Another Sleep Training Problem

rsideemd · May 2013

LO has always slept in a sleep sack and is put down for bed fully asleep. We have to use the sack, because she wakes herself up with her arm movements. I am unable to put her down in her crib without it. I know I need to stop doing both, but I don't know where to start. Is leaving one arm out of the swaddle a good idea? Or is there another method? I don't really know if I should tackle both problems at one time or just get her use to sleeping without the sack first.

Also, she gets worked up very easily and has a difficult time falling asleep without help. Our pediatrician recommended the Ferber method and gave me some printouts with information. From what I've read, it sounds like the best option for us. She already STTN, so it's mainly just needing her to fall asleep on her own at bedtime. She shouldn't be hungry. I just know she does not let up on the crying until I go and get her. I'm afraid of her crying all night long and her getting no sleep.

danieliza1127 · May 2013

We didn't swaddle so I can't help you there, but we did sleep training with the Ferber method and it's never as bad as you think it will be. The baby will not just cry all night and not sleep. There are several posts about it here if you scroll down a bit, you'll see many of us who say we did it and it isn't nearly as bad as you think it will be.

pb_bride · May 2013

You should stop swaddling her before sleep training, that way, she can soothe herself with her hands. At 7 month +, your DD should no longer have the startle reflex. We switched DS from a swaddle to a regular sleep sack when we sleeptrained him.

We did Ferber and it worked well. Yes, there is crying at the start, but the length of crying diminishes rapidly by day 3 or 4. Most people report minimal to NO crying at all by day 5 (same with us). I highly recommend reading his book before you start, as the book has lots of good information. The worst you can do to your child is to start sleep training and let her cry, then go in and pick her up, as that means you are UNdoing everything and all the crying she has done was all for nothing.

ndruley · May 2013

I agree 100% with the PP and would like to add that you and your H should read the Ferber book not just printouts from the pedi. Good Luck!

rsideemd · May 2013

pb_bride:
You should stop swaddling her before sleep training, that way, she can soothe herself with her hands. At 7 month +, your DD should no longer have the startle reflex. We switched DS from a swaddle to a regular sleep sack when we sleeptrained him.
We did Ferber and it worked well. Yes, there is crying at the start, but the length of crying diminishes rapidly by day 3 or 4. Most people report minimal to NO crying at all by day 5 (same with us). I highly recommend reading his book before you start, as the book has lots of good information. The worst you can do to your child is to start sleep training and let her cry, then go in and pick her up, as that means you are UNdoing everything and all the crying she has done was all for nothing.

I don't know if it's technically still the startle reflex or if it's her being a light sleeper. Any movement of her arms while you're trying to put her in her crib will wake her up. That's why I have been continuing to do it.

Also, she gets her arms out of the swaddle in the middle of the night and usually goes back to sleep. It's just initially getting her in the crib that causes a problem. I just don't know what to do about it.

Do I try doing it cold turkey? Or do I try having one arm out at first?

pb_bride · May 2013

If your goal is to sleep train her so you can put her in the crib awake and let her fall asleep on her own, then there's no need to swaddle, right? With her at 7 months, I would just go cold turkey. You may have a few rough nights but babies tend to adjust quickly.

dodgerfantobe · May 2013

We started dropping the swaddle last weekend. Wanting to get my guy out of the swaddle and then do some sleep training. I just went no swaddle at all on Friday night, it was no good. I forgot that I transitioned my daughter, starting with one arm out. So, that's where we are, he has one arm out still. He's still not sleeping well maybe one 34 hour stretch at a time, but he is way happier than having both arms on or out. Short story I'd say start with one arm and give baby a chance to get used to the change. There's no rush really...

dodgerfantobe · May 2013

Wanted to also say that my guy doesn't roll over yet. I think whether baby rolls can have a lot to do with how they will do out of the swaddle. I keep telling him that when he can roll over he will get to sleep on his tummy and we will all sleep better :. He's almost there. Certainly I know I could put him on his tummy to sleep and he would be just fine at his age, I just want it to be his choice.

annmarieki · May 2013

We have been using the merlin sleepsuit and has helped with the startle reflex since we can no longer swaddle. Use this along with a good consistent routine and my baby is back to sleeping 6-8 hour stretches then back down for a few more hours after a morning feeding

puppy_love6969 · May 2013

I got rid of the swaddle before I sleep trained. I did one arm out for a few weeks, then both out. Then I sleep trained using Ferber. THEN, I got her a sleep sack - minus the swaddle part. I swear it feels like the swaddling will never end, but it will! I'd tackle one thing at a time if I were you.

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