Ferberizing a 15 month old - can anyone help me?

[Jessiesmama]

I know there's a thread going on Ferber now but it seems most of the babies are under a year. I need to ST my 15 month old and am terrified.

Here’s the history:
She STTN from 4 weeks until 4-4 1/2 months (right around the time I returned to work). She started waking in the middle of the night. At bed time, I feed her/rock her to sleep, wait until she falls into a deep sleep (if not she screams), put her in the crib around 9:15 and (the whole night-night routine from bottle to bed takes about 1.5 hours) then wait.... she wakes anywhere between midnight and 4am. I bring her into bed with us and give her water. She has to crawl right on top of me to fall asleep (otherwise she cries). I wait until she's asleep and try to put her on her own pillow - this works sometimes - other times - not so much. She has been known to wake 3-4 times a night. I could have her laying across me for an hour (or more) a night. Needless to day, I'm beat.

She just popped her 4th molar and is not teething right now. She’s feeling well and I think now’s the time to do this.

I've read 4 sleep books - tried a lot of no-cry solutions and nothing has really helped. I think it's time to go Ferber. But is it too late? She's 15 months and very willful. I can imagine her screaming for days!

I'm going to start tomorrow night (I'm off Thursday so worst case scenario - I go to work Friday exhausted - but then have the weekend to continue the ST effort).

So I have some questions:
1. I feed DD to sleep with a milk bottle. Should I move the milk bottle earlier so that she is not asleep - then put her down in the crib?

2. My coming into the room will probable not calm DD (although I will do it as the book recommends) - I know you can't pick her up but can you lay her back down? This will probably make my DD scream louder (me coming in and not taking her). Is there any tips on handling that?

3. Mom watches SS during the day while I work. Does mom have to do the Ferber plan for naps? Right now she takes one nap – usually around 1 hour to 1 hour 15 min. either in the car or in my mom’s arms….. I know…. We ruined her! Does mom have to ST during the day also for this to work?

4. Has anyone successfully ST'd a child over a year?

I'm very nervous about this. I hope I can do it. Any advice that anyone has is welcome!

[magdesilver]

First, I think you are putting your DD to sleep much too late and your nighttime routine is much too long. Have you read Weissbluth? He offers 3 methods for sleep training, ranging from "exctinction" (cold turkey), graduated extinction (basically ferber) and a no cio solution (can't remember the name). For my DD, and we did this months ago, we had to use extinction. She would just get really PO'd if we kept going into her room to calm her. I would move the milk bottle to earlier in the routine, for 1 to break the habit of feeding to sleep, and for 2 because it can cause tooth decay. I would do a bath, then bottle (I will say that my DD does not have any food after dinner until the next morning and she is fine, so you could cut it out entirely). Then brush teeth, then rock and read a story or sing a song, then into bed. You want her to go to bed awake and get herself to sleep. The first few nights she will cry, but it sounds like you are ready for it. You MUST be consistent. Do not go in there or give in and bring a bottle, etc. or you will be backpedaling. Give it 2 weeks and stick with it! It is very hard to hear your little one cry but they are so much more well rested. My 16 month old is in bed by 7:00 every night and sleeps until around 7:30 a.m. each day, sometimes later, with a 2 hour nap midday. All I do is rock her for 5-10 minutes with a song, then it's into her crib awake with her aquarium and she goes to bed on her own for the entire night. It's heavenly!
I would cut out the middle of the night water, bringing her into bed with you, etc. if you don't want to continue them. I'd work on nighttime sleep right now and not deal with naps until the nights are in order.
Get a copy of healthy sleep habits, happy child by weissbluth if you haven't read it yet. Great resource!

[Traciann]

I did ferber at a younger age, but i will respond to your requstions on how i would handle your situation.

1. I would move the milk to early...with dinner would be best. object of ferber is for dc to learn to put themselves to sleep. so in your case i would move it sooner than bedtime, and maybe not give it to her in the same place you would normally give it to her. does that make sense...so she does not connect the bottle with bedtime.

