The SleepEasy Thread

lauren8384 · December 2014

@nunzchucks‌ he's such a content baby that it's so hard to tell when he's sleepy. So, my judgement is off!! I'm sure I wait too long, I guess we will try to start going down earlier, and playing with the times.

AbbySeiden · December 2014

So evening sleep training is done. He's wonderful and often sleeps the full 12 hours. Not suck, mostly only 20 minutes. I've been half ass nap training, he's in daycare so mostly only on the weekends. I do a nap routine and put him down a week, to check inns when he's crying and make him stay in the crib the full hour even if he's awake. When I'm off for Christmas break into weeks I'm going to do some real map training with him but I have a question about his schedule. He can definitely handle a week times of 2.5 to 3 hours, but he also eats every three hours. He usually eats at 7:30, 10:30, 1:30, 430, and again at 7:30 PM. Since he's mostly bottle-fed with BM, I'm not sure how the whole snack thing before nap would work out. What do you suggest for her nap schedule? Also since he will be six months next week and hates nap so much maybe you were ready to only have two naps today? Which I wouldn't mind if he would simply nap for more than 20 minutes!

lynkat · December 2014

Thanks @ugabamafans‌ and @lest12‌ . I don't know if there is another growth spurt at 6 months or what but my DS has been eating a lot more at daycare, even without night weaning! I think I will continue to night nurse for now and maybe once he is eating solids during the day too I can play around with weaning those feedings. My body responds to the pump well but I definitely don't get near the same output as nursing. I appreciate all the feedback ladies! This thread is a lifesaver.

babygabe614 · December 2014

OK, I don't know how to ask this without sounding like a total douche so I'm just going to ask. Right now, DD goes down pretty easy around 7 (last night she fussed a bit more than usual so it ended up being about 730 by the time she was really down for the night) and sleeps 9-10 hours and usually wakes for a bottle and diaper change at 4-430, and is back out until around 630. Her naps are sort of consistent during the week according to my mom, who watches her, though they are a mess on weekends when it's just me and DH. DH is insisting we need to sleep train. I do honestly feel that DD would be more well rested with consistent sleep, skipping that midnight feeding (she is over 5 mo and 18ish lbs so it's not needed) and especially getting those naps down to a science. But I feel bad forcing her to cry and all that when we really don't have it "that bad" in comparison to many of the stories I've read on this thread. I guess I am just conflicted and wondering if anyone else felt similarly before they started, and still felt like it was worth it to train if their starting point wasn't totally sleepless nights? I know this sounds like I am throwing a pity party for myself and my decent-sleeping baby, but I really just don't know what is the right decision for us all and am looking for some input.

nunzchucks · December 2014

@babygabe614 It's really up to you. I personally thrive on a consistent schedule so the predictability this brought to my life was worth it. Now that DS has consistent, good naps, he is happier.

babygabe614 · December 2014

@nunzchucks The consistency is where we are lacking for sure. Especially with the nap part. I guess I just feel like she could maybe work the nighttime part out on her own since she only has one wakeup right now (aside from when actively teething, then it can be two) but I feel a lot of pressure from DH to night train because he's the one typically getting up with her. Maybe this is more of a conversation I need to have with him, but I feel like we've beaten it into the ground and don't really see eye to eye on it. I do see the benefits of sleep training but I guess I'm scared of the process.

amackattack · December 2014

@babygabe614 I'm not doing Sleep Easy but have been following along. Could you try to wean the night feeding by waking her up an hour early and feeding less and less over time? That wouldn't involve the CIO slightly scary portion of sleep training but might solve your problem, no?

Then you could decide whether you want to nap train or not.

AbbySeiden · December 2014

@babygabe614‌ your LOL sounds just like mine. He used to only wake up one time per night to eat and then right back to bed. But we decided to sleep train because we felt that it would be good for him to be able to soothe himself. Also we wanted to do it before he was too old and it would be harder. I think because he was already a good sleeper the sleep training went pretty easily. We had one rough night and that was about it.

katekat8721 · December 2014

@babygabe614‌ you're not a douche lol.

