please explain WTS and ssh/patt methods

[MomforAidan]

Hi,
On an earlier post, I asked for help extending my 3 mos old son's naps. I was given links to the wts method but I'm not sure I quite understand. Are you just supposed touch them till they stir or try to almost wake them up? Also if it doesn't work and they wake up at the 45 min mark do you still try to put them back down? How many times should you try the wts method before it should work? Also, I wanted a better explanation of the shh/pat method. I've never used this cause my son will go to sleep fine and hardly requires any wind down time. It's just now his naps are getting shorter and shorter.

Thanks in advance!

[meltown]

first off, will you post your routine?  it may be time to transition your LO to a different EASY.  like form a 3 hour to a 3.5 or whatever.  shorter naps are a sign of transition. 

I have been using W2S the past few days.  you just go in and rub their tummy and legs until they start to move or their eyes move around under their eye lids.  sometimes you have to play with the timing a bit.  I think I read somewhere that if they still wake that you should use Shh/pat to try to get them back to sleep.  someone can correct me if that is wrong.  I think you have to do it for a couple weeks and then give it a try without it and see if they can do the transition on their own and don't wake. 

hat exactly don't you understand about shh/pat.  there is a lot involved and I'm not sure what to tell you.  one thing that helped my LO was making sure you are holding them up on your shoulder when you do it and not down across your arm.  like with their head on your shoulder.  then you pat them kind of firmly and you shh into their ear.  the shhing has to be kind of loud like the sound of a faucet on full blast.  then in the crib you just turn them on their side and lean over the crib and patt them and shh intheir ear.  as they fall asleep you can slowly lower them to their back and pat on their side or shoulder.  it is suggested that you stay with then for 20 min from the time their eyes begin to close until they learn to do it on their own or you know they don't need you to stay that long.  Each Lo is different. 

other then that you may want to ask questions because I'm not sure what your not understanding.  hope that helps!!!!

[*Natasha*]

Check out these 2 links in our FAQS section they should help answer your questions:

https://babywhispererforums.com/index.php?topic=64168.0
https://babywhispererforums.com/index.php?topic=64759.0