2. its up to you if you want to return to her...In the beginning I did the timed intervals, but sometimes I could tell it was only making her more angry, so I waited longer or just didn't go back in. I think if you wanted to lay her back down you could, I would just not remove her from her crib. talk to her soothingly...kiss her, tell her you love her, and leave the room. the first couple of days are the hardest, then it gets easier. I think that dd will fight you because she is older and more set into her routine, but i would continue to be consitant and you will get through it.

3. I would wait on ferber for naps for now, and let you mom get her down like she is. What happened for us is that once her nighttime settled down, her naps fell into place. Once you are successful with night times for a week or two, you could try naps. 1 1/2 naps seems pretty short. is that her only nap?

4. we started at 5 months

It was was very hard for me in the beginning to do this, but my dh said that we are giving our daughter the gift of being able to put herself to sleep. Which sounds corny, but its true. DD goes to bed great for us for naps/bedtime, and just as easily for our parents and babysitters.

HTH! Traci

[cr8zyforaf]

I didn't ferberize because I only skimmed through the books, but here is what worked for my 12 month old (and believe me, she is also strong willed - I tried CIO months ago and she screamed for hours). I will try to put my routine into your questions.

1. I give DD a bottle around 7:30-7:45 - this is when she starts to give me signals that she is tired. Routine is bath, book, and then bottle..I turn of the lights so that only her nightlight is lit and then I quietly tell her it is night night time..she stays away while drinking...I rock her for a bit, telling her I love her and it is night night time..she is usally very drowsy...I put her down in the crib on her tummy ( she sleeps on her stomach) and keep my hand on her butt or leg..I will shush and tell her night night time. Then, I leave the room - at first she cried (never longer than 15 minutes which AMAZED ME) and now most nights, she will make a little whimper but she puts herself out. On the nights she cried - I would just go outside for 15 minutes. On the nights that she does scream longer - I will go back in, lay her back down and repeat my sayings. I NEVER pick her back up once she is in the crib unless she is frantic and I know she is beyond the point of calming herself down.

2. It is up to you as far as coming back in - this just upset DD even more - so I don't go back in unless the screaming and crying is getting more frantic. Usually if this happens, it means I've put her into the crib too soon...sometimes I do have to pick her back up and calm her down.

3. DD is at daycare and they probably rock her or feed her down - I just focus on night time sleep..also, I've started putting her down awake at home for naps on the weekends - it works sometimes..but sometimes, it doesn't.

4. DD is just now a year and we've only been doing this for 3 weeks - and I will say, 100% improvement - and I never thought it would work. It is VERY hard and I feel bad about it - but totally agree with Traci - I am teaching my DD to put herself to sleep. Now, we still have bad nights but for the most part, things are getting better.

Try to be as consistent as possible - I've stopped putting her in bed with me just because it is inconsistent with what I am trying to teach her...yes, it would be easier but I know long term..I am better off trying to stand my ground.

[Jessiesmama]

Now when she wakes in the middle of the night I just repeat the same pattern - go in, check, lay her down and leave - right? Then check on her in intervals if that doesn't make matters worse.

I'm so scared. I feel like I had a naturally good sleeper - and I undid it with the feeding/rocking to sleep, bringing her in the bed, night bottles, etc. I never taught her to self soothe. Now I have to make her suffer for it. :(

Our routine is a little hectic because I work 1.5 hours from home. I pick her up from my mom's 4 x's a week at 7:00pm - by the time I get her home it's 7:30. We change into PJ's and fresh diaper, brush teeth, turn all the lights out, and I hold her on the couch with her favorite blankie until she is asleep. That's why the last bottle doesn't start until 8:00pm.

She gets her bath at 5 and dinner at 6. I could have mom give her her milk bottle after dinner and then trade the last bottle for a book and cuddling when we get home. Do you think that would work?

I'm so scared!

