Sleep Update

jbranden12 · December 2013

I posted last month about Anna's sleep issues: https://forums.thebump.com/discussion/12150442/sleep-issues-long

She is now a little over 11 months actual, 8 months adjusted. A week ago, after getting a pretty good bedtime routine established, we finally decided to move her from the RNP in our room to the crib in her nursery. We also ditched the swaddle and went to the Magic Sleep Suit (love!) and are no longer nursing to sleep (for the first stretch of the night, at least). I am pleased to report it is going really well! It has not been without tears, but overall everyone is getting more sleep. She usually sleeps from 7ish to 6:30ish with 1-2 feeds. I am comfortable with this as I want her to continue gaining weight steadily and it is a vast improvement from 5-6 feeds a night. Wednesday night, she STTN for the first time - 11 hours without waking!

Just want to let all you preemie (especially bfing) moms know to hang in there, you will sleep again someday! (Also, I hope this post does't jinx it, lol!)

KTZ17 · December 2013

I re-read your original post and that is exactly what we're going through. We have DD's crib in our room and she was STTN until about a month ago when she started waking up every hour or so. I could only get her back to sleep by nursing her, and after several nights without sleep I brought her to bed with me. Now for the last two nights I haven't even gotten her into the crib for more than an hour. What did you do to improve things?

LaciJaxx · December 2013

Ugh ... I think we are going through sleep regression mixed with teething. Oh joy!!!! He's been a great sleeper for months but here lately, not so much. I'm doing a lot of research about it right now and soon hope to figure out what's best for all of us. Right now we are getting up 5-6 times a night but he's not eating, just crying then falling asleep on us only to repeat. Sigh.

So glad to hear your LO is doing better. There's hope yet. :-) Our LO slept a lot better (so did we) when he moved into his own room. Crazy to think about. Keep it up!!!

Ps... I'm always afraid of jinxing myself too

jbranden12 · December 2013

KTZ17 said:

I re-read your original post and that is exactly what we're going through. We have DD's crib in our room and she was STTN until about a month ago when she started waking up every hour or so. I could only get her back to sleep by nursing her, and after several nights without sleep I brought her to bed with me. Now for the last two nights I haven't even gotten her into the crib for more than an hour. What did you do to improve things?

First, we had to get a really good routine down that does not involve nursing to sleep for the first stretch. It was really hard at first, because she ALWAYS eats to sleep. Naps and at night. But it actually took less than a week to make the switch at night (she still eats to sleep during the day). Now we do dinner of some solids, nurse, bath, lotion, jammies and sleep suit. Then, I turn out the lights, turn on the sound machine, and hold her and sway while patting her back and singing the same three songs. Then, I put her in the crib with a lovey that I've slept with.

Things I really credit: moving her to the nursery, magic sleep suit, moving her bedtime back half an hour, and a consistent routine!

LaciJaxx · December 2013

What is up with this sleep suit? I've seen a lot of posts about it lately. What's the benefit, etc?

jbranden12 · December 2013

lacijacques said:

What is up with this sleep suit? I've seen a lot of posts about it lately. What's the benefit, etc?

It's supposed to help transition from the swaddle. It sort of cocoons them and restricts movement a bit but not as much as swaddle, thus making it less likely that they will wake themselves by flailing about. I'm aware that we replaced one crutch with another, but it will be a long time before Anna outgrows it so we'll cross that bridge when we come to it! Without it, she wakes up immediately upon being put down and starts screaming and arching her back. I think the suit makes her feel more safe.

LaciJaxx · December 2013

Oh okay. Our LO hated to be swaddled so I guess we lucked out on that.

LaciJaxx · December 2013

Does your LO have reflux? I'm just curious since you're talking about her arching her back. Ours does that when his reflux is acting up

aessary03 · December 2013

Congrats!

jbranden12 · December 2013

lacijacques said:
Does your LO have reflux? I'm just curious since you're talking about her arching her back. Ours does that when his reflux is acting up

She did have mild reflux that she grew out of, but her arching now is due to her high muscle tone.

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