Can some BTDT Moms help me figure out what Sleep Training method I should do?

I have been optimistically hoping that once I get the naps in order, nighttime sleep would fall into place. I don't think that's happening though-- but I will give it another week or so.

The naps have been working-- although, getting them more scheduled may be far away. BUT, I am getting her to go to sleep, rather quickly, on her own and in the crib. The naps are not as good over the weekend when DH is home. Something about this change makes it harder to get her to go down. But that's another issue.

At night, well-- this is the problem. We put her to bed anywhere b/t 6:15 and 6:45-- depending on her last nap, how tired she is, etc. She falls asleep no problem on her own, and pretty quickly. This has been since Day 1 pretty much.

She was waking up once to eat, and sleeping til like 6 30/7. Now for the last month and a half, she is waking up twice. We have recently employed a soothing strategy-- so we are not so quick to feed. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. Last night for example she woke up at 4, and I soothed her back to sleep without picking her up. At 4 30, she woke up again and I just fed her in order to get her to sleep longer.

Sat night she woke up like FIVE times-- she ate twice, and the other times I was able to soothe her back to sleep-- sometimes having to pick her up.

So, what to do when you have a baby who is completely capable of falling asleep on their own, and who used to STTN. I HATE hearing her cry, and I cannot imagine doing CIO. I think the Ferber method might be the best, but she may get more hysterical if we keep going in.

I will also say that when DH does the bottle, she basically doesn't get it for about 10 mins if you count him getting out of bed, warming the bottle, etc. She doesn't let up-- and maybe gets worse.

Re: Can some BTDT Moms help me figure out what Sleep Training method I should do?

I have tried it ALL (and maybe I'm not the best person to ask because my DD still has sleep issues), but the only thing I have really found to help (even at her age!) is the CIO method (ferber).

Re: Can some BTDT Moms help me figure out what Sleep Training method I should do?

How old is your DD?
Could teething be a possibility?

Honestly, the only thing that worked for us once my DS hit a year old was CIO.
Hes almost 2 and 1/2 now and I still am thankful we used that method! It doesn't work for everyone, yes, its hard, but, a year later I am still so thankful we did it!
We will do it in the future with DD if needed.

Re: Can some BTDT Moms help me figure out what Sleep Training method I should do?

Re: Can some BTDT Moms help me figure out what Sleep Training method I should do?

I was going through the exact same thing. DS was waking so much at night and I didn't know what to do for him anymore. Finally I gave him a lovey and he was able to self soothe with that. I have since taken away the lovey and I give him a burp cloth to use as a security blanket instead (figured these are easier to replace should we ever misplace his lovey). It has been a LIFE SAVER. He will wake up still at night and I see him moving around on the monitor but he goes back to sleep by rubbing the burp cloth against his face or just holding on to it. Not going to promise anything but worth a try. Good luck!

Re: Can some BTDT Moms help me figure out what Sleep Training method I should do?

Posted by Ladybug3

I was going through the exact same thing. DS was waking so much at night and I didn't know what to do for him anymore. Finally I gave him a lovey and he was able to self soothe with that. I have since taken away the lovey and I give him a burp cloth to use as a security blanket instead (figured these are easier to replace should we ever misplace his lovey). It has been a LIFE SAVER. He will wake up still at night and I see him moving around on the monitor but he goes back to sleep by rubbing the burp cloth against his face or just holding on to it. Not going to promise anything but worth a try. Good luck!

Re: Can some BTDT Moms help me figure out what Sleep Training method I should do?

I have no advice because I am going through the same exact thing with my 4 1/2 month old. Naps are def. better during the week and I feel like she always gets out of wack on the weekend. You are def. not alone and hopefully we will both get some answers from all of the great BTDT moms!

I could not imagine letting her CIO, but it might get to that if all else fails. I have been trying to soothe without picking her up. She will fall asleep but awaken 15-30 min later and then she will only calm down when I BF her.

Re: Can some BTDT Moms help me figure out what Sleep Training method I should do?

Message edited 6/22/2009 9:39:58 AM.

Re: Can some BTDT Moms help me figure out what Sleep Training method I should do?

Another thought - did you read "Healthy sleep habits, Happy Baby" It's a great, very helpful book!

Re: Can some BTDT Moms help me figure out what Sleep Training method I should do?

Posted by headoverheels

Posted by randella

So, what to do when you have a baby who is completely capable of falling asleep on their own, and who used to STTN. I HATE hearing her cry, and I cannot imagine doing CIO. I think the Ferber method might be the best, but she may get more hysterical if we keep going in.

this says it all for me.

no mommy likes to hear their child cry but in your case i think you need to do straight CIO.

we did this with DS at 5 months and it worked SO well.

any time i went into his room it only made things worse.

i promise, she will not remember crying in the morning!

and if you are worried she might actually be hungry, i would gradually increase the amount of food she gets during the day. but if she only needed to eat once and now she is getting up twice (or more!) that is for attention, not hunger.

good luck

ETA: randi i just wanted to say that we went through this EXACT same thing from 4-5 months (seriously, search for my old posts ) and as soon as DS was 5 months old we decided to do CIO.

best decision ever.

Message edited 6/22/2009 9:47:42 AM.