Using MYSELF as a nap/night-time prop?

[bumblemum]

Hope things are going well Mrs Wilson - I'm sending you sleep vibes. I hope my lo also picks them up because the last couple of nights have been poo!

I started looking at BW when my lo was about 10 weeks - she's now 4 months and things are far from perfect. I'm working on it a little bit every day. She doesn't co-sleep anymore and she always goes in her cot awake.  I never got on with a paci and so self soothing was always a challenge but she found her thumb 3 weeks ago and this has made a massive difference.

I wonder if my girl would have made this progress any earlier because she just didn't seem quite ready. However I might just have not been consistent enough and bringing her into the bed seemed like the only option for a month or so. I also found breastfeeding really full on and co-sleeping was the only way for a bit.

I'd love to hear how it's going!

C

[momofjames]

good luck Mrs Wilson. I hope everything goes well. remember have patience and stay calm. =)

[Kimberlina]

Thanks girls!

UPDATE: The house is finally back to normal, and the day after everyone went home, he got ALL of his naps in, evening was pants, but the night went quite well!! But I'd stupidly booked my friend to come over on Thursday all day for a photoshoot (the photos will be GORGEOUS!!) - there was so much hubbub and things going on that he couldn't sleep (when we especially wanted him to for his photos!) and ended up being WILDLY ot! We've been playing catch-up ever since!!

BUT! I was *so* proud of him yesterday morning. We'd tried to get to sleep for 1hr15m and he wasn't having it. I tried putting him in the sling so I could make some more bottles, but he just SCREAMED! I thought, well - I've got to get these bottles made, and I need a break! So I just lay him in his basket with a rolled blanket at one side and went downstairs...30 seconds later - SILENCE. I came back up with the laundry... and he had put himself to sleep ON HIS OWN, IN HIS BED!!! I was so excited, I called DH at work with the news! He slept for 1hr45!! The rest of the day went to pot, but there was a glimmer of hope for me!!

I've decided to hermit-ise myself for the next couple of weeks and really get into a proper routine. We're on 3hr EASY, but I don't really stick to my guns - I don't wake to feed if he's been tired and needs to sleep...and I think if I start doing that, then within a few days maybe he'll learn to get the sleep where he can/should?? Here's hoping!!

Will let you know! Thank you for your support!!!

[bumblemum]

Well done Mrs Wilson! I also plan to hermitise myself because it's just not happening if I meet friends during the day. She will nap in my arms for 30 mins but this is all wrong.

My only worry is that I will become a nap obsessed loony. I already spend too long in a semi dark nursery!! I feel like a mushroom!

What do you do when your lo wakes early from a nap? I am shushing for 15 mins and then if it's just not happening I use APOP to avoid OT.  Driving me nuts but I'm sure there will be improvements soon.
Good luck

C

[Kimberlina]

ANOTHER MIRACLE NAP THIS AFT!!!

Right, check this link - MUST READ: A Special Sleep Interview with Tracy Hogg

It's a special sleep interview with Tracy and it all becomes MUCH more clear!!  *Should* be sitting 5 minutes after wind-down. If he's quiet, then put him down and continue sh/pat. If he cries, pick up, sh/pat. Once he calms completely, back down again. AND CARRY ON. He will get OT, so I need to accept that from the outset. Once it gets to be feed-time, go out, stay low-key and keep him awake for feed - THEN STRAIGHT BACK DOWN AGAIN. Tracey swears that after a few days (really no longer than a week) definite improvements will be made!

She says that we need to stay with baby for the whole 20 minutes until he's FAST OFF. Past jerks, etc, else you will keep coming back for the whole nap - so invest a week in sleep training and then 20 minutes in the thorough napping, and the Y times should belong to YOU again!!!

I feel so optimistic!!

[bumblemum]

I had amazing nap too today! Pretty much the whole 1hr 30 mins. I had to shush after 30 mins for about 15 mins but after that she finally entered deeper sleep and I left her to eat my lunch!!!

In the morning I made sure she had a proper nap by extending it with her on my lap. Maybe I need to relook at the book with how to deal with OT so I can do it properly.

Anyway I'm just so excited that I could leave her room for the nap!

I also feel optimistic - she is so much happier this afternoon because she's slept properly. However i know i'll have bad days too so being realistic.

Good luck with it.

C

[momofjames]

Stick with it girls it sounds like lots of progress has been made. James has finally gotten to the point where he actually leans over to be put into his crib when Im standing by it after his bedtime routine is coming to a close, but once in awhile he still wakes up in the middle of the night and expects to be rocked back to sleep and it feels like Im right back at square one. I guess even when you feel like youre done sleep training youre not. its an ongoing project and there will still be bad nights here and there. just trying to keep your expectations realistic.

[bumblemum]

I call my lo my little Project because once sleep is kind of sorted we will be on to the next thing!