SHH/Pat Question, 3 week old

[prestonsmom]

I've been trying to do the shh/pat with my 3 week old.  I can get him to fall asleep, but it takes me roughly 30 minutes to calm him (put him in his crib doing the shh/pat, fine for 5 minutes, cries, pick him up, calm him, put him back, etc.).  After he's finally calm and falling asleep I do the shh/pat for 20 minutes.  The problem is that it takes me about an hour to get him down for a nap.  Does this get any better?  I want to be consistent with him, but that's a long time in the middle of the night! Naps are much easier to do this with.  Also, I have a "sucky" baby who really seems to want to suck, but I'm having a really hard time getting him to take a pacifier.  Occasionally he'll take it, but most the time he doesn't.  He seems to sleep longer if he has his pacifier... any ideas?

[Easter Lily]

I find that it takes me anything from 30 minutes to 1 hour... 
I think that part of the problem is that in the early stage, we're still learning about our babies so it does take a long time. I take my MP3 player in with me... it helps relieve some of the stress.

[prestonsmom]

My DS also seems to wake within 10-15 minutes after I put him down... needless to say, this is extremely frustrating!  You spend an hour getting him down and then he's up!!!

[Mariek]

Hi

I did Pat/shhh consistently with my DS from 3 weeks (he's now 6 months) for about a month at bedtime and all naps. In the beginning it did take about 45 mins to get him down but it gradually took less and less time until I could eventually put him down awake and he would go to sleep on his own. It's hard work but it is SO worth it. He slept through the night from 9 weeks (with a DF until a couple of weeks ago)  and he now sleeps 7pm to 7.20/30 with no wakings and if he does wake (on rare occasions)  he quickly settles himself.

Just be consistent and I promise you it will pay off. Good Luck!

love

[prestonsmom]

Another question... did you do this shh/pat in the middle of the night?  I'm frustrated with spending an hour getting him down and then he's up shortly thereafter in the middle of the night... very tired mommy!

[Easter Lily]

In my case, I have a good sleeper but a bad self-settler... Odd, I know. The thing is, she used to be a self-settler before the reflux flared up. I don't want to use CC or CIO with her because all she does is swallow copious amounts of air which probably makes the reflux worse.

I've only done shush/pat for 5 days with my 5 week and I'm finding it gruelling. It's harder during the day the night.

[prestonsmom]

I agree- it's really tough!  My DS is just under 3 weeks- I'm finding I still nurse him to sleep sometimes... I'm hoping I'm not being counterproductive- next week I'll be more diligent!

[Easter Lily]

A 3 week old is still very sleepy... in fact my 5 week old is still very sleepy... She often drops off to sleep while feeding... on a bottle! I'm afraid of overstimulating her (she's such a fitful settler) but want to balance that with giving her more wake time. At times I can only give a few minutes of wake time before she starts yawning or clenching her fists. Don't want to miss that window... 

I've been re-reading Tracy's book (her last one) on pp.201-204, she talks about Overstimulation... it might be worth looking at it again if you're taking a long time settling your LO.

Let's continue to encourage one another.

[prestonsmom]

Ya... definitely good to bear in mind.  The only thing is I'm trying to figure out what to do with my 3 week old.  If he falls asleep 10 minutes into the feed I'm afraid I'll create a snacker.  On the other hand, if I keep him up, then he becomes overtired... what to do?  Which is worse, not eating or not sleeping???  Maybe we should have just gotten a puppy???  Just kidding!

[Easter Lily]

Animals and children... not a lot to choose between them...  *thinks W.C. Fields*

I put mine on the bouncinette for a few minutes and eventually the eyes pop open. I think Tracy makes that suggestion too.