Sleep training

crunchylove77 · February 2013

I so thought I would be done with this issue by the time I got to this board. DS has never STTN, nor had a consistent sleep schedule. Lately, he's been going down at 8, and waking around 12 and 5, then getting up for the day at 7 or 8. However, the last couple of nights, he has started waking several times an hour, fussing for a minute, then going back to sleep. Of course, I wake every time too. And last night, he woke a total of 5 times to nurse, on top of that. I'm freaking exhausted, and am just so tired of being so tired every day. I think I'm ready to do what I said I'd never do, and sleep train. I'm definitely not into CIO. I'm okay with letting him fuss, but an all out cry, I can't do it. I've considering of The No Cry Sleep Solution, but I know nothing of it's method, and whether it would mesh up with me and DS. What has worked for some of you? So many of you seem to have such good ideas about things, and am hoping you can help this tired, cranky mommy.

Gnadtkins · February 2013

I would suggest getting a consistent nap and sleep schedule first. That has worked well for us and I think DS thrives with it. I know some sleep training methods stress it, too. Other than that, you just have to pick a method that is right for you and your family. But a set night time sleep schedule would be my first step for a while. HTH. GL!

crunchylove77 · February 2013

I don't even know how to do that. I can't make him nap. If he's not tired, he will not sleep. And I work afternoons, so half the time I'm home for bedtime, and DH is there the other half, so it's hard to have the same bedtime routine every night. We try to stick to the same bedtime every night, but once again, if he's not ready, it's a waste of time to rock him for hours until he falls asleep. Other than CIO, I don't know how to do it.

Kissty · February 2013

I just purchased No Cry Sleep Solution. I haven't given it a full on try yet bc we have a hectic schedule for the next few weeks. There were several things in the book that I had been doing anyway. First: set a bedtime and stick to it! Establish a bedtime routine. I know you're not always there so your DH will have to help out. If you have different routines they need to be very similar. Our routine is very basic. 1 hour to 30 mins before time we dim the lights and turn the volume down on the tv. 8:45 we read a book. Lights mostly out (tv still on and a low watt lamp on the other side of the room) change diaper, get the paci and rock. (My DH can't do the rock so he bounces him) Watch for his sleepy cues. My LO will start yawning and rubbing his eyes (that's at anytime he's tired). Is he napping late in the day? Try not to let him take a very late nap. My son would want to nap at 8 for 30 mins but bedtime is 9. We had to cut out that 8 pm nap. We tried putting him down at 8 but he'll wake a 4:30 for the day. It's still a work in progress on this end. He just hit the 4 mos. wakeful so that's not helping us at all but, it is what it is. The book has many helpful tips in it. What helped me with napping was to watch for his clues and work from there. Is it possible that you're missing the window of opportunity (it explains it in the book)? But basically waiting too long on putting him to sleep and he gets a second wind. We were doing that unknowingly. I don't want to do CIO either so I'm looking in to other ways. HTH. It seems so much in parenting is trial and error. And every baby is different. Good luck tired Momma.

DCMerged · February 2013

pookey118:
I don't even know how to do that. I can't make him nap. If he's not tired, he will not sleep. And I work afternoons, so half the time I'm home for bedtime, and DH is there the other half, so it's hard to have the same bedtime routine every night. We try to stick to the same bedtime every night, but once again, if he's not ready, it's a waste of time to rock him for hours until he falls asleep. Other than CIO, I don't know how to do it.

Sorry, but you have to have a consistent and appropriate nap schedule, bedtime and morning wake time before you should do any sleep training. Buy Ferber's book for this - it is worth every penny even if you don't want to CIO. Most of the book talks about sleep requirements and expections for babies.

I also thought NCSS was good to reduce the dependency on comfort nursing at night.

I feel your pain. We are just coming out of the fog of exhaustion from night wakings with our 7 month old.

crunchylove77 · February 2013

Thanks for the suggestions ladies. At least I have some ideas to try now! We'll start with a better bedtime routine, and napping at set times. His morning nap is pretty regular, but things go all helter-skelter in the afternoon.

stacey171 · February 2013

How does he fall asleep at night, do you have to nurse or rock to sleep?

crunchylove77 · February 2013

I do nurse him to sleep.

Last night we put him down at 7:30 (I didn't let him nap after 5, so he was super tired) and he woke at 10. It took an HOUR to get him back to sleep, and he was miserable that whole hour. When he woke again at 1:30, I just brought him into our bed. At least I got a good nights sleep for once. We'll try again tomorrow.

TamiFaith · February 2013

Do you cosleep? From what I understand, if you co-sleep it can be very challenging to make the transition to sleeping through the night in his or her own bed.... I co-slept for a while when my LO was smaller and waking more during the night. Right now she's taking her naps alone in her own crib, which I consider progress

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