What went wrong?

[Natural_Mama]

I have poured over all the boards, props, pu/pd, sleeping, EASY and I have gone terribly wrong with my angel baby. I am really exhausted and never get to sleep anymore. My DS is 20 weeks and DD is 2 1/2 yo and I get so tired that I can't sleep. My DS was sleeping like a champ from day 1. After the 1st week his naps went to 15,20 & 30 minute naps, but he was still sleeping at night. I can't remember how this all started, but I do know where we have been. At 10 and 11 weeks he was sleeping 10-12 straight, then poof 2-3 hour wakings. Ok, a GS, 1 week later and no change, still NW. So I cleverly thought i need to get him to go long w/o feeds at night again to get him to take more in the day, EBF. Worked, but I started using the paci to hold him off. Then we got going again, with every 1-2hour NW. Then more NW, so I thought BF right before BT was a prop, even though he was awake when I put him down. So now at nap and BT I settle him in bed w/ a paci, hoping to carefully wean the paci soon. 5 day ago I could get him to sleep just by laying him down settled, about 25% of the naps and 100% at BT, without the paci. The gentle removal tech then turned my DS into a "paci monster". He clings on to it for dear life and if it falls, even 30 min-2 hours, later he screams out for it. I have gone in after 1-2 hours and it is still in, occassionally sucking. A couple questions, we are on a flexible 3 hour EASY, should a transition? A few weeks ago he seemed less hungry at every feed, but I thought "he must eat during the day or he will not sