Ok, here's a big one!! I know many of you have lots of opinions so I would love to hear them.
With my first I was able to get him to sleep through the night at 6 months. He cried for little bit for 2 nights and that was it. He was the big sleeper, loved naps and always sleeps good at night.
Now, with my second, he is a totally different story! He loves to sleep, but it has always been a struggle since he was 2 weeks old. We've moved 4 times since he was born, so I know that hasn't helped with him sleeping well. We've tried to get him to cry it out a couple nights, two different times now. It just doesn't seem to stick. For some reason too, his cry affects be differently then my first kid too. I seem to be weaker, in letting him cry. This lead me to do some research about helping kids sleep. I discovered the "no cry sleep method" and while I do think it could work, I'm not going to nurse my kid for the next several months. I would like to be done in 2 months, which means I need to start the weaning process now. I can't just rub his back or talk to him, it makes it worse. I either have to ignore him, or pick him up. Sometimes he will cuddle and go back to sleep, other times I have to nurse him to go back to sleep.
So, this is my dilemma and thoughts. Yours?
Well I only have one so I can only give our experience. Rhett was a tough one to night wean and at the time I was working full time so I desperately needed to be able to sleep. So with the advice of Rhett's pediatrician, we night weaned at 5 months. It was really hard for me to hear him cry at 2 in the morning. I sometimes gave in, but then my husband and I figured out how to stay asleep through his crying/screaming bloody murder at 2. We put blankets and pillows in front of his door and ours. And then we had music going really quietly all night long in our bedroom. I have to say it was the hardest 2 weeks for me to not go get him, but now I am so grateful to have him safely and quietly in his bed from 8 pm-8 am at 17 months.
ReplyDeleteCrying to sleep and fussing is totally different. Crying is from pain or hunger...fussing is complaining. I feed them, play with them to get the bubbles out them put them back to bed. They fuss but soon learn that it's night time and I won't come in and get them. During the day I keep a pretty good routine. I wake them up from naps so that they don't get out of the routine so that they WILL sleep at night. I do not wake them up to eat at night. Eat, play, sleep. I do not assist my babies to sleep with rocking, nursing etc. Just swaddling. I got some of the ideas from Babywise but I don't agree with the whole book so be careful what you read. Both of my kids sleep all night and nap although one loves it and the other doesn't. They know they have to. Good luck!!
ReplyDeleteI am with Brittany about crying and fussing. I, personally, don't like having a baby cry himself to sleep. It's emotionally draining on both, and totally unnecessary. (You have to live with it, he won't remember, but YOU will. )
ReplyDeleteSo, a couple ideas. Does he sleep better during the day at nap time? If so, maybe he needs a night light so that there is a little light in the room to keep him company. Reverse this if he appears to sleep better in the dark, make the room completely dark.
Also, Eithan does better going to bed when he sees us going to bed. Are you going to bed at the same time as your little ones? Have them see you brushing your teeth, getting into PJs, and if necessary... getting into bed. If they know it's your bedtime too, perhaps this will help.
Other thoughts-- Don't NURSE to sleep. This is a really bad habit for him and you. If you do it too often, he won't be able to go to sleep without eating/drinking. And you know from all our health classes how bad that is. (Also, realize that nursing is a form of comfort, so he needs comfort for something. What is that something? Is he uncomfortable? Is he too hot... is he too cold... does he have too many blankets and is burdened down by them??? Think about all the things that make you uncomfortable, and apply them to him.
Ok- I said a lot. Hopefully something someone says will help out. And hopefully I wasn't too "preachy". I'm bad about that.
Love ya girl!
First of all, what a great idea for a blog! I love it! In this crazy life of motherhood I can use all the help I can get.
ReplyDeleteI don't have any real suggestions with sleeping through the night, except routine. Having a consistent routine seems to help our little ones. We change diapers, get in pjs, read from the illustrated scriptures, sing the same 3 songs, and say family prayer followed by hugs and kisses.
The one thing I have learned is that every child is different. What works for one doesn't always work for another. That's what keeps us mother's on our toes we are always adapting.
As with just about everything to do with parenting CONSISTENCY decide on what works for you and hold to it consistently!
ReplyDeleteI have really enjoyed reading the book Healthy Sleep Habit, Happy Child. I went with the "fuss/cry it out" method and that seemed to work for us. Within a few days of that, he realized he didn't need his nighttime feeding and slept straight through. For us, it has worked really well. I also have had great success with the "bedtime routine". When I start to notice he is more fussy, I get him to the bath and let him play for about 10 minutes. Change him into PJ's and feed bottle and put him in bed even if he is still awake. He has grown to really love his bed, which is excellent for me. Good luck! I agree with the consistency comment. Always helps!
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