Ferber Method (loosely) and stuffy nose- help

levans

So my husband and I are thinking about doing a modified Ferber method of CIO- to get DD back to STTN (the four month wakeful hit us full force and hasn't stopped).  One of the problems we have encountered is our DD gets a stuffy nose from crying. She cries even more because she has a hard time breathing through her stuffed up nose. 

Since day one she's had issues with a stuffy nose.  Not sure if it's because we live in Denver and it's so much drier here or what.  I usually have to aspirate her at least once a day.  So the other night we tried the modified Ferber method of CIO.  After three minutes I went in- stuck the pacifier in her mouth and "shushed" her.  She would not stop crying because her nose was stuffed up.  Poor baby!  I had to take her downstairs and aspirate her.  I gave up on the CIO for the night, rocked her, shushed her and put her down drowsy but awake. (Of course she still woke up another four times during the night- hence us trying to do a sleep training routine)

So my questions are: will this even work for her? What do you do if your baby gets a stuffy nose from crying- which leads to more crying? 

For those that don't believe in CIO, that's fine.  To each their own.  But I'm trying to do what is right for my baby and my family. 

TIA.

eowynmn

Umm I'd clean out her nose.  WTF!?

levans

eowynmn:

Umm I'd clean out her nose.  WTF!?

 

how insightful, thanks.

franciscaz

You need to get the book!  It has much more to do with schedules, routines, etc than just CIO.  Read it and it might work but you need to do the whole banana not just let her scream until her little nose gets stuffy.  It might not work for you (it doesn't for all babies) but if you want to try DO IT RIGHT!  If you don't want to try it many on here have recommended the "No Cry Sleep Solution" book.  I dunno about it but I hear it is great.  GL!  No fun having a fussy baby.

eowynmn

levans:

eowynmn:

Umm I'd clean out her nose.  WTF!?

 

how insightful, thanks.

 Ask a stupid question, get a stupid answer.
 

levans

Thank you. It's weird because she is a GREAT napper - we have a really good routine the whole day.  I feed on demand and it's almost like clock work- every four hours she eats, she takes three naps duing the day (we put her down drowsy).  From eight weeks old to 18 weeks old she STTN- 8:30pm-7:00am.  Then her night time sleeping went to hell and a hand basket.  I just don't know what to do.  Sometimes she wakes up two times and some nights it's eight times.  She's not hungry.  We go in, put her paci in and pat her chest- she'll go right back to sleep.  I don't get it.  My husband and I are about at our wit's end. 

I figured we could try a loosely followed Ferber method (I wouldn't want her to cry more than five minutes- it breaks my heart to listen to her cry).  But then she got a stuffy nose and I had to aspirate her which completely woke her up.  How am I supposed to do any type of CIO method if she is always going to get a stuffy nose?  ugh! 

Maybe I'll be checking out the No Cry Sleep Solution from the library. 

7/04Bride

DS sort of had the same problem, but I don't think it was as bad as what you're describing.  This is what'd I'd do: Run a humidifier in her room a few hours before she is ready to go to bed and until she falls asleep.  Make sure you're putting her to bed at least as late as she normally falls asleep to minimize her potential crying time.  Stick to the suggested time intervals and have the aspirator ready by her crib to quickly clean out her nose if you need to.  Try to stick to the suggested times and method as much as you can.  Taking her out of her crib might delay the whole process even further.  Another side note: my pedi said that sometimes overuse of the aspirator can cause the problem to get worse because their noses are sensitive and can swell from it being stuck up there.  Could that be part of the problem?

levans

7/04Bride:

DS sort of had the same problem, but I don't think it was as bad as what you're describing.  This is what'd I'd do: Run a humidifier in her room a few hours before she is ready to go to bed and until she falls asleep.  Make sure you're putting her to bed at least as late as she normally falls asleep to minimize her potential crying time.  Stick to the suggested time intervals and have the aspirator ready by her crib to quickly clean out her nose if you need to.  Try to stick to the suggested times and method as much as you can.  Taking her out of her crib might delay the whole process even further.  Another side note: my pedi said that sometimes overuse of the aspirator can cause the problem to get worse because their noses are sensitive and can swell from it being stuck up there.  Could that be part of the problem?

We do have a humidifier in her room.  We normally don't turn it on until we take her in there.  Tonight I'll turn it on before we put her to bed.  We'll also follow your tips.  Thanks.  I have no idea about overuse of the aspirator.  I usually don't use it until she is rubbing at her nose and getting fussy about it.  Maybe I'll not use it for a few days and see if that helps.  Thanks!

7/04Bride

If she's rubbing at her nose and getting fussy, that probably is a good time to use it.  My pedi said that even if they sound stuffy, if they're not bothered by it, just let it be.  It sounds like you're doing it at the appropriate times.  Also, you mentioned naps are great.  DS also was a great napper and the book specifically says that if one or the other is going well, the method should work even quicker.  And FWIW, I don't think you asked a stupid question at all. 

levans

7/04Bride:

If she's rubbing at her nose and getting fussy, that probably is a good time to use it.  My pedi said that even if they sound stuffy, if they're not bothered by it, just let it be.  It sounds like you're doing it at the appropriate times.  Also, you mentioned naps are great.  DS also was a great napper and the book specifically says that if one or the other is going well, the method should work even quicker.  And FWIW, I don't think you asked a stupid question at all. 

Thank you so much.  I'm not sure why people want to be so nasty on here sometimes. I really do appreciate your responses.

eowynmn

levans:

7/04Bride:

If she's rubbing at her nose and getting fussy, that probably is a good time to use it.  My pedi said that even if they sound stuffy, if they're not bothered by it, just let it be.  It sounds like you're doing it at the appropriate times.  Also, you mentioned naps are great.  DS also was a great napper and the book specifically says that if one or the other is going well, the method should work even quicker.  And FWIW, I don't think you asked a stupid question at all. 

Thank you so much.  I'm not sure why people want to be so nasty on here sometimes. I really do appreciate your responses.

 

If you are talking about me, and you can say it to my face thanks - I'm only nasty when I see a mom doing something I would consider nasty to her child.  IMO - CIO when your child has a stuffy nose is pretty "nasty" as you put it.