WWYD?? Torn re: EXPENSIVE sleep plan. :-S

RunningWife · February 2011

So...as some of you are aware, we have been working with a sleep consultant to help us deal with Logan's sleep issues.

She came recommended by a friend who knew 3 families that used her successfully; this woman is highly regarded in the community and I did my research on her; asked around, scoured her website, did Google searches.

We have paid over $300 for her services, which involved an email questionnaire to get an idea of our situation, then a 45 minute in detail phone conversation. She then prepares the sleep plan for us, and we get 2 phone calls and 8 emails during the implementation of the program if we have any questions.

We received the plan in the mail yesterday, and it's detailed (14 pages long). However, after reading through it, I'm really torn.

It does have some good info of how to get Logan away from his snacky eating (a couple of oz here and there...never a big, full bottle), and she does say that if we commit to the plan, he should be sleeping through the night in 3-7 days, but here is where the problem lies:

-after the first night on the plan (when we feed him at 3am), we are NOT to give him any food during the night. She says that after a few days, he'll catch on and will increase his daytime intake. I believe that some babies need food at night up until around one year old.

-for the first 2 weeks, until his new routine is established, he NEEDS to take ALL his naps in his crib and it is recommended that we don't go out during the day to avoid him falling asleep in his carseat or stroller, so basically for 2 weeks, I'm housebound

-in her notes, she did say that while it's rare, some babies get so upset during training that they may vomit. WTF?!?! I don't think I could leave my baby to cry until he vomits.

The plan is just a detailed, modified version of Ferber, that gives us night by night instructions for the first week with some personalized information re: Logan. Don't get me wrong; I don't have a problem with a bit of CONTROLLED fussing on his part...but this plan just sounds really rigid and harsh...and I don't know if I can follow through. I"m torn because we paid a lot of money for this and a few of the suggestions she's given us so far have really helped him improve his sleep...so I don't know what to do! Please, any suggestions...

P.S. a refund is NOT an option; all plans are a final sale.

MrsFv20 · February 2011

I would say that regardless of how much you spent, if you aren't comfortable with it, then don't follow it. I would NEVER let my baby get so upset that he's vomiting, wtf!

I know this is recommended ad nauseum on here, but have you read the No Cry Sleep Solution? It's my personal belief that babies will sleep through the night when they are ready, but this book gave a lot of great tips and insights to sleep train a lot more gently.

ames71 · February 2011

I'd rather be out $300 than have my baby cry until he vomits. That's sick.

smerka · February 2011

I'd ask your pediatrician about the babies needing food at night until one year.

I strongly believe in a little tough love in order to sleep train. Not abusive, but tough. If baby has all they need, there is no reason they should be allowed to cry for a while. My first son sleeps like a champ and always has (except when he's teething). My second son is smaller and still wakes up at night, which needs to stop soon or mama's going to lose it. We've all been sick this week, so I'm hoping to work on it next week or at least when we start solids in the next month or so.

To your original question - I say you've already paid for it, why not try it.

RunningWife · February 2011

MrsFv20:
I would say that regardless of how much you spent, if you aren't comfortable with it, then don't follow it. I would NEVER let my baby get so upset that he's vomiting, wtf!
I know this is recommended ad nauseum on here, but have you read the No Cry Sleep Solution? It's my personal belief that babies will sleep through the night when they are ready, but this book gave a lot of great tips and insights to sleep train a lot more gently.

I have it, and have read it cover to cover. Twice. We have even implemented a few of the ideas...but didn't make a difference. It was the first book I bought after he was born.

Thanks, though!

[Deleted User] · February 2011

The user and all related content has been deleted.

MrsFv20 · February 2011

RunningWife:
MrsFv20:
I would say that regardless of how much you spent, if you aren't comfortable with it, then don't follow it. I would NEVER let my baby get so upset that he's vomiting, wtf!
I know this is recommended ad nauseum on here, but have you read the No Cry Sleep Solution? It's my personal belief that babies will sleep through the night when they are ready, but this book gave a lot of great tips and insights to sleep train a lot more gently.
I have it, and have read it cover to cover. Twice. We have even implemented a few of the ideas...but didn't make a difference. It was the first book I bought after he was born.
Thanks, though!

haha yeah I kind of figured you had already. It seems to be a popular one on here.

Good luck with everything - my little girl just slept through all the way through twice the last two nights for the first time ever and I'm afraid to jinx it!!

BC&MM · February 2011

My question is why do you need her. Why isn't it just your baby is normal and needs some night time feedings?

RunningWife · February 2011

BC&MM:
My question is why do you need her. Why isn't it just your baby is normal and needs some night time feedings?

Oh, it's totally not the night feedings I have a problem with; if he's hungry, I will feed him. That's why I noted in my OP that I didn't have a problem feeding him.I know some babies do STTN and don't need the food at night; that is fine also.