[magdesilver]

I would say that you should have her do the last bottle after dinner at your mom's, then when you get home, put her in her pj's, rock her for a few minutes, and then get her in her crib by 8:00. She doesn't need to have fallen asleep by 8:00- and obviously the first few nights, she will be crying a bit so it will take a while for her to get to sleep, but I would get her into her crib by 8. I know it's hard with working and you want to spend time with her, but I really think and earlier bedtime will help you both in the long run, especially if you have to wake her early to get her to your mom's house. In the middle of the night I would go in, check on her and make sure she's okay, don't pick up, and leave. You can lay her down that one time but I find that my DD was able to lay herself down on her own just fine, she didn't need me to do that for her and definitely doesn't need it at 16 months, kwim? I got a video monitor so that I could see what she was doing, since going in there and checking on her often disrupted her getting herself back to sleep.

[Jessiesmama]

Thanks Magdesilver
Tonight's the night. I told my mom that I would do baths from now on. I'll give her the last bottle in the car on the way home, get her home - then she'll have a bath, pj's, book, 3-5 min of rocking and in the crib by 8. Does that sound reasonable? I know it's going to be a torturous few days...

Also, she doesn't wake early for mom's house as DH works form home so he gets up with her when she wakes in the morning (usually between 6:30 and 7:30) and changes, feeds and dresses her - then mom comes around 9:30 to pick her up. So no issues with the morning. But I agree - 8:00 has to be it.

[Jessiesmama]

Any last minute advice? I'm starting tonight! :eek:

[Sebski]

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[jrdhbunny]

Just wondering how it went! We're in a very similar boat with 16 month old DS- I'm still working up the courage to do it. I did manage to get him to fall asleep for his nap today after almost 2 hours of crying and soothing, but really want to make it happen at night. Here are my goals:

1) Get a bedtime routine firmly established. Dinner, bath, story, quiet time/lullabies/bed

2) Cut out the nighttime bottle

3) Move bedtime earlier (right now it's anywhere from 9-10 p.m.)

4) Put down in crib awake

We're nervous because we're in an apartment and don't want to disturb our neighbors, but we've got to do it!

[Jessiesmama]

So we're through the first night....

Here's how it went:
Routine: Bath, pj's, brush teeth, read book - then I told her she was going to sleep in her crib and that I love her and we're going to have a fun day tomorrow. I put her in and she started screaming immediately.

I went in at 5 min and again at 7 min. That seemed to get her more upset - seeing me there and me not picking her up. After the second visit I decided not to go back in since it clearly didn't help matters.

Here was the schedule last night:
Bedtime
8:08PM until 8:52pm - (exactly 44 min.)
went in for 2 rounds - but then stopped

Night Waking
12:25am until 1:20 (35 min)
did not go in

She only woke once but woke again at 5:33am this morning. I did as the book said and decided she was up for the day as it was after 5:30am.

Now the screaming was insane - I've never heard her scream the way she did when I left her room last night. She exhausted herself with crying - in fact - when I went in to check on her a few minutes after the crying stopped, she was slumped down in the corner of her crib - sleeping in a sitting position with her head on the rail to the right of her! I was afraid to touch her and she finally repositioned herself at 9:35 with a 30 sec. cry.

So I guess I ultimately went with the extinction method. I think she may be too old for straight Ferber method.

I'm not sure if last night was a success or not. The screaming drove me to tears - I felt like I was punishing her and questioning this decision with each cry/scream.

So my questions today:
1. Is there anything else I need to know about extinction.

2. Is it normal for DD to SCREAM at the top of her lungs like she's being whipped for 45 min?

3. Is there anything else I can or should be doing?

[Sebski]

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[magdesilver]

Hang in there. Also know that the 2nd night can sometimes be the worst. It sounds like it went okay though, although I know it is so hard to hear your little one cry! (((hugs mama))))

[Traciann]

sounds like it went well...although I am sure you didn't feel that way. I agree with the PP that tonight maybe worse. You are not harming your daughter! She is learning how to put herself to sleep. She is screaming because she is mad because she is not getting her way (something we are going to see alot of with toddlers!) Also, how was she when you went to get her this morning? Was she happy to see you?

