if you're up for it ... give it a try!  

BoilerUp1

88eve88:

BoilerUp1:

Thanks ladies!  We're still napping in the swing, carseat, etc. (anywhere but the crib) but I'll tackle that issue later.  One issue at a time here.  One WWYD question though:

 We were planning on moving him to the crib for night time sleep this weekend.  Would you continue to try drowsy but awake or rock him until he's out cold since this will be a new place for him?  I'm thinking drowsy but awake but if he pitches a fit we will then rock him and try for drowsy but awake again in a week or two.  But, wanted to get your feedback  

Has he been in his crib before?  If you want to try drowsy, but awake, I would put him in there awake during the day to get him familiar with the new environment. Does he have a mobile?  Perhaps put him in the crib with the mobile on as you put away laundry in his room.  

I'm inclined to rock him until he's out cold, just because the "drowsy, but awake" is a new skill for him, coupled with a new room, might be a bit overwhelming.  But you know your son best, so if you're up for it ... give it a try!  

He's in his crib looking at his mobile for at least 15 minutes a day.  We have tried naps in there and they have NOT been successful.  I think you're right to rock him till he's out for a few nights.  Other than last night, my son has not been good at self-soothing AT.ALL.