help re baby sleep (merged)

Petal_3

I know that a lot of people are not fans of controlled crying/sleep training but it worked for me. At 5 months our DS was waking up to 10 times a night, we were both working f/time and it was a nightmare. We decided that there was nothing to lose by trying. It took 3 nights - we both cried with guilt - but on the 3rd night he only cried for 10 mins. The next night he slept perfectly and has done ever since - he's now 5. He has always slept in his own bed - never with us.

Good Luck with whatever you decide to do

~x~

ooobedoo

I can totally relate to you at the moment, since DH has been home DD's routine is out of step. I have used 'Toddler Taming's controlled crying techinique, it fantastic, it really is, if used correctly it does work but you have to follow it to the letter.

I hope things work out for you xxxx

mishmash

Just wanted to let you know that you are not alone.

My youngest son did not sleep through until he went to school at 4, he is now 13 and is still in bed, funny how times change.

My little one (nearly 3) is still in my bed every night, it's the only way I get any sleep. I was never any good at the controll crying thing, I think I cried more than the little ones when I tried it. You just have to do what works for you.

Ages and stages eh!

Mish x

Scottish-Diva

Listen, A woman I work with had this problem for nearly2 years with her daughter.
Ended up she went to her gp and cried her eyes out before he could help her.
They can put you in touch with specialists who can help, just ask for the help. It's no fun for anyone and it sounds as though you really need a solution quickly, there are also books etc you can buy but go to your gp or healthvisitor and tell them to help......
Good luck

WestonDave

I can so feel for you - over Christmas DS2 was waking up a number of times every night and I struggle to get back to sleep having gone in to him so I was getting just a few hours a night. We had people staying and he shares a room with DS1 so we couldn't just let him cry it out, even tho it was fairly obvious that he wasn't in pain or hungry - he wouldn't really feed if offered and refused water.

I claim no expertise but we went through a night of hell on Saturday night getting up to him every 2 hours to stroke him back to sleep - no feeds offered, no nice cuddle in our bed while he had it, just sit with him and stroke his hair until he went back off. Last night on a hunch we put him in a much warmer sleepsuit thinking he might have been cold (he's in a grobag which is great but doesn't cover his arms). He chirped once about 10:30 but settled himself, and also woke up at about 3am but settled as soon as he was given back his bear snuggly thing which he'd lost.

Having spent yesterday feeling so tired I felt sick, I actually feel almost human today - we were both in bed by 8pm the last two nights.

I can't claim that what we did will work but rest assured you aren't alone and you certainly aren't abnormal in feeling like somekind of sleep deprived monster.

squibbs25

My dd sleeps with the radio on as the slightest noise disturbs her, We've done this since she was about 15 months.
Now she's 5 she has her favorite cd on while she settles down and falls asleep. I turn it down and put the radio back on later in the evening.
She also has a night light on too (plug in the wall thingie with a very dim light)
She sleeps fine now, but she is an early riser normally well awake by 6am.

kippers

Big hugs to you i know just how you feel. My two girls didn't sleep through the night until they were both at school and even then the eldest would wake up most nights as she had wet the bed right up until she turned 8 years old.

We also couldn't do the controlled crying thing and we had my youngest in bed with us loads as we were desparate for a few hours sleep (but i know the experts tell you not to do this)

Speak to your health visitor for re-assuranceand i'm sure she will tell you that some babies are really harder work than others and listen to the advice give in this thread. I'm worried about you.

Horace

I know that my parents used to put half a teaspoon of brandy in my milk at night - I slept right through although once they left me in the care of an older cousin but he didn't listen to the instructions properly and instead of half a teaspoon, I was given a dessertspoon of the stuff (I was quiet all day). Mind, it never did me any harm plus I now have an aversion to brandy. LOL.

Morglin

I used to leave a radio on my my poor sleeper (and a nightlight), which seemed to work - and controlled crying does work if you can stick with it.

Brandy was a "cure" but I expect it would be frowned upon now.......:rolleyes:

But, get some help from your GP or health visitor - it's miserable when they won't sleep.

Good luck.

Lin

fsdss

both my chiildren had problems waking during the night particularly at that age - once i'd checked there was nothing wrong then i left them to cry - this only lasted 2 nights and although very exhausting the problem was solved.
i know its extremely hard to listen to your baby crying - but i had to be cruel to be kind.
another tip is usually they wake up for a bottle of milk for comfort. i changed this to water so that there was no temptation to wake up.