That was good you did not go in to get her in the middle of the night, and I am willing to bet that she will cut that out. She may wake up, but she won't need you to put her back to sleep...she will do it on her own.

1. with extinction just don't go back in.

2. yes totally normal.

3. sounds like you are doing all you could. i am not sure what her normal wake up time is in the morning...but once she gets through the cio...her sleep might become even longer. i am not sure why it works that way, but it does.

hang in there...you are doing great!

[Jessiesmama]

Thank you so much ladies!

This morning she started crying at 5:30 and I went to her and she was happy to see me. When I picked her up she put her head down on my shoulder and said "ahhhh baby" a few times. Then we ate breakfast, played and she napped in the car from 8:20am until 9:10am.

I was really hoping you guys would tell me that I'd see a dramatic improvement tonight...

She's very clingy today. I'm hanging with my mom and DD just wants me - which is unusual b/c my mom cares for her 4 days/wk and she loves being with her. I think it's a result of last night (but the books said this is common). Mom took her out to do errands so I could sleep a bit - DD fell asleep at 1:20pm as mom was pulling into the driveway and is still sleeping (which is unusual). We left her in the car seat as not to disturb her and brought the car in the garage, turned it off and opened the windows. We're hanging out in and around the garage waiting for her to get up.

DH is a mess today. He's trying to come up with alternative methods. I'm the one that did all the research so he's relying on me. I know this is the only way as we tried all of the other "no cry" solutions and now she's at the age where it's this or nothing. I really want her to develop healthy sleep habits. I wish DH had read the same books - he's asking all the questions that I asked (i.e. can't we put her to bed as we normally do and do the ferber method for night wakings). Had he read the books and spent as much time online researching as I did - I think he'd be more comfortable with the approach - but it's just as big a shock to his system as DD's. All the research prepared me for what would be in store and I had a good idea of what it would be like and had time to come to terms with it - he didn't have that opportunity. I feel bad for both of them... and me too.

Just one last note - as prepared as I was, it's the hardest thing I've had to do - I've always responded to her cries and this is soooo hard. I spent her 35 minute night waking crying (in my bed) right along with her....

Thank you ladies for the support - I really need it now - it's one thing to read the books - its another to talk to mommies who have been there/are going there.

[Traciann]

I would just encourage him to give it a few more days. Tonight might be worse as in longer crying, but the next couple of days will get shorter. I would enourage you now that you have one night down, to not give up!!!! I would take the extra nappings as a good sign. Her body needs sleep and goes to show, one night not up and down has been good for her.

Good luck tonight and keep us posted!
Traci

[magdesilver]

Hang in there! Trust me, it will be worth it in a short while when she is getting the sleep she needs, and you and your DH are too! And it isn't uncommon for the rest of her sleep to be kind of wonky, as you have read. She was sleep deprived and it will take a bit to get her back to where she isn't and is getting what she needs.
Tell your DH to read this board! And know that although she is crying and it is hard to hear that, she isn't in pain, she isn't hungry, or wet, or dirty. She is just reacting to a change and it is normal. She doesn't have any other way to communicate with you right now. But you really are doing the right thing by helping her learn to get herself to sleep. It is a wonderful gift!

[Sebski]

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[Jessiesmama]

Here's a recap of night one and what happened on night 2:

Night 1
Bedtime: 8:08PM until 8:52pm - (screamed exactly 44 min.)
went in for 2 rounds - but then stopped going in as it made her more upset
Night Waking
12:25am until 1:20 (cried for 35 min) did not go in

Night 2 - last night
Bedtime 8:23pm until 8:27pm (cried/whimpered for only 4 min.!!!)
No night waking!!!
Up for the day at 7:15am

Now I'm shocked that the crying only lasted 4 minutes last night - but here's the problem....
I went to check on her at 9:00PM - she was sleeping sitting up!
I want back at 10:15pm to check and she was still sitting there but this time she was awake - not crying (until she saw me - then cried a few minutes after I left the room) but looking miserable and sad like she had resigned herself to being abandoned.
I went back at 10:45pm - this time she was standing in the crib, awake but not crying (until she saw me - and again cried for a minute or 2 after I left). Again she looked so sad.
I went back in at 11:30pm to check on her - she was finally asleep. When she woke for the day this morning she looked exhausted - bags under her eyes - the works.

