httj question

[anielasmommy]

so i have started httj with my DD since yesterday and i have a few questions.
1. her jolts seem to last over an hour is that normal?
2. she screams when she jolts but her eyes are shut the whole time and once that jolt is over she wont scream until the next one. has that happened to anyone else?
3. when she opens her eyes and i shield them does that mean shes woken up or can they open their eyes wide and look around during this? she shuts them again as if they werent even open.
4. if she does wake up do i pick her up or just shh/pat her until she doses off? she screams if she wakes up..

[mokey_cat]

I used httj with my dd when she was 3 months and they used to last between 20-40 mins but after a week or so i only had to apply pressure for 15 mins.  She also screamed with her eyes closed - I think its when they are transitioning through sleep cycles and its so weird but my DD was usually asleep when she did it.  If I was not there to httj she would wake at that point but if i was there she holding her arms, she would go back to sleep.  She used to sometimes open her eyes briefly too - sometimes she opens them during the transition from light to deep sleep even now.  We have her room REALLY dark to help her get to sleep past 40 mins - if its bright she opens her eyes a little and its all over!!  And if she wakes early, I would try to use shh/pat to get her back to sleep.  I would try it in her cot 1st but if she is really crying then pick her up, calm her and shhpat and then try putting her back into the cot when she is calm and finish shhpatting in the cot of you can.

Hope that helps.

Laura
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[anielasmommy]

thanks for the reply! definately helps. i was wondering too how many days i will have to httj?

[mokey_cat]

I actually had to do it for a good few weeks  .  But to me it was preferable to having a really grumpy baby as my LO was horrid when she was tired!!  .  Im sure others have success with it over a week or so but my LO needed a bit more time.  What age is your LO?  How long does she usually nap for?

[anielasmommy]

shes 11 weeks and only napping 45min to an hour max sometimes shorter

[mokey_cat]

It so common for them to start short napping at that age.  My Lo was 11 weeks too - its a developmental thing so dont worry, she will grow out of it  .  She started sleeping a whole lot better when she was 4 months and I know it seems ages, but it went so quickly!!

I would give httj a go and see how you get on.  She may be a quick learner   

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[jessmered]

Sorry to butt in on your thread, but I am new and trying to read as much as I can and get the hang of this.....
What is httj?
I think I understand the jolt part but what are you doing for your LO? just curious... thanks!

[mokey_cat]

When I had to hold my LO through the jolts (httj  ) I used to go into her room after ahe had been sleeping 25/30mins and apply pressure to her legs and chest - not too much just so her legs didnt go flying up when she jolted and I would do that for 20/30 mins until she was in a deep sleep again.  She used to jolt really bady between 35mins and 55mins so I had to be there for those.  She was swaddled anyway so her arms were pretty tight - I would really recommend swaddling if you dont already - escpecially a miracle blanket!!  They are sooooo good.  If she woke fully (sometimes she did) I would use shhpat to get her back to sleep if i could.

Hope that helps