Sleep training, need encouragement

srehman

We never intended to Sleep Train DD, we have been bed sharing from day 1. She has never STTN, and subsequently, neither have I for the past year. I have to work so hard to get her to sleep at night and when I am home on weekends, naps are a nightmare. I know we are late to the game, but I have read the Solving your child's sleep problems book cover to cover and we ate going to try to get DD in her crib and STTN. Any advice? Words of encouragement?

SS1639

I'm right there with you. I've nursed to sleep each and every time for naps, bedtime, and throughout the night which he still wakes up 3-5 times. If I put him in his crib he immediately throws up and I can't leave him to sleep in that so he ends up back in bed with me. I'm tired, I want him to sleep on his own, I want my husband to be able to put him to sleep. I know I'm going to have to let him cry it out b/c nothing else works. No point to this other than to tell you that you are definitely not alone! 

pennysuedog

We bed share too, but not at nap time.  I guess I would start with the nap. 

(we did this around 6-7 months) How we got Violet to take a nap in her crib was that I would put her in when she was tired but not asleep with a bottle.  I then would lay my back against the crib so she knew I was there but I didn't look at her and I would sit in there until she went to sleep.  If she pitched a fit I would pick her up and soothe her and then try it again.  If she just whined I left her be.  Pretty soon I started laying her down with just a bottle or binky and left the room. 

We will start soon trying this at night.

kagl08

I would start with naptime. I would also be sure to make a bedtime routine that incorporates your bed for now but can easily be changed to your LOs room when you are ready to transition. They need consistency to feel comfortable. Also, start a consistent naptime routine if you don't already have one.

I highly suggest the Baby Whisperer. It's a non CIO method that should help with the transition for both of you. You may need to do CIO later too, but at least it will be a gradual transition for both of you. Good luck!!