So I have no idea how much real sleep she got last night. It broke my heart to see her looking so sad and alone. This really sucks!

She was happy to see us this morning (luckily I was home when she woke so I got to spend a few minutes telling her how proud I was of her before leaving for work.)

Has anyone ever heard of a baby not crying - but sitting or standing in the crib awake for long periods of time?

[magdesilver]

I think it's a move in the right direction that she can be awake in her crib without crying.

[Traciann]

My guess is that she is used to being put down her previous way. Its not going to hurt her to sleep that way, and she will settle down on her own eventually. My only suggestion is to maybe only check on her once (like before you go to bed) that way she doesn't keep seeing you pop in to check on her and possibly keeping her awake waiting to see you.

I know its can be heartbreaking to see her sad and upset, but if you know that she is not hungry, or wet that she is ok and needs her sleep. You are doing the right thing by giving her the gift of sleep. Keep up the good work. I promise its worth it.

[Jessiesmama]

I keep checking because I'm so nervous. I also want to make sure that when she does fall asleep she's not tangled in her blanket or have her legs sticking through the rails of the crib. I'm going to BRU to buy a video monitor today. I hope that will help matters.

[magdesilver]

Here is the video monitor I have:
http://www.geeks.com/details.asp?invtid=BM-242A-N&cpc=SCH
You can't beat the price, it's portable and wireless, and I love it! I would not be able to be without it. I don't check on her all the time these days, but it's so nice to be able to see her whenever I want to, and not have to wonder if she's awake, asleep, etc. before going in to her room (can't tell you how many times I thought I heard her, so went barging in there and she was asleep and I woke her up! doh!).

[psusna]

Hi there! Popping in from the May/June thread.

I was going to say the same thing as PPs -- don't go in so often. I know it's so hard not to check but you are on the right track by getting the video monitor. We don't have one so I'd stand at the door and listen to see if he was moving around :) However, after I put him down for the night, I'd check before I went to bed and that was it. I got caught by him a few times early on and learned my lesson!

Here's to another great night!! You're doing a great thing for your DD and your entire family :)

[kimthebride]

Hey Jodie,
Ugh! Its hard on the heart, isn't it? :o
My friend Ferberized her 14 month old and it went well...she screamed bloody freaking murder the 1st night but it got so so so much better after only 2 days. She used a video monitor to keep checking on her.
A few thoughts:

1. Video monitor - DEFINITELY go get one! My friend said it was a neccesity for Ferberizing her daighter, since the screams sounded like she was in pain. But it was just dramatic crying. I love mine, since its nice to be able to see whats going on.

2. Sitting up awake in crib is a step in the right direction. She's awake, alone and dealing with it. Thomas does this, and its SO much better than whining/crying each time baby gets up. Its like an independance thing.

3. I found when I altered Thomas' sleep patterns at 9 months it took a few days of confision, drama, etc but he settled happily into the new routine after only a few days. It sounds like you are doing well with it, so congrats on the good work so far.

Oh, and feel free to call me and lean on my shoulder over the weekend if need be. I'll be around! :)

[Jessiesmama]

Thank you so much for the responses!

I got the monitor last night - it made a huge difference for me - being able to see in. Here's a recap and how night 3 went. She's still up for long periods - not crying but up, playing her aquarium, sitting - laying - sitting - laying.

