PR: Should I sleep train?

futant462 · March 2014

E is 6 months old now. For the previous few months he was STTN from 9 PM until 8 AM, give or take a wake up here and there for feedings or changings. For the past week however, STTN changed to waking up every 45 minutes. Full on crying until DW or I go into the room to rock him back to sleep.

He is not teething yet and his reflux has been better since he was 4 months old. He's been a tummy sleeper in his crib for a while now.

From various articles I've been reading online about sleep training, most say that we should start now. I feel terrible hearing him wail and he also hyperventilates when he's really upset. He will most likely do this if we CIO which is why I'm hesitant to do it.

Should we sleep train? If so, what methods worked for you?

msdrdg · March 2014

We did a slightly modified Ferber at about 8 months. Worked like a charm. By day 3 he was putting himself to sleep and STTN. I am fully aware that this is not the norm for most kids.

That said, he is 3.5 now and I cannot get the little fucker to fall asleep in a timely manor to save my life.

thebanich · March 2014

We had to do total elimination with both kids. Going back in the room just made things worse.

That said... we didn't sleep train DD until she was 15 months and DS still randomly regresses and wakes up eleventy times a night. (he is 18 months) We did the co-sleeping thing with both kids until they were 8 months or so. If you guys are ready to sleep train I say go for it. I was/am too much of a softy to let them cry at 6 months old.

missyishere · March 2014

We did sleep training at around 9 months, but I think every kid is different and needs the change at different times. I would have to somewhat re-train her every so often, but it is mostly teething related.

jackson290721 · March 2014

DD is 7 mo. Around 6 months her sleep went to shit. It was torture. But it did pass. I would try to wait it out and see if it resolves on its own, like PP said.

A lot of people like the Ferber method or no cry sleep solution if you do decide to sleep train.

Good luck!

futant462 · March 2014

LexiLupin said:

We had moderate success sleep training at that age, though it hasn't lasted. That said, such an abrupt change in sleep like that, are you sure he's not teething? New teeth wreck my kid's sleep a good 10 days out at least. Even for a crappy sleeper, waking up wailing every 45 mins sounds a bit extreme.

My mind immediately went to teething when this first started happening, but none of the tell-tale signs are there.

He will sleep fine from 8:30 PM until midnight. After that all hell breaks loose and I end up hugging the Keurig by 6AM.

futant462 · March 2014

CTGirl30 said:

I will add, to my mention above of ear infections messing with DS's sleep, that he had NO symptoms (no temperature) other than the sleep disruption and what he displayed at daycare - digging in his ear. He didn't do that at home, oddly enough, so thankfully his daycare teachers were very in tune with how he was doing that there and they let me know.

Sure enough...

Has your son been congested at all lately or just recently gotten over a cold? That was what caused my kids' EI's. But yes, they will typically scream bloody murder upon laying down because the fluid in their ears just hurts so much in that position.

He's always had a stuffy nose, probably because our house has been so dry this winter. He's had no problems during the day so I don't rightly know if it would be an ear infection. His 6 month checkup is tomorrow so it's definitely something I will ask the Pediatrician.

littlestjerry · March 2014

We did CIO around seven months and it changed our lives. It wasn't fun, but DS is a great sleeper now. We occasionally have to let him cry again, but it's never been like it was that first time we sleep trained.

futant462 · March 2014

CTGirl30 said:

PS - not to sidetrack on this, but do the 3 of us all have Evan's?

@ThisIsBrea & @Futant462 Maybe it's the NAME. ;-)

I KNEW I should have named him Thorin!

Kidding.

willy_gert · March 2014

We sleep trained at about 8 months and then again at 14 months. We used Ferber both times and DD is a fantastic sleeper. We put her down awake every night and she uses stall tactics for sure, but once we lay her down it is less than 5 minutes and she is out cold. We found that the routine was more important for her.

Only you can decide what is best for your family and child, but sleep training totally changed our lives and we are all much more happy now. I would definitely recommend doing your research though!

