GW - Help!

[lauranoah]

Hello,

We are heading into night 5 of GW our 13 month old son and I am finding it so so hard, I knew it was not going to be easy but I wasn't expecting it to be this hard. He seems to be crying more and more as the nights go on. It is so tempting to go in there and cuddle him and feed him... but that is what I have always done and it has left us with 13 months of 3 to 12 wakes in a night.
My DP is sleeping in the nursery and stays with Noah until he settles... but this can take a couple of hours. Is this normal? I have never heard Noah cry so much before.
I suppose I would just love some support for people that have been here... I know in my head that this will get better but right now, listening to Noah cry, I find it hard to believe.
 
Thanks

Laura

[jordiwes]

It does get better! In a few weeks, it will be a distant memory. I really think you are at the threshold where it's going to start to get a lot better VERY soon. There will be regressions, but good for you for staying strong!
He's learning an important tool, and is just frustrated at the moment. Keep telling yourself that, that's what got me through it.

[Colin Macs Mom]

Second jordiwes - day 5 is often the turning point day so hang in there!

[lauranoah]

Thank you thank you thank you... this is what I need to hear... last night was bad again. I just have to hold on to the thought that it will turn and these days / nights will be but a memory. I just have my fingers crossed that it happens soon! Yawn.

[FroggyMom]

Just wanted to offer some words of encouragement to you!  My ds is 15 months old and had always been rocked to sleep.  In January, he got sick, and we had to hold him propped up all night so he could breathe okay.  After that, he started waking up about every hour or hour and a half wanting to be rocked back to sleep at night.  We are almost at the end of our 4th week of GW. 

I see your dp is sleeping in the nursery with Noah and staying until he settles.  I have a mattress next to the crib in my LO's room.  The first 2 weeks I slept right beside him and would talk to him, pat him, rub his back, hold his hand....to help him settle to sleep.  I then moved to other side of mattress farther from crib and still talk to him, but no longer touch him.  He is making great progress....takes anywhere from 10-30 minutes to fall asleep.

So, all this to say....hang in there!  It does work!  CONSISTENCY is the key!

Do you have a "sleepy phrase" that you say to Noah at night?  This is helpful.  We use, "It's time for night night sleepy boy."  Also, does he have a lovey that he would like to sleep with.  My ds loves his Gloworm.  He also has an aquarium (not sure if that is what it is called) that has buttons on it.  When he pushes them, it lights up and plays music and this seems to help him settle as well.

Hope tonight is a good night!

[lauranoah]

Thank you. We got Noah a lovey when he was tiny, but he has not really gotten attached to it. We have it in his cot with him every night though. We have a sleepy phrase too. At the moment it feel as though we will never have a baby that sleeps. Last night was night 6 and his sleep is getting worse! He woke every two hours and cried for 30 mins to an hour each time. Is this normal do you think? does it get worse before it gets better?
I am in a daze, DP is working all wknd and I have no idea how to muddle through today, I am dreading tonight!
Thanks for your help with this!

[lauranoah]

Okay, here we go for another night..... when does this get easier? :-/

[FroggyMom]

I'm sorry you guys are having such a difficult time right now.  I am sending lots of "sleep vibes" your way! 

I am definitely not an expert in this area as I have been doing GW with my ds for 4 weeks now.  But, I have been asked to be sure nothing else was going on and causing a problem such as teething.  Is your LO teething right now?

Also, how is his napping?  My ds had been having trouble going through the 2:1 nap transition, so it was causing his night sleeping to not be as good.  He was becoming OT during the day because he wasn't napping enough.  Just other factors to consider!

Hope tonight is a better night! 

[jordiwes]

Oh no, what a stubborn little one! Is he spirited by any chance? Teething? Have you tried pain meds? What are you doing for naps?
I hope it's getting better!

[FroggyMom]

Lauranoah....are things getting any better for you guys?

[lauranoah]

Hello,
Not been on here for the last few days as we had a little holiday for my 30th. I am now officially in my 30's. Gak.
The GW just went from bad to worse... we ended up having Noah crying a horrible horrible cry for hours - between 2am and 5am... at 5 am i caved and breastfed. Paul was with him the whole time but it was so awful to hear.
I decided then to have a break from it, we were all just so exhausted, I think this was last monday or tuesday, I am sure that is not the right thing to have done but I really was at a loss as to what to do and I could not bare anymore crying - if there had been a sign of things getting better then i would have stuck to it. Maybe it was teeth? maybe i am making excuses?
So... we are back to the 2 or 3 wakings a night for now. I will defo give Noah another shot with the GW soon, but will just perhaps let us all recharge our batteries a bit first...
Thank you for all of your support! xx

[FroggyMom]

Lauranoah, I am certainly no expert on sleep training!  However, you have to make the decision for your own family that is best for you and your LO...no one else can decide that!  So, if you felt like nothing was getting better, than I think it is perfectly fine to take a break from sleep training and just do what you have to do to get your LO to sleep at night.  It could have been any number of things like you said such as teething or something.  Does your LO have separation anxiety?

I have been doing GW sleep training with my ds for 6 weeks now.  It has been a slow process for us.  I am now to the point where I can sit in a chair by the door (inside his room where he can see me), and he will fall asleep in about 5-15 minutes.  So, when you guys all feel rested and feel like giving it another go....it CAN work! 

Good luck and get some rest!