Night 1
Bedtime: 8:08PM until 8:52pm - (screamed exactly 44 min.)
went in for 2 rounds - but then stopped going in as it made her more upset
Night Waking: 12:25am until 1:20 (cried for 35 min) did not go in
Wake for day: 5:33am
Nap 1 - 8:20am - 9:10am
Nap 2 - 1:20pm - 3:40pm

Night 2
Bedtime: 8:23pm until 8:27pm (cried/whimpered for only 4 min.!!!)
No night waking!!!
Up for the day at 7:15am
Nap - 2:20pm - 4:00pm

Night 3 - last night
Bedtime: 8:34PM until 8:36pm - (cried for only 2 min.!!!)
Night Waking: 3:20am until 3:23 (cried for 3 min) but was up for 35 min
Wake for day: 6:36am

How long before she's sleeping? She's spending so much time awake (but not crying) in her crib.

[magdesilver]

I think you and she are doing great! She's actually not up for all that long, just 35 minutes last night, not too bad. Compare it to a few days ago (before you started this) and she was going to bed later, and waking through the night, so she is definitely getting more sleep right now than she was. Give it some more time but it sounds like she is reall doing well! I also think you will notice in the next few months as she starts to resist her morning nap and move to just one nap, she will sleep later in the morning.

[Jessiesmama]

Night 1
Bedtime: 8:08PM until 8:52pm - (screamed exactly 44 min.)
went in for 2 rounds - but then stopped going in as it made her more upset
Night Waking: 12:25am until 1:20 (cried for 35 min) did not go in
Wake for day: 5:33am
Nap 1 - 8:20am - 9:10am
Nap 2 - 1:20pm - 3:40pm

Night 2
Bedtime: 8:23pm until 8:27pm (cried/whimpered for only 4 min.!!!)
No night waking!!!
Up for the day at 7:15am
Nap - 2:20pm - 4:00pm

Night 3
Bedtime: 8:34PM until 8:36pm - (cried for only 2 min.!!!)
Night Waking: 3:20am until 3:23 (cried for 3 min) but was up for 35 min
Wake for day: 6:36am
Nap: 3:50pm - 4:10pm

Night 4 - last night
Bedtime 8:32pm until 8:36pm (cried on and off for 4 min.)
Night waking - DH said she cried for a couple of seconds last night - I didn't hear her and when I checked the monitor, she was sleeping again.
Wake for the day: 6:00am

So things are going well. I don't think she's getting enough (total) sleep yet. I hope that falls into place as a result of the STing.

[Jessiesmama]

magdesilver
It just seemed like every time I checked on her she was awake. But I think that's getting better. She has, for the most part, given up her morning nap, however on the day she woke at 5:30am (and cried so much during the night) she was tired and took a nap in the am. I know things are getting better and I'm so grateful that it worked so quickly. She's learned to use her aquarium and her stuffed animals (she has 2 with her at night) to self soothe.

[psusna]

Keep up the good work!! She's doing great and so are you.

[magdesilver]

To be honest, I think that part of her not getting enough night sleep overall is still her bedtime. I'd work harder to get that earlier, as close to you getting home as you can. 8:30 is still pretty late. Weissbluth says between 6-8 p.m. they should be asleep. Often, an earlier bedtime will make for a later wake-up time as well- sleep begets sleep! Otherwise, it sounds like she is just about sleeping through from when you put her down to when she wakes up, so other than working on bedtime, there isn't going to be much more that you can do, kwim?

I think it's going great so far! way to go!

[kimthebride]

The FP Aquarium and couple other little things I have in Thomas' crib are a Godsend for self-soothing and self-entertainment. You *will* get to a point when she even wakes up in the morning before you and just plays quietly until you get her. It is such a wonderful thing.
Great job!! :)

[alienhost]

jessiesmama I wanted to pop in and say you guys are doing great! I agree with magdesilver an earlier bedtime might help. We try to get DD in the crib by 7:30 unless we are out or something. I like to have her lying down by 7:15. She generally wakes up between 6:45 and 7:15, regardless of when we put her down (i.e. if she goes to bed at 8:30 she's still up at 7). If I think she is extra tired, I try to have her in bed by 7 and she still sleeps to 7:15.