We didn't have it that bad either. S slept through the night. V woke up 5-7 times a night but she went down easy. Our issue was that we needed consistency and a schedule we could stick by, especially with two babies! They weren't napping at the same time so there was never a break. EVER. It was insanity. Then when V was getting up just to play in the MOTN... heck no.

Now we have a schedule and life is great lol. The crying sucks, but because they weren't "that bad" to start off with, the crying wasn't that bad either. You'll hear a difference too with their crying. At first it may be "I'm crying because I'm overtired and I don't feel well and where are you mommy?!" crying, and that is the worst! But eventually you'll hear the "omg she wants me to sleep, she did the stupid routine and sang the night night song and wtf doesn't she know I wanna play!" crying. Not surprisingly, that crying is a lot easier to deal with

babygabe614 · December 2014

@amackattack I think that is a good way to start. Maybe just wean her first and see how that affects her sleep. It might just be the "habit" of getting up for that bottle that is causing the one wakeup... good advice!!

@AbbySeiden You make a good point about being able to self soothe. I do notice her struggling to do that sometimes, and it's a skill I want to help her develop sooner rather than later (i.e. during the one wakeup sometimes she will be on her back and rock back and forth frantically and it makes her cry harder. Other times she realizes once she flips onto her belly she's right back asleep. But right now she can't seem to differentiate). We have a "routine" so to speak but I think it differs between DH & I a little, so it would help for us to focus on honing in that part, too.

@katekat8721 I can't even imagine trying to handle two nighttime schedules at once. You are a flippin rockstar! Good to know about the different "types" of crying... hopefully it'll be more of the latter than the real, heartbreaking stuff.

Thanks for listening, you guys, and understanding where I'm coming from. I've been hesitant to make that post but truly appreciate how well it was received and the awesome advice you have given me. You guys rock.

kriati03 · December 2014

@babygabe614‌ I'm glad you asked the question bc I'm in a similar situation. Sleep is pretty good but not consistent and LO isn't able to always self soothe. I guess just have to weigh the risks and benefits! Love to hear if you do decide to do it in the end.

KatCameBack · December 2014

@babygabe614 Also in exactly in the same place you are with your LO! I have been slowly lowering the volume on the MOTN feed. Currently at three ounces and hoping to be at zero by New Year. Naps are pretty good at home but at daycare (3 days a week) he is a cat napper. Basically, any interruption in the schedule means napping chaos

lola4411 · December 2014

hey ladies, i have made it 3 nights! it has been both awesome and rough lol. the last 2 nights he went down at 7:30 with very little crying. it was so amazing to see! i am so grateful for this method and this thread for giving me the courage to do it

ok, i have some weaning questions. i have 2 times to wean at night. the first is at 12:30 and that has gone well. i fed for 8, 6 and 5 minutes last night. he goes back down slightly awake and only cries for a minute or two. the second wean is at 3:15 and it has been super rough! the past two nights i have missed the time because i turned off my alarm in my sleep and baby boy woke up before i could get in there! he cried for 45 mins before he went back to sleep and then i went in to do the feed. i know this is my fault, but does anyone have any tips? should i move the 2nd wean feed up earlier to avoid waking him? or just make sure i get my butt out of bed lol?

cece673 · December 2014

babygabe614: this was our issue too. DS has always been a good sleeper but he was so inconsistent. STTN for a week, then waking every night for a week, repeat. Naps were awesome for a while, then crappy, then awesome, repeat. I started STing earlier this week because I never knew when/if he would start to cry and I also never knew how I would deal with it. Would I feed? Rock? Pacifier? It caused a lot of anxiety. I think bc he was already a pretty good sleeper STing at night was really not bad. He only cried for 9 min, 2x the first night. Second night he cried less than 5. Third night he STTN. So I encourage you to give it a try if consistency is what you're looking for! I agree with the others that you should try and wean her from the feeding first, however, in an effort to maybe eliminate a need for any crying at all. Good luck!

babygabe614 · December 2014

@cece673 That is great advice, and thank you for sharing your similar experience with me.

