Tips on getting 8 month old to sleep more...

Mrs_Imp

lilrahi wrote: »

Eldest who is 4, still sometimes wakes up crying in the night for no apparent reason. Sometimes he wakes up and he cries and cries and he won't even say what's the matter. Now I just sit by him and let him cry until he settles himself back to sleep.

That brings back memories. I used to wake up crying from about the same age. For me it was due to nightmares, but I couldn't articulate them to my parents so I couldn't tell them why I was crying. Just reassure him that you're there for him, and that if it was a bad dream it's all gone away now. My parents told me that if I had a bad dream and woke up I should tell the dream to go away and leave me alone. For me that helped.

daska

Leaving a baby to cry is an unpleasant and cruel solution to the problem of them not sleeping - of course they'll go to sleep eventually, distressed and exhausted, and of course they'll learn that crying doesn't get them any attention, but if there's an underlying cause that technique won't solve the problem of what's causing them to wake. All the naysayers insisted on lecturing me on how wrong I was getting it with DS1 with co-sleeping and how I'd have problems getting him to sleep through the night or in his own bed - they couldn't have been more wrong! And they did it again with DS2 but they were still wrong, he slept through from an early age and made his own choice to sleep independently. Conversely it's taken us four years to find out why DS2 has sleeping problems but I've again been proven right because we now know what the problem is (sensory dysfunction) and we can deal with it more effectively so that he is in less discomfort and is able to sleep.

A happy, relaxed child will sleep better than a stressed one. I'd suggest enjoying his company in the evening and matching his sleeping pattern to yours so that you get that core sleep yourselves - everything and everyone will feel very much better.

mildred1978

daska wrote: »

Leaving a baby to cry is an unpleasant and cruel solution to the problem of them not sleeping - of course they'll go to sleep eventually, distressed and exhausted, and of course they'll learn that crying doesn't get them any attention, but if there's an underlying cause that technique won't solve the problem of what's causing them to wake. All the naysayers insisted on lecturing me on how wrong I was getting it with DS1 with co-sleeping and how I'd have problems getting him to sleep through the night or in his own bed - they couldn't have been more wrong! And they did it again with DS2 but they were still wrong, he slept through from an early age and made his own choice to sleep independently. Conversely it's taken us four years to find out why DS2 has sleeping problems but I've again been proven right because we now know what the problem is (sensory dysfunction) and we can deal with it more effectively so that he is in less discomfort and is able to sleep.

A happy, relaxed child will sleep better than a stressed one. I'd suggest enjoying his company in the evening and matching his sleeping pattern to yours so that you get that core sleep yourselves - everything and everyone will feel very much better.

Wonderful post :T

mokba43

hahahahaha i give up!

I insist, and quote from my last post:

'Im no expert!!! But i have been working with kids for years!!! And (touch wood) this has never failed me.'

The original poster asked for opinions and help. Didn't quite realised this was a 'let's discuss what is right or wrong about your suggestions' thread.

...and by the way, i have never "cured" any babies, but have helped them achieve a better and restful sleep, and *shock horror* i get praise and pay for it!!!!...... (which you would expect after years of studying, training and experience...)

Let the original poster take whichever advice she can and use what is best for her, let's not forget this is all about personal preferences and experiences and not about what we personally think it is right or wrong according to our beliefs.

mildred1978

mokba43 wrote: »

Let the original poster take whichever advice she can and use what is best for her, let's not forget this is all about personal preferences and experiences and not about what we personally think it is right or wrong according to our beliefs.

The OP is male. All that 'training' didn't make you very observant, did it?!

mokba43

who has said that he is telling the misses if i recall. You know, you are not playing very nicely

Doglover

Hi, I've read with interest as I have a similiar problem. OP I'd be interested which suggestions you've followed and if any have helped.

My boy is younger, only 4.5 months so food is no good for me yet but tonight I've tried putting him down later. Usually he takes another bottle by dream feed around 10 so tonight I'm hoping that as I stretched his last feed out that he'll go to 11. Then usually he wakes at 2 for a feed but then wakes for the day around 4-5. Im hoping that'll push back too! Fingers crossed and good luck op!

mildred1978

mokba43 wrote: »

who has said that he is telling the misses if i recall. You know, you are not playing very nicely

Don't you have crying babies to ignore?

mokba43

Im ignoring them as i type, did you not read my post :P

Gillyx

My mum used controlled crying with me, and I've turned out fine, as did most of the mums of my age group. I don't feel neglected, or feel it has hindered me in anyway whatsoever. I've been independent and self sufficient from a young age and not mollycoddled at all by my parents. I was never left to get myself into a state where I'd be banging my head off cots etc, but self soothing did work. Obviously it's not for everyone, but it can work.