Another attempt at sleep training

MrsRiceARoni

I figured I'd jump on the sleep troubles/sleep training train and talk about how sleep training has been going for us. I decided to try Ferber's method because of recommendations on here and because he talks about how babies who had been sleeping well and regressed are good candidates because they have proven that they can sleep well, that's my lo for sure because she used to sleep great before hitting 4 months. So I've been reading Ferber's book and decided on Thursday that I had read enough to feel comfortable giving it a try.

Our first night was really rough, I think partially because we have a very strong willed little girl and partially because we were trying to put her down awake and take away her swaddle and paci all at once. She kept almost falling awake before seemingly startling herself . After over an hour of fighting she fell asleep for one sleep cycle before waking up again (about 45 minute later) at which point we decided to swaddle her with one arm out so she would feel more comfortable and familiar while still having access to a hand for self soothing (we plan to unwrap the other arm soon when she is sleeping better) than  she fought again for another hour before falling asleep for just shy of 5 hours before waking up to eat and than went back down easily for another 3.5 hours before I woke her up in the morning . It was a rough night for sure and she napped terribly yesterday as always but over all she still seemed quite happy.

Last night we tried again with the longer wait periods and we only had to check in on her twice and she fell asleep in just over 20 minutes and slept for almost 6 hours before waking up to eat, she went back down easily (I think she may have been a bit too asleep when she went back down) and woke up two hours later crying (again I think because she was mostly asleep when I placed her back down) DH just went in once to check on her and she went back to sleep a few minutes later until I again had to wake her up for her normal wake time. 

I am optomistic with how much she has already improved in the last two nights and I think finally getting some sleep again is helping me feel more patient and ready to be able to care for her better during the day.I hope she continues to improve and that all of you other ladies out there trying to fight through sleep difficulties with your los have success as well. 

melly918

Sounds like you are on the right track, mama! We are having success with this method also.  The first few nights are always the roughest.  

hopefulmom81

Great job, Rice!

 

We have had great success with the Ferber method as well.  There are always setbacks (illness, teething) that get in the way, but we go back to Ferber and it works great.

We tackled naps today for the first time EVER with the Ferber method.  I put her in her crib awake and she was asleep with in 8 minutes!  First time in her whole life that she has put herself to sleep for a nap when I am home.

adoxyinherear

So glad this is working for you!

melly918

Sounds like you are on the right track, mama! We are having success with this method also.  The first few nights are always the roughest.  

melly918

melly918:

Sounds like you are on the right track, mama! We are having success with this method also.  The first few nights are always the roughest.  

 

 

oops bump burp!

 

awesnap

Yay!!  So glad you are seeing results and happy with the route you chose. 

We did Ferber too, though I understand it's not for everyone.