Hi everyone,
Today is just one of those "bad" days. I am feeling like I am failing at this and need some supportive mamas out there who have had success with this...to help me out. I have tried to look through the other posts as well as the sleep interview and I haven't seen my question (that's not to say it's not there...just that I can't seem to find it in all of my frustration...) And today I feel like I need some one-on-one help.
I have a few questions:
(My son is 6 months old -tomorrow- and is on the 4 hour EASY...since last week...and is doing VERY well as far as E and A)
1. Since I am trying to teach my son to self-soothe, I need help on knowing when is the "right" time to intervene during a nap??? I read that if you "rush right in" you will become a prop, but if you let him cry, if even for 5 mins, you are damaging the trust between you. (I have been taking the attitude of going in when he needs me...the panicked cry...but after reading the sleep interview, it seemed like Tracy said to go in right when they cry). Am I missing something?? (He has been able to put himself back to sleep-but usually only at bedtimes...he only gets more worked up during naps if I leave him fussing for a few minutes.)
2. My son seems to wake after 35 minutes but is crying and needs help going back to sleep. I have tried going into his room and watching for the jolts that might wake him and then placing my hands on him to wake to sleep, as I have read. However, he STILL wakes after 35 mins, so today I tried to gently wake him by rubbing his back and moving his arm. He let out a shuddery breath. I figured that was "waking him" out of that sleep cycle. Am I correct? (He still jolted at 35 mins and I put my hands on him again...but I don't think it was a coincidence that the trash truck was immediately outside his bedroom window.)
3. I have read that at this age, you should leave one arm out of the blanket so they can find their thumb or fingers. My son gets so worked up and upset when he is sucking his fingers, that it wakes him more. Should we do something different to teach him to soothe with his fingers?? (He doesn't use a paci or anything like that.)
Thank you for any and all help you can offer me. I am a very "by the book" person so when something goes off, I get discouraged. If this is all normal and I just need to stick with it, can you please let me know that too? Thank you!!!