We just went through a 2.5 month stint where he literally was up every.hour.at.night. We're talking 8-12 times a night and would only take the bottle the first time. That's why I was seeking help, as I didn't know how to fix it and after 2.5 months, I obviously wasn't doing something right.

RunningWife · February 2011

AmyG*:
If you paid your $ and you want a better plan,

then ask for one

tell her to come up with a plan for gradually getting rid of night feedings and avoiding vomiting at all costs.

if she has no suggestions for how to do this without those two issues, then she's not really a baby sleep expert, is she?

BTW, you could have paid me $300 and I would have given you much better advice.

HA! Yeah...I'll bet lots of people would put that offer out there.

We did it out of desperation; after 2.5 months when things weren't improving and we'd tried everything WE could think of...and when a friend suggested her, I figured we had nothing to lose...and if it worked, then it's well worth the money.

I guess I shouldn't automatically assume that it won't work, and we'll probably start off by giving it a try; we'll know pretty quickly if it's something that the family can deal with...

BC&MM · February 2011

How does he sleep during the day?

RunningWife · February 2011

BC&MM:
How does he sleep during the day?

Like absolute crap. Which just perpetuates the night problem. He's the king of 45 minute naps (once or twice a week, he'll throw in a longer one). He might take 3 naps a day,totalling just over 2 hours, when at his age, he needs about 3.5 hours of daytime sleep...

We have started unswaddling him and using a white noise machine which has helped...

We'll give the sleep plan a whirl (as I mentioned before); we'll know pretty quick if it's something that our family can stick to.

Tbdempsey · February 2011

Since you paid for her services, I would advise you to get the most out of her, but only do what you are comfortable with. If she won't come up with a plan that you feel good about, then combine her tips with which you do agree and your instincts as a mother. Have you read the book 12 Hours Sleep by 12 Weeks? I feel like I am always recommending it on these boards, but I can't say enough about it. By 12 weeks, my DD was sleeping for 12 hours and eating at the same 4 times (4 hours apart) every day. I NEVER made her CIO. The book's process was approved by my pedi, and I never felt uncomfortable with any of the methods. My daughter is thriving on the routine, and I am definitely a much happier mommy!

RunningWife · February 2011

Tbdempsey:
Since you paid for her services, I would advise you to get the most out of her, but only do what you are comfortable with. If she won't come up with a plan that you feel good about, then combine her tips with which you do agree and your instincts as a mother. Have you read the book 12 Hours Sleep by 12 Weeks? I feel like I am always recommending it on these boards, but I can't say enough about it. By 12 weeks, my DD was sleeping for 12 hours and eating at the same 4 times (4 hours apart) every day. I NEVER made her CIO. The book's process was approved by my pedi, and I never felt uncomfortable with any of the methods. My daughter is thriving on the routine, and I am definitely a much happier mommy!

Thanks! I'll check it out!

SuperThat1006 · February 2011

Use the elements you agree with -- I think the naps in the crib are a good suggestion. But definitely don't let your child cry until vomiting because she suggested it.

Sorry if you've gone over this before, but has your pedi ruled out any potential medical issues like lactose intolerance or anything else that may be effecting his eating or sleeping?

RunningWife · February 2011

ChrissieW3:
Use the elements you agree with -- I think the naps in the crib are a good suggestion. But definitely don't let your child cry until vomiting because she suggested it.
Sorry if you've gone over this before, but has your pedi ruled out any potential medical issues like lactose intolerance or anything else that may be effecting his eating or sleeping?

Yeah, thanks. That is a great suggestion and it was one of the things that I asked the doctor about first. Also had him ruled out for reflux as I thought that might have been the issue.

DH and I think that we were part of the problem. He started waking frequently ans since we share walls with people, we were adamant to let him fuss at all,so we would respond to him the minute he made a peep. Not even a fuss, just a noise, so we figured he got used to the attention at night and we kind of encouraged him to keep waking up because we responded...

Ananke · February 2011

Sounds like this lady has quite the lucrative business if she's just regurgitating Ferber. I'd definitely tell her you're unhappy with that plan since you could have gotten the same thing from a $10 book.

I do have to ask - do you BF or FF? haven't kept up with all your nighttime issues so you may have tried anything I might suggest, but we're going through the same night problems - waking every hour. A few times I thought it was getting better, but then he's reverted back. I went to the pedi today to make sure he's healthy - he is - and she said he might be sensitive to dairy, so I'm cutting it out of my diet. Have you tried that if you BF? Or a different formula?

wife1014 · February 2011

First, I am so sorry you spent 300 bucks on what is a great combo of Ferber and Weisbluth. She is a scam...

Second, seeing you paid 300 bucks, you should ask her for alternate solutions to your issues.

Good luck.

Want a personalized experience?

WWYD?? Torn re: EXPENSIVE sleep plan. :-S

Re: WWYD?? Torn re: EXPENSIVE sleep plan. :-S

Choose Another Board

Search Boards