Good Luck and I hope you don't have to hug your Keurig as often in the coming days!

futant462 · March 2014

Yes we have Everett's although my wife refers to him as little face all the time. I hope he learns his real name :P

OutOfStep81 · March 2014

We did sleep training when DS was around 11 months old. Best thing we ever did.

We used "The Sleep Easy Solution". It has a lot of info on how much sleep your child needs at what age (naps included). DS now goes down without a problem for naps and bedtime.

futant462 · March 2014

Thank you for the advice! It looks like we will be starting sleep training tonight. Fingers crossed that this goes well.

missyishere · March 2014

Do you use a humidifier in his room for the dry air?

futant462 · March 2014

missyishere said:
Do you use a humidifier in his room for the dry air?

Yes but the humidifier on our furnace is shite.

We are currently 20 minutes into this process and we are dying to comfort him. I feel like a fucking asshole.

missyishere · March 2014

You're not an asshole @futant462, but it I know that shitty feeling. It will improve tremendously in the next three days. It really does get better and helps everyone in the end. It was the hardest process yet the best decision I made as a parent.

futant462 · March 2014

I know and thank you both. This is probably only the 2nd or 3rd time he has really bawled like this. It's very hard to listen to it and not do anything.

He has calmed down a bit in the last few minutes. Now he's just kicking his legs and whimpering.

missyishere · March 2014

Would the bacon suit make you feel better?

futant462 · March 2014

ThisIsBrea said:
Drink all the booze. It'll get better.

::does that finger eye thing::

fancynewbeesly · March 2014

CTGirl30 said:

PS - not to sidetrack on this, but do the 3 of us all have Evan's?

@ThisIsBrea & @Futant462 Maybe it's the NAME. ;-)

@CTGirl30

My brother is an Evan. My parents said that he never slept through the night until he was able to walk/run. He had classic ADHD and until he could burn off energy, was never able to relax, wind down and sleep.

futant462 · March 2014

@MrsButt He's actually asleep! Took him almost a half hour but I'll take it!

I was going to make a mixed drink but this calls for a shot

futant462 · March 2014

LexiLupin said:

futant462 said:

ThisIsBrea said:
Drink all the booze. It'll get better.
::does that finger eye thing::
But are you wearing pants?

Yep, good ol soft pants

littlestjerry · March 2014

I agree tomorrow and even the next day will probably suck...it was a good 5 days of suck with DS. But it's always darkest before dawn!

futant462 · March 2014

missyishere said:
Would the bacon suit make you feel better?

It is calling my name. That would take a shit ton more booze though.

missyishere · March 2014

Is @eyris YW @futant462?

eyris · March 2014

Hahaha, I knew someone was going to catch me lurking eventually. Good work @missyishere

*scurries back to S13*

missyishere · March 2014

eyris said:
Hahaha, I knew someone was going to catch me lurking eventually. Good work @missyishere

*scurries back to S13*

No, come play. We all float down here!

missyishere · March 2014

Just don't page YH on the board, and we'll all get along swimmingly.

eyris · March 2014

I don't know if I can hang. I'm barely a 3 on the Cumberbitch scale.

missyishere · March 2014

eyris said:
I don't know if I can hang. I'm barely a 3 on the Cumberbitch scale.

You are by no means required to wear the Cumbercrown. Sherlock is still a great show, even if Benny doesn't tingle your bits.

eyris · March 2014

Thanks ladies.

I've been lurking this board a bit lately since S13 has really calmed down, maybe I'll start posting a bit here and there.

Don't want the ol' DH to think I'm checking up on him...but I figured this thread is fair game since it is about my child, too.

eyris · March 2014

Let me just get out my Sharpie...

futant462 · March 2014

He STTN last night! The stupid Angelcare breathing alarm went off around 2 AM because he moved to the edge of the crib, but other than that he never woke up again until this morning!

I'm hoping things go as smoothly tonight, but even if they don't this was still a great start. Thank you guise for the advice and support last night. I really do appreciate it!

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