I also agree w/ kimthebride the FP Aquarium and some stuffed animals do the trick for us. If she wakes up in the middle of the night she has been known to turn on the aquarium and go back to sleep on her own.

Good job!!!!

[Jessiesmama]

Here's the update - we're on day 6 tonight. She's going really well. I'm loving the video monitor. I'm going to work on getting her to bed 5 min. earlier each night so that she's going down between 7:50 and 8:00. Thanks again for all of your support and advice - it's really helped me get through this!

Night 1
Bedtime: 8:08PM until 8:52pm - (screamed exactly 44 min.)
went in for 2 rounds - but then stopped going in as it made her more upset
Night Waking: 12:25am until 1:20 (cried for 35 min) did not go in
Wake for day: 5:33am
Nap 1 - 8:20am - 9:10am
Nap 2 - 1:20pm - 3:40pm

Night 2
Bedtime: 8:23pm until 8:27pm (cried/whimpered for only 4 min.!!!)
No night waking!!!
Up for the day at 7:15am
Nap - 2:20pm - 4:00pm

Night 3
Bedtime: 8:34PM until 8:36pm - (cried for only 2 min.!!!)
Night Waking: 3:20am until 3:23 (cried for 3 min) but was up for 35 min
Wake for day: 6:36am
Nap: 3:50pm - 4:10pm

Night 4
Bedtime 8:32pm until 8:36pm (cried on and off for 4 min.)
Night waking - DH said she cried for a couple of seconds last night - I didn't hear her and when I checked the monitor, she was sleeping again.
Wake for the day: 6:00am
Nap 1: 9:45am - 10:10am (is that even a nap?)
Nap 2: 5:00pm - 5:50pm (too lat - but what could I do?)

Night 5 - last night
Bedtime 8:16pm until 8:32pm (cried/whimpered on and off for 16 min.)
No night waking!
Wake for the day: 6:00am

[sem426]

Hi Jodie!
I've been reading along and just wanted to say YAY!! I'm so happy that this is getting easier each night!!

I hope it continues!

-Stacy

[Jessiesmama]

Hi Stacy!

Long time! How's your little girl? I' hope she sleeps!!! ;)

[Sebski]

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[Jessiesmama]

So do you think 6:00 is her new wake up time or will this get later?

Night 1
Bedtime: 8:08PM until 8:52pm - (screamed exactly 44 min.)
went in for 2 rounds - but then stopped going in as it made her more upset
Night Waking: 12:25am until 1:20 (cried for 35 min) did not go in
Wake for day: 5:33am
Nap 1 - 8:20am - 9:10am
Nap 2 - 1:20pm - 3:40pm

Night 2
Bedtime: 8:23pm until 8:27pm (cried/whimpered for only 4 min.!!!)
No night waking!!!
Up for the day at 7:15am
Nap - 2:20pm - 4:00pm

Night 3
Bedtime: 8:34PM until 8:36pm - (cried for only 2 min.!!!)
Night Waking: 3:20am until 3:23 (cried for 3 min) but was up for 35 min
Wake for day: 6:36am
Nap: 3:50pm - 4:10pm

Night 4
Bedtime 8:32pm until 8:36pm (cried on and off for 4 min.)
Night waking - DH said she cried for a couple of seconds last night - I didn't hear her and when I checked the monitor, she was sleeping again.
Wake for the day: 6:00am
Nap 1: 9:45am - 10:10am (is that even a nap?)
Nap 2: 5:00pm - 5:50pm (too lat - but what could I do?)

