Author Topic: How do get my DD to sleep on her own again after illness?  (Read 951 times)

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Offline Rachel600

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How do get my DD to sleep on her own again after illness?
« on: November 18, 2009, 14:31:53 pm »
I have a 14 month old DD who has just had a nasty chest infection and cold. Although DD would go down to sleep easily at 7ish she would wake up every hour or so for a couple of hours. The only way to get her back to sleep was to put her in the spare double bed in her room with me (or in desperste measures with DH!!). This meant that at least we would get some sleep between us. She was too ill to put back in cot really as her cough just kept her awake. Anyway, now (which I knew was going to happen) it is a struggle to get her back to sleep in her cot if she wakes up in the night which has happened every night since the illness. I try to cuddle and put back in cot which she at least tries for 2 or 3 times but if she doesnt go back to sleep then it is all out rage kicking screaming about going back in the cot!!! So as I am now ill and pregnant I dont have the energy to argue so she goes to sleep in the spare bed with me again!! But before she wakes up I put her back in cot so she may at least think she has slept in cot!!! This happens at around 2 or 3 in the morning. She has been having two naps but maybe that is why she is waking up??? So today am trying one nap to see what happens.
Her usual routine is

A: 6:30/7
E: 7:30
S 10:30 to 11
A 12/12.30
E 12.30
S Between 3 and 4 on a walk.
Snack 4
Dinner 5.30
Then bedtime arouind 7.

Today I managed to get her to stay awake until 11.30 (tired due to night waking)and will put her to bed by 6.30 if not before!!!

So how do I get her to stay in her cot at night like she used to?



Offline Peek-a-boo

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Re: How do get my DD to sleep on her own again after illness?
« Reply #1 on: November 20, 2009, 15:16:11 pm »
bumping this up for you

Offline skatty

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Re: How do get my DD to sleep on her own again after illness?
« Reply #2 on: November 21, 2009, 09:08:00 am »
I think your best strategy will be walk in/walk out, do you know what that is? I will try and find a link for you, have faith that if sdhe was a good sleeper she will be again  ;)
Katt






Offline skatty

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Re: How do get my DD to sleep on her own again after illness?
« Reply #3 on: November 21, 2009, 09:16:13 am »
OK, here is the WI/WO method, it is exactly the same for NWs, just remember it is important to distinguish between an angry cry and a genuinely distressed cry. Consistancy is the key, once your dd realises mum isn't giving in and there wont be any co sleeping she will catch on and it is not like you will be deserting her as you will come in to reassure her, it can take time but as your dd used to be a good sleeper then hopefully it will be quick, we have got back on track within 2 WI/WOs before!



WI/WO Method

Follow your bedtime routine being certain that your child has sufficiently wound down from the day.  When wind down is completed, lay your child down, tuck them in and use a phrase they can associate with it's sleep time such as "time to go night-night you can find your blankie/pacifier/suck your thumb/etc. to help you fall asleep."  Leave the room.  Stand outside of your child's door and assess the situation.  It's important to distinguish between different types of cries and identify when your child is truly upset and when they may be settling themselves.  Remain outside the room if your child is making fussy-type cries or noises.  If crying is starting then stopping, hang back and wait.  If crying escalates go in to resettle your child.  Repeat your phrase "time to go night-night you can find your blankie/pacifier/suck your thumb/etc. to help you fall asleep" and leave again.  Comforting should be brief and you should avoid picking up your child.

Upon leaving the room again, wait outside the door and reassess the situation.  The amount of time you wait is determined by how your child is reacting inside.  The key is to hang back enough to give your child space to fall asleep independently, but to respond to truly upset cries.
Katt