New to here and desperate for sleep

[SleepySue]

My son is 8 months old.  He use to self settle really well until about 5 months (when we unswaddled him).  Now it is a nightmare.
He will go to bed about 7/730pm most of the time it takes about an hour of going into him, laying him back down, leaving the room for 2 minutes, going back in, laying him down, patting him etc etc.
Then he will wake at least once before 10pm then he'll wake at least every hour to hour and a half.
The last 2 nights we have tried CC to get him to sleep but by 2am I end up cosleeping with him because I am so so so tired.  The nights we have tried CC my son has been sick, so all the milk he has had he has bought up again.
When he wakes in the night sometimes he just wants a dummy he has about 10oz during the night.
Im just don't know what to do.  I pick him up and he closes his eyes instantly - i put him down he screams.

I just dont know what to do next...

[SleepySue]

Thanks i'm not a fan of CC and have only done it as a compromise with my H, we won't be continuing with it anymore.
He does sleep in a grobag and seems to like having something on him at nights.
As for the dummy, he does use it for comfort.  Although sometimes he cries when he has his dummy in.
Our day is like this:

Wake up 730am
E - 815am
A-
S-10am-11.20am

E - midday
A-
S- 130pm-2.20pm and 4-4.30pm


E-snack at 4pm solid food at 5.30pm
A- calming activities before bathtime at 6-6.30
S- 7pm

These are only rough as he doesn't always nap at the same time everyday.

Thanks

[anna*]

Can he find and put the dummy in for himself, or does he need you to do it?

Re your routine, does he have two or three naps a day? I'm confused about the line that says:
S- 130pm-2.20pm and 4-4.30pm

Also, how many milk feeds is he having each day? Does he eat his solids well?

[SleepySue]

Sorry for the confusion, he does have 3 naps a day, the last nap is sometimes hit and miss but it is only a 20-30 min nap never longer.  I try not to let him nap after 5pm though.

He has a 6oz bottle in the morning around 830 and then a 7oz around 1pm  and then a 6oz around 630/7pm

He always needs me to put his dummy in.  he can find his mouth but never can he take his hand away without pulling it out again.  Most the time I don't think he even bothers to locate it, even though i leave a few in his cot.  He will always stand up and the dummy is at his feet.

As for solids, he is getting better, the weather hasn't helped i don'tthink and he sometimes refuses lumpier foods, but will eat anything smooth.  He loves jam on toast though.

[SleepySue]

i'm not sure if this is relevent but he is on Enfamil AR formula (prescription from the consultant and GP).

[SleepySue]

Well an update on last night, he was totally out of routine as we had to house sit, so he fell asleep at his usual time of 7pm until 8.20pm when we had to go home, he was awake until 930pm and then waking every hour.  At 130am I ended up in bed with him - this is mainly because I am having chest pain and couldnt keep getting up and down.
He did then sleep from 130am-6.30am with a feed in the middle.
As soon as im fighting fit, we're going to try PU/PD I think but I need a strategy i think.

Thanks for listening.

[anna*]

((((hugs)))) as soon as you're feeling better, I'll be happy to hold your hand through the PUPD process - here, on the PUPD board. The thing is, PUPD won't work if he needs a dummy to settle. So maybe this is the opportunity to wean the dummy, too? Re the Enfamil AR, was that prescribed for reflux? Is there any chance that he is unsettled because his reflux is flaring?

[SleepySue]

Hi thanks for the replies.  I have been to the doctors this morning and i have a chest infection and have medication for it so hopefully I will be on the mend.
I know the logic and rational plan is to ditch the dummy, but this bit scares me the most.  Also we have my stepdaughter staying 3 nights/2days a week and she has a dummy (long story but her mum will not support us getting rid of it) so im not sure how my LO will react when his sister has a dummy and I (will) have taken his away.
I'm definitely open to all the support and help I can get though, this no sleep malarky is awful.
xx

[SleepySue]

Oooh yes the Enfamil AR is for his reflux, he is just coming off rantidine aswell at the moment, as his reflux seems to be a lot better.

SS xx

[anna*]

Honestly, at 8 months I don't think he's old enough to feel 'jealous' of his sister's dummy? Does she have it in the daytime? You could wean it in 4 days and by the time she comes to stay again he could be sleeping without it.

Alternatively, you could try a different approach, which is to make a 'dummy blankie'. Get a muslin cloth and with a few big secure stitches, sew on about 6 dummies, all over it. During his A time, do lots of practice finding the cloth and putting a dummy in. Then start leaving it in his cot with him for naps/nights. The thing is, you can't use PUPD if the dummy is a prop - if he can control it himself, then you have that sleep training tool at your disposal.

[SleepySue]

Ahhh right thank you.  I think it is something to think about.  I would rather get rid of it to be honest but he is such a sucky baby I honestly believe that one of the reasons his reflux is getting better is because we gave him his dummy after feeds so the sucking motion helped control the sickness reflex.
The dummy blankie sounds a good idea.   He can locate his mouth with a dummy but cant pull his hand away without pulling the dummy out with it.

Thanks for the reply, it helps to hear what other people think and to have someone share their knowledge.