Night 5
Bedtime 8:16pm until 8:32pm (cried/whimpered on and off for 16 min.)
No night waking!
Wake for the day: 6:00am
Nap: 11:45am - 12:35pm

Night 6 - last night
Bedtime 7:58pm until 7:13pm (cried/whimpered on and off for 15 min. then fell asleep at 8:15pm)
Night Waking: 2:45am - 2:54am (cried 5 min /whimpered on and off 4 min)
Wake for the day: 6:02am

She fell asleep in the car on the way home from my moms last night so I took the opportunity to change her, brush teeth and put her right into bed earlier. I think she was so tired because she only took one (early) nap at 11:45am.

[roe6373]

hey Jodie

things are looking good. Now I may need help before it escalates. Ray hass woken up during the 2 am hour for the last 3 nights. The first night i gave him a bottle bc i could not deal...the second night i was not going to be as nice, but dh gave in. Last night/the third night- i held no prisoners.....i just let him cry. But he would not go back to sleep. Finally, i went in rubbed his back and came back every few minutes. He finally fell asleep at about 3:30 and then at 4:30 he was up again. Mike got fed up adn brought him into bed with us and he fell right to sleep.

Any recommendations on how to handle this if it continues (BTW- he may be teething- i have no clue. he's 8.5 months and has not broken a tooth yet.). I am tired :(

I put him to sleep at about 7pm with a bottle. He has dinner at 5:30; a bath; bottle around 6:30/7 and sleep. My problem is not the going to sleep...it's the staying asleep.

[Jessiesmama]

Roe
I think you need to make sure he's not teething before you do any sleep training. Are his bottom gums swollen? Is he drroling more? Bighting on hands/toys more?

Jodie

[roe6373]

He's been teething forever. I am bad bc i cannot tell if his gumms are swollen. He is droolie and is constantly biting on his hands. He is always fine until the 2am hour. it does not seem to bother him before. oy vey!!!

[Jessiesmama]

So last night we had a blip!

Night 1
Bedtime: 8:08PM until 8:52pm - (screamed exactly 44 min.)
went in for 2 rounds - but then stopped going in as it made her more upset
Night Waking: 12:25am until 1:20 (cried for 35 min) did not go in
Wake for day: 5:33am
Nap 1 - 8:20am - 9:10am
Nap 2 - 1:20pm - 3:40pm

Night 2
Bedtime: 8:23pm until 8:27pm (cried/whimpered for only 4 min.!!!)
No night waking!!!
Up for the day at 7:15am
Nap - 2:20pm - 4:00pm

Night 3
Bedtime: 8:34PM until 8:36pm - (cried for only 2 min.!!!)
Night Waking: 3:20am until 3:23 (cried for 3 min) but was up for 35 min
Wake for day: 6:36am
Nap: 3:50pm - 4:10pm

Night 4
Bedtime 8:32pm until 8:36pm (cried on and off for 4 min.)
Night waking - DH said she cried for a couple of seconds last night - I didn't hear her and when I checked the monitor, she was sleeping again.
Wake for the day: 6:00am
Nap 1: 9:45am - 10:10am (is that even a nap?)
Nap 2: 5:00pm - 5:50pm (too lat - but what could I do?)

Night 5
Bedtime 8:16pm until 8:32pm (cried/whimpered on and off for 16 min.)
No night waking!
Wake for the day: 6:00am
Nap: 11:45am - 12:35pm

Night 6
Bedtime 7:58pm until 8:13pm (cried/whimpered on and off for 15 min. then fell asleep at 8:15pm)
Night Waking: 2:45am - 2:54am (cried 5 min /whimpered on and off 4 min)
Wake for the day: 6:02am
Nap: 9:45am - 11:10am

Night 7 (last night)
Bedtime 8:06pm until 8:11pm (cried/whimpered on and off for 5 min. then fell asleep at 8:22pm)
Night Waking: 5:01am- 5:58 (cried hard - on and off 57 min )
Wake for the day: 7:20am

She was up for an hour at 5:01am! The books say that if they wake before 5:30am to treat it as a night waling and let them CIO. I did. She was fine this morning. Not sure what happened there!!!

[shipgirl]

Jessiesmama thanks for the link to your thread :) . It gives me hope.