Wake to Sleep technical questions

[Elphyrafire]

I hope one of your lovely moderators can help us, too.

The 45 minute monster hit our house a month ago when DS turned 4 months old. Also, nightwakings increased to an all time high. I tried wake to sleep yesterday and it helped to extend to 1 hour 30 mins so thanks! I also tried it at night and it kind of worked. He awoke and saw me though. But I don't know if I'm doing it right.
My questions:
1) You guess when they are going to wake up and put pressure on their legs, arms, tummy to help calm them. into the next sleep cycle.  Is the goal to have the pressure in place before they stir to wake up or will it work after they stir? I find myself waiting for 20 minutes with my hands on DS because I don't know when he's going to wake up. It's getting annoying.

2) Approx how many days do you have to do this before they can do it themselves?

3) Not trying to be controversial but isn't "helping" them to calm down make them dependent on you to get back into the next sleep cycle? Won't they expect to be patted and shushed into the next cycle forever? Are you telling me they just learn how eventually?

Thanks for your time!
Ella

[Caroline-Charlies Mummy]

Hello Ella,

1) I think the most effective wake to sleep occurs when you actually do something to cause the stir, rather than waiting for it to happen. That way, you are in control of the sleep cycle, and can help him through it - you are catching him before he comes out of deep sleep and into lighter sleep, and resetting the cycle, make sense? Go in there about 5 mins before he would be likely to stir and move his blankie or make a soft noise - anything that would make him 'stir', turn over in his sleep, etc, but not actually wake him up. If you do wake him by accident (oh that happens ), then dive to the floor so he doesn't see you, or the game will be up .

2) Depends on the lo. I think anything up to 1-2 weeks, depending on how consistent you are.

3) The idea here is that you are teaching him to get to the next sleep cycle with your help, and then you gradually withdraw your assistance until he no longer needs it

HTH

[Elphyrafire]

Thanks very much- that does help.
BTW, I visited Wales a few years ago and I loved it. Your accents make you sound like you are singing your words- so beautiful.
(I'm in Vancouver, BC, Canada)
Ella