Hi, I'm Jill and my son is Samuel. Samuel is 13 months old and has always "needed" a warm body to go to sleep. This is a case of accidental parenting big time.
He has been sleeping in his crib since he was about 4 months old. He is a frequent night waker, most nights 4 and 5 times a night. He honestly does not know how to put himself to sleep or back to sleep when he wakes up. About 2 months ago we started bringing him to our bed after 4am wake ups. Neither of us had the energy to put him back to sleep after 4am. Then about a month ago we got a new rocking chair in his room and then my husband started falling asleep with Samuel in the chair when it was his turn to get the baby. This has been getting out of hand. We want Samuel to sleep in his crib on his own. That's how we came across the baby whisperer.
About 7 months ago I did some reading about sleep stuff and learned how much a scheduel would help. So from that point on I have him on a pretty regular routine; meal times, nap time, outside play (he has been walking since 8 and a half months!), a very structured bedtime ritual. We started using the PD method 4 nights ago, we are on day 5 today. I have to say it has been wonderful!!! But, I can already see that having my hand on him as he falls asleep is becoming his new prop. As long as my hand is on him and he can put his hand on mine he will go to sleep fairly easily (in 10 to 20 minutes). But if I try to move my hand before he is totally out he starts up again. I don't want to trade one bad habit for another so I'm looking for a little guidance. I think the next step is to do the PD and then just stand there not touching him. I tried that at his nap today and it took about 40 minutes of PD and him rolling around fussing before he finally fell asleep. But he did fall asleep without me touching him which is the next goal. Eventually I would like to get out of the room, but one step at a time.
Does anyone have experience with this???
The PD method has been a such a gift and Samuel has taken to it really well. Last night he actually slept 10 hours straight. I hope I don't sound like I'm trying to rush things, but what he has always wanted was to be touching someone while he falls asleep, that is why I am concered about continuing to let him fall asleep with the physical contact. Is doing the put down, using the reassuring words and then standing there without touching him the next right step?
Any advice would be great, thanks for the help.
jill
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