Hi all,
I'm new to the forum and I have been reading and following Tracy Hogg's method for just over a week now. Our issues were multiple as it often happens, Martina is my second child and I succeeded with bf this time around so was delighted with myself and fed on demand for 3.5 months. At that point I knew Martina would nap during the day (mostly cat nap) but couldn't tell you when or for how long
Nights have always been full of awakenings, and i latched her on every time to settle her. Plus I would take her into the bed from about 4 to get a bit more rest myself
Oh and I bfed her to sleep every night too. I know I know, what more could I do wrong? My first son was bottlefed, slept through the night from about 8 weeks! So we are at a loss with this one.
Anyway, I do believe in routines and started first with a proper bedtime (8.15ish start bath, cuddles, feed and mostly going to her cot asleep by 8.45) and she would be consistently asleep for a while but could wake up any time from 11.30 pm to 1.30 am, then again 3am, 5am, 6 am etc.Not always though, some nights we would have been lucky I guess and she could sleep 6 hours straight (and then usual waking pattern as above). I introduced cereal and fruit about 3 weeks ago thinking it may be hunger, but made no difference to the nights.
As of a week ago I decided it was time to make a change and I started introducing a proper EASY routine whicc during the day is already working quite well though times may shift a bit.
E 7.20 am bf
A mostly chatting to her in her recliner while having breakfast, sle plays with soft toys hanging from the bar etc.
S generally by 9 and now she falls asleep in her cot with gentle stroking/patting and reassuring talk with minimal crying. this nap can be anywhere between 45 min to 2 hours but generally on the short side.
E 11.45-12 she has fruit/veg puree
A is short here as she is been awake already a couple of hours but we do tickle time, tummy time, looking at books etc
S 1pm this is the easiest putting to bed time, requires no intervention at all most times and she sleeps again between 45 min to 1.5 hours generally at least 1 hour.
E 4pm bf
A much as above
S cat nap here but could be as late as 6 and I wake her after 30 min if she still asleep. This nap is a struggle, I suspect maybe overtired by the time I decide to give in and put her down
E 7pm baby cereal of some kind and small bit of fruit or goat yoghurt.
A quiet activity mostly while we eat and she can be on my laps taking part
8.15is bath, bf and she is asleep by 8.45-9pm (depending on the last catnap)
11pm dream feed with bottle, she doesn't take more than 4oz
She refuses the pacifier, but has a little lovey mostly because I started giving it to her after "wearing" it during bf in the hope to help settle her.
When she wakes up at night she is always crying. I have tried pu/pd and wake to sleep but she is such a light sleeper that I always wake her fully!
Any help or tips? Many thanks, back to work in 5 weeks!!