I talked to DH last night and we agreed that consistency is what we all need so we will move forward with weaning and sleep training once we get the white noise set up, which should be done tonight. I hope to start this by Saturday if not earlier, because we want to make some progress before we have my stepson next weekend.

nunzchucks · December 2014

@lola4411 It's ok. Just tonight, do what it takes to get up. Set two alarms. How about one across the room so you have to get out of bed to turn it off?

flojo973 · December 2014

We keep pushing sleep training back due to sickness but hopefully we can start soon. I have a question though. We have a semi-consistent nighttime routine - dim lights, quiet play, sometimes bath, diaper change, song, bottle and bed. But in the book it says to do the routine in the nursery. And it also says not to use a sleepsack. So would it be confusing to all of the sudden start doing the routine in the nursery and putting pajamas on instead of a sleepsack??

@nunzchucks tagging you since you are the expert

nunzchucks · December 2014

@flojo973 Hmm...I don't remember where they say no sleep sack. They do say no swaddle. Is that what you're reading? Sleep sacks are fine. My 2 year old JUST graduated to real blankets 2 months ago.

As far as your bedtime routine goes, it's really up to you. Do you not do bedtime bottle in LO's room? I would maybe consider at least doing the end of your routine in the room so it's not a big transition to go from the living room/parent's room (or wherever) to crib. I feel like after nursing, DS would get riled up again if I had to climb a set of stairs to put him down.

lola4411 · December 2014

thanks @nunzchucks ! good advice on two alarms and one being across the room.

Jenn111211 · December 2014

flojo973 said:
We keep pushing sleep training back due to sickness but hopefully we can start soon. I have a question though. We have a semi-consistent nighttime routine - dim lights, quiet play, sometimes bath, diaper change, song, bottle and bed. But in the book it says to do the routine in the nursery. And it also says not to use a sleepsack. So would it be confusing to all of the sudden start doing the routine in the nursery and putting pajamas on instead of a sleepsack??

@nunzchucks tagging you since you are the expert

We don't do the bedtime routine in the nursery because there is not enough room for the rocker. It hasn't been a problem. Our living room is right next to her room though and we don't have any other kids or distractions.

TunieBee · December 2014

Maybe you ladies can help...my LO sleep 7pm-7:30 am. HOWEVER I feed him when he cries/stirs between 5-6 am. I'm afraid if I don't feed him at this time he'll just decide it's time to get up for the day. Thoughts?

Jazznit1984 · December 2014

@mrsmountainmama‌ they will be fine. My LO used to routinely wake up at that time. We weaned the feeding and so far she's been great minus a cold. But a week later and she right back into sleeping through the night.

nunzchucks · December 2014

@mrsmountainmama‌ if you're following the book 7-6 is 11 hours in the crib and a perfectly acceptable time to wake. 7-7:30 is 12.5 hrs and too long. Book says between 11 and 12 hrs of sleep.

flojo973 · December 2014

Thanks! We do the bottle in her nursery before bed so maybe I'll keep our routine the same.

@nunzchucks - it says on page 24 that they prefer pajamas over sleep sacks which can frustrate mobile babies whose legs become entangled once they start to roll. I think I'm trying to find every little thing that might be the problem with our sleep issues!

@KrystaJ - I think I'm going to keep using the sleep sack. I feel the same way - like she knows that when we put it on its time for bed.

amackattack · December 2014

ETA: Posted question in wrong thread.

flojo973 · December 2014

@amackattack - the handout from our pedi said 7 months but I personally don't think its a big deal to give it sooner.

lola4411 · December 2014

hey ladies, i have another question

if baby boy has been in his crib for 11.5-12 hrs and is a bit whiny and crying a little, do i do check -ins or can i pick him up then? or, do i just make sure to get him before this starts even though he might be sleeping? thanks!

TunieBee · December 2014

@nunzchucks‌ I know...but I loooove the extra 90 minutes of sleep. Just out of curiosity, what is the reasoning behind not letting them sleep more than 12 hours?

cinnamonsmiles · December 2014

KrystaJ said:

@flojo973 - We still use a sleep sack (over pajamas). I don't think she'd be warm enough if we didn't use one. I also think it helps her for naps since she understands that she's supposed to go to sleep when she has it on (finally).

