Sleep training resources for 19 month old

mb314 · April 2014

We never sleep trained DS, and he's always been a terrible sleeper. I kept telling myself that he would grow out of it, but he hasn't. I'm now pregnant, and having to spend 45 minutes rocking DS to sleep, having him in bed with us after his first wake up (usually between 10 and 1 am), waking frequently after that, and always wanting to nurse in the middle of the night is wearing on me. I need my sleep and I need DS to sleep better. I particularly need him sleeping much better before November when the new baby arrives.

Do you have recommendations for toddler-specific sleep training? I haven't read Ferber or the other classics, but didn't know if they were geared more towards babies. I think I may start with night weaning (using the Jay Gordan method), but I have a feeling we may have to do CIO after the night weaning.

I appreciate any advice from those who have sleep trained toddlers!

ashiscute · April 2014

Ferber is not geared towards babies. He has examples of using his methods from 7 mo to 7 or 8 yo. His method involves progressive waiting. Basically going in for checks that get longer. His directions are very simple and very adaptable. I really enjoyed reading his books.

We sleep trained my LOs much younger but for me weaning was a huge help. Once my kids weaned they both slept much better at night and stopped waking up frequently. As soon as they realized that a nursing session was off the table it was like they weren't interested.

Best advice I have is read the book first. Come up with your plan that you and your DH can agree on and stick to it! Constincy will make things so much easier for your LO. Also, if you are doing checks I recommend taking turns so the same person isn't always going in. It is hard but only for a few nights and then it's loads better and you wonder what all the fuss is about. Good luck!

dkny155 · April 2014

We just did the CIO method with our 12mth old and it went great. I was so hesitant for so long but my husband kept pushing the subject so i finally did it and we have all slept great since! Just be consistent. The 1st night was the worst but after that she cried maybe a minute or two each night at bedtime then passed out!

jnnfrrose6 · April 2014

Moms On Call has a book on toddlers (I just downloaded it today for my kindle) and it's got a section on sleep training toddlers. We used their methods for when DS was little and it worked for us. I downloaded the book today for a reference for other things they discuss as I've found the entire series helpful (there's even a section in this one on toddlers and newborns so that may be helpful for you too).

mb314 · April 2014

Thanks everyone!

URMySunshine77 · April 2014

dkny155 said:

We just did the CIO method with our 12mth old and it went great. I was so hesitant for so long but my husband kept pushing the subject so i finally did it and we have all slept great since! Just be consistent. The 1st night was the worst but after that she cried maybe a minute or two each night at bedtime then passed out!

This was us. I resisted until DS was 13 months. I am so glad that I tried it. It was a piece of cake after the first night. Does your DS respond well to routine? I knew in my heart that my DS would learn quickly at 13 months. Here is what happened the first night:

6:30 p.m. bedtime reading and nursing
6:50 put him into his crib. He started crying immediately

7:00 first check in. He was crying hard.
7:10 second check in. He was crying hard.
7:16 stopped and went into a deep sleep.

9:45 dream fed him to help him last a little longer
1:30 a.m. woke up fussing and escalated into crying when he realized I wasn't coming

1:40 check in. He was crying moderately
1:46 went into a deep sleep

4:30 woke up fussing and escalated into crying when he realized I wasn't coming

4:36 went back to sleep

5:20 awake for the day.

I eventually stopped the 10 p.m. dream feed. Once he wasn't nursing all night, he nursed for a really long time in the first morning session.

I am so excited about your pregnancy. You need sleep, lady! Good luck and PM me with any questions.

mb314 · April 2014

Thanks! It is helpful to have that schedule!

URMySunshine77 · April 2014

How is your LO's sleep, @mb314? Were you able to use the Jay Gordon method? I hope that you are doing more sleep!

mb314 · April 2014

Thanks for asking @URMYSunshine77. I have modified the Jay Gordon Method by limiting/eliminating night nursing, but not necessarily in 3 days increments. We've cut out all but one middle of the night feeding, and we've cut out the morning feeding. DS is still nursing after his first middle of the night wake up, when I transfer him from his crib to our bed. He did really well with limiting and then cutting out the other 2 or 3 middle of the night feedings - there were just a few whines and then he would go back to sleep.

I think cutting out the first middle of the night feed will be hardest, but I'm going to tackle that within the next few days. I delayed cutting out that first middle of the night feeding because we were visiting the inlaws for Easter, and I didn't want to disturb the whole house if DS screams. Plus, I didn't want to make changes to his sleep routine when we were in another location.

Already, his sleep has improved. We're getting longer stretches before the first middle of the night wake up, and he is waking much less between the first wake up and the morning.

After the night weaning is complete, we'll tackle keeping DS in his crib and also him not being rocked to sleep every night. I do love co-sleeping, but with another baby on the way, I want DS to be in his own room all night when the baby arrives.

URMySunshine77 · April 2014

You are a great mom. I'm glad that it has gone pretty smoothly for you.

Take care of yourself, DS, and the little bean.

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