s/o Sleep Training

Sillygirl85 · December 2013

We have been rocking Elijah to sleep for naps and bedtime since he was born. It has started to take close to an hour to get him to sleep this way. He resists going to sleep and then he can't seem to get comfortable. I think it's time to get him to fall asleep in his crib. Problem being I have a really hard time just letting him cry. Does anyone have any suggestions for methods of sleep training that I could try? And maybe a book that would be helpful? I definitely don't think I could do full on CIO so maybe some type of modified version?

hilsy85 · December 2013

Have you read the no cry sleep solution? I have heard good things, but it can take a while--like several weeks.

I have done modified CIO with LO for night time in the past, and just did it today for naps as well and he did AWESOME. I did checks at 5, 7, and 9 minutes for the first nap, and he fell asleep after 35 minutes total (including the time I went in there to check on him). The 2nd nap was 6 minutes of crying--I didn't even go in there.

Do you have a video monitor? I found that to be helpful while ST because I could see he was ok. Or maybe have your DH do the checks or take over ST.

lady dixneuf · December 2013

I don't have a solution per se (though I did read the no cry sleep solution and liked that) but I can offer the following lesson I learned:

I am always always shocked at how effective simply leaving the room and not intervening for a while is. He may be screaming when I leave, but if I let him cry it's rarely more than about 3 or 4 minutes, if that.

My experience has been like Hilsy's. What I do is make note of the time when I put him down. If he is really still howling like 15 min later I'll go in.

Can you also trust you/him? LIke, I know when he's REALLY crying or just trying to "negotiate!"

Wally3 · December 2013

The most important thing is to decide what you are going to do - no cry, shuffle, Ferber, CIO. And stick to it for at least a week. consistency is the key. If you do give up give up for at least a week before trying Something new.

I like good night sleep tight. I was rocking and I followed her plan she does a shuffle when you start put next to the bed and move further away every couple of nights. It take longer but you are there to shh and pat them. There is some crying. The first night is the hardest. 45 min for me. I also liked Ferber time checks. I know that he hasn't been crying very long. A lot of times he will cry but stop on less then 2 minutes when I leave. I did Ferber for night wakings but shuffle for bed and nap.

CnAnA · December 2013

I am making it up on my own to be perfectly honest. Alice is in a toddler bed, so this may not work for you. I rock her for about 10 min, then when she is mostly asleep I put her in her bed. I use her mattress as a foot rest so she feels like she has someone there snuggling. Sometimes it works, sometimes I have to pick her back up and rock her a few times.

Sleep is pretty much a crapshoot at my house.

hilsy85 · December 2013

CnAnA said:

Alice is in a toddler bed, so this may not work for you. I rock her for about 10 min, then when she is mostly asleep I put her in her bed. I use her mattress as a foot rest so she feels like she has someone there snuggling. Sometimes it works, sometimes I have to pick her back up and rock her a few times. Sleep is pretty much a crapshoot at my house.

Whoa! How come you switched to a toddler bed, might I ask? I am terrified of this transition!

CnAnA · December 2013

@hilsy85 we moved her because she haaaaaated her crib. She doesn't do well in any form of baby jail. We have a convertible crib so we took the front railing off and put up a regular bed rail. She hasn't figured out how to get past the bed rail, but it's low enough that it makes her think she can if she wanted to. LOL

Sillygirl85 · December 2013

Thanks ladies. I think I will try reading the No Cry sleep method. Neither my husband or I can stand to let him cry. @CnAnA we may end up taking off the front rail as well. He has started jumping in his crib and I am afraid he is going to figure out how to go right over the railing just like his mother did.

NapJunkie · December 2013

I tried the No Cry Sleep Solution but had no luck. I then tried Ferber's method. For the first 6 nights it was awful, but then on night 7 it was magical. I laid her down, she fussed for a minute, and then slept until 7am.

Every baby is different, so the method that worked for us may not work for you. Also, when they're sick, teething, going through a growth spurt or wonder week, then all bets are off and you just have to roll with the punches. Like PP said, no matter what method you use, consistency is the most important part.

My favorite website for this: https://www.healthytippingpoint.com/2012/12/adventures-in-baby-sleep-training.html

Ferber's method:

Day 1 - 3 min (1st wait); 5 min (2nd wait); 10 min (3rd wait); 10 min (subsequent waits)

Day 2 – 5 min; 10 min; 12 min; 12 min (subsequent waits)

Day 3 – 10 min; 12 min; 15 min; 15 min (subsequent waits)

Day 4 – 12 min; 15 min; 17 min; 17 min (subsequent waits)

Day 5 – 15 min; 17 min; 20 min; 20 min (subsequent waits)

Day 6 – 17 min; 20 min; 25 min; 25 min (subsequent waits)

Day 7 – 20 min; 25 min; 30 min; 30 min (subsequent waits)

[Deleted User] · December 2013

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Sillygirl85 · December 2013

@NapJunkie thanks for the information! Unfortunately I have to wait to start anything. I am home today with Elijah who is fighting off something. He's had a fever of between 102.5 and 103 since yesterday.

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