Agreed on the sleepsack. That's more of his cue that it's nap/bedtime than anything else we do. LO has been wearing a sack since he came home and has never gotten "entangled". Now he rolls an crawls all over his crib with it on, so I don't see why it would be any issue.

It's also nice because I can see on the monitor if he's mad in his crib from trying to roll over vs actually up at night from the sack moving

nunzchucks · December 2014

lola4411 said:
hey ladies, i have another question

if baby boy has been in his crib for 11.5-12 hrs and is a bit whiny and crying a little, do i do check -ins or can i pick him up then? or, do i just make sure to get him before this starts even though he might be sleeping? thanks!

@lola4411‌ He only need to be in there for 11 hrs so as long as that mark has passed, start your day!

lola4411 · December 2014

thanks AGAIN @nunzchucks

this method is totally working for us. we are seeing the light at the end of the tunnel!

nunzchucks · December 2014

CAMag said:
Post-illness CIO= torture. Both boys have been crying on and off for 40mins. It feels like we are starting from scratch.

Yuck. I hope it passes soon!

TunieBee · December 2014

Ugh. I'm sorry. We're in the same boat. Post traveling and sickness. I'm hating myself right now

TunieBee · December 2014

I'm in desperate need of moral support. LO has been crying HARD for 45 minutes. We are re-training after travel, illness, etc. It was never this bad at first and this is killing me.

augustusgoose · December 2014

mrsmountainmama said:
I'm in desperate need of moral support. LO has been crying HARD for 45 minutes. We are re-training after travel, illness, etc. It was never this bad at first and this is killing me.

Sorry you are going through this. Was it to early for bed time? Is LO adjusted to a later bed time. How were naps, could LO be over tired? Hang in there. Can hubby take over and you go drive somewhere for chocolate and wine?

TunieBee · December 2014

augustusgoose said:

mrsmountainmama said:
I'm in desperate need of moral support. LO has been crying HARD for 45 minutes. We are re-training after travel, illness, etc. It was never this bad at first and this is killing me.
Sorry you are going through this. Was it to early for bed time? Is LO adjusted to a later bed time. How were naps, could LO be over tired? Hang in there. Can hubby take over and you go drive somewhere for chocolate and wine?

Thank you. It was at 3:30 in the morning! I don't know what was going on. He has good naps and a fairly normal bedtime (about a half hour earlier than normal). He's now lying in his crib hiccuping after 90 minutes if crying. I seriously feel like the worst mother in the world and want to give up on the whole thing.

augustusgoose · December 2014

I understand that feeling, it's against every cell in our body to let our LO cry. A natural instinct to comfort, just remember that it's for the best. A few days will benefit everyone for the long run! Plus he's not in pain and won't remember. Maybe wait a day or two, my LO regressed for a few days. He was up every couple hours, turned out that he was having a tooth break through. Now he's back to 'normal'. You are not a bad mom.

SarahS11 · December 2014

Anyone else feel like after sleep training they are getting less sleep? I'm sick anyways so I feel terrible and I'm sure that's part of my exhausted feeling right now, but ever since training DD, she wakes up like clockwork at 3 am to have her morning chat with herself. Then sometimes she does this every hour for the rest of the morning. The 3 am chat is usually the longest (sometimes 45 minutes). No matter how low the monitor is turned down, I'm up the entire time. I'm so exhausted today.

nunzchucks · December 2014

SarahS11 said:

Anyone else feel like after sleep training they are getting less sleep? I'm sick anyways so I feel terrible and I'm sure that's part of my exhausted feeling right now, but ever since training DD, she wakes up like clockwork at 3 am to have her morning chat with herself. Then sometimes she does this every hour for the rest of the morning. The 3 am chat is usually the longest (sometimes 45 minutes). No matter how low the monitor is turned down, I'm up the entire time. I'm so exhausted today.

DS did this for two straight months. It's subsiding now. He's mostly up around 4/4:30 and then on and off sleeping. Our issue is that he's pooping around 4AM.

TunieBee · December 2014

@augustusgoose‌ thank you so much! Things definitely seem better in the light of day. Hopefully tonight will be better. Almost two hours is a long time of crying!

Want a personalized experience?

The SleepEasy Thread

Re: The SleepEasy Thread

Choose Another Board

Search Boards