PD much harder second time round - HELP!

[Laalaalaa]

Hi,

We've had mixed results over the last few nights. I think partly it is because we were away over Easter so she was a bit unsettled. She slept through once but then has woken once in the night for the past few nights. PD in the middle of the night is really hard and she gets really distressed so I have to confess I haven't been 100% consistent with the NW. I have done PD for naps and bedtime and it's working. I'm finding that she is having really short naps though - yesterday her morning nap was only 30 minutes and although I tried PD to get her to sleep for longer, it didn't work. She was definitely still tired because when I finally stopped trying PD she fell asleep on my shoulder as soon as I picked her up. So frustrating!!

My question is whether 30 min naps are UT or OT? I put her down at 4 hours 15 min activity time.

Also, although this may be a long way off, what should be my strategy for being able to leave the room whilst she is settling herself to sleep? At the moment, she screams if I leave before she is fully asleep.

Thanks again for all your help 

[katie80]

My question is whether 30 min naps are UT or OT? I put her down at 4 hours 15 min activity time.

Typically, they are OT, but that doesn't really seem like it would be too much A time for her.  Is she working on teeth, atm?  Could she be waking in discomfort and that's why you're having a tough time resettling naps and NWs? 

Also, although this may be a long way off, what should be my strategy for being able to leave the room whilst she is settling herself to sleep? At the moment, she screams if I leave before she is fully asleep.

This too sounds like it could be a little SA/possibly teeth...   Usually Gradual Withdrawal works pretty well at this age.  Here's a good link (GW starts about half-way down the page): Walk In/Walk Out vs. The Gradual Withdrawal Method (HOW TO CHOOSE) 

[Laalaalaa]

Hi,

Just thought I'd post an update. I've held off PD for a while as she has been teething. When that eased off I noticed that she was waking fairly consistently at 1am every night so I tried wake to sleep. That has had limited success and last night I realised that she is really struggling to settle herself back to sleep and is really relying on me (either cuddling or holding/pulling my hair or a milk feed) So it's back to PD. I'm dreading it after last time but it has to be done!

I'm going to clear the diary for next week and get going........ Wish me luck!!

[katie80]

Good luck!  Here to hold your hand!