Another sleep question! 18 month old

bridein08 · May 2013

My son didn't STTN until 13 months when we weaned (he was up about 6x a night up until that point). Weaning was magic and we both started sleeping! For about a month. Until he started teething again (which has been pure hell since 4 months). In my exhaustion, I've just had DH go in and get him and bring him into bed with us. Sometimes it's midnight, sometimes it's 3 or 4 and sometimes he lasts until 6 or so (but rarely, RARELY will sleep until it's time to get up at 7).

This has been going on for months, and I am STILL exhausted with him sleeping in my arms and wiggling, screaming for water at times and asking for bananas (his early morning treat) in the middle of the night. I assumed the waking up is because of teething, since his last two incisors have recently come through and I give motrin like candy around here.

Anyway, he spent the night at my mom's while we went out of town (glorious full night of sleep! it was wonderful), and he STTN and didn't make a peep the entire night- 7p-7am.

SO... do you think he is totally taking advantage of me? I refused to have him come into our room, he cried for a long while and I finally went in. He went back to sleep in his crib after about 15 minutes of crying/rocking and then woke up shortly after and cried for about 20 minutes and then not again until 7.

I HATE hearing him cry, but I have no true issue with CIO (other than our room shares a wall with him and he is LOUD). What would you do, mamas? If he has Motrin and isn't sick would you just let him CIO at this point? I don't know what else to do and I don't want to end up with a two year old in my bed (and I was over this situation months ago). Any words of advice?

namara5532 · May 2013

As long as there isn't something else wrong like teething or sickness, I would suggest letting him CIO. It certainly sounds like he's getting up because he knows you'll come in for him. It sucks to hear your LO cry, but you know he's capable of STTN. It gets easier the more nights you do it.

nemosucksII · May 2013

At my DS's 18 month appointment, I asked about sleeping since my DS never STTN. She told me to let him CIO...no excuses! I asked her if it was mean of me to just ignore him and let him cry...she gave me great advice! It's not mean, it's called parenting!!

It has been 3 weeks since I've started CIO with DS. The first week and a half were HELL!!! Now he still cries but for 10 minutes and then STTN. Before this he probably slept thru the night a handful of times.

bunniekrissy · May 2013

Sounds familiar. I have no advice but just wanted to commiserate. My 17 month old has been a frequent night waker for most of his life, but he finally started STTN or only waking up once briefly for a few weeks from 15-16 months old. Then his molars started coming in. He was clearly bothered and kept waking up very upset, but at this point I think he's just back in the habit of always wanting to be held or nurse when he wakes up. So he'll wake up 2-4 times a night, and we'll often be unable to get him back down in his crib for 1-2 hours. I've refused to bed share at all for the last few months, but it's gotten to the point where we either need to implement some sleep training strategies or else side car his crib to our bed. I'm so tired of getting up multiple times a night. I am against CIO, and typically if I leave him in his crib when he wakes, he'll whine/talk/fuss for at least 45 minutes until I eventually go in to him because I can't sleep when he's awake making noise anyway, or it escalates to crying and I go in. But at the same time, he is almost 1.5 and certainly better equipped to be left alone than an infant. I was so excited when he finally started STTN for the most part on his own but those darn teeth just undid all that progress...

bridein08 · May 2013

Thanks, ladies! DS's doc actually encouraged us to CIO at his 6 month appt (and we did a modified Ferber for FALLING asleep, but I didn't do it during the night-- I didn't want him to cry if he was just hungry!), so I know it's okay to do.

Having some mamas with experience and advice surely helps, though! I will continue with that plan and DS will NOT be allowed in our bed from here on out. Thanks again!

Jmcmahon21 · May 2013

We tried CIO and it didn't work for DS. We did the sleep lady shuffle and ever since then he's been STTN and it is awesome! I would choose the sleep method that you feel is the best for him, CIO doesn't work for every LO in my opinion. Hope something works, good luck!

gracefulruby33 · May 2013

Bite the bullet and let him CIO. Put on some headphones, crank up the music if you have to get your mind off the crying. I also recommend earplugs. Be consistent and don't give in. We had to sleep train DD again about a month or so ago (after a period of teething and sickness) and she was back to normal after about three days. Stay strong!! I know that it is so hard to do, but after it is over, I am so happy (and DD is happy too) that she can put herself to sleep.

bridein08 · May 2013

Thanks for the newest advice. After that first night of CIO, he STTN last night. Possible fluke, but SO nice regardless as I have not had a full night of sleep at home in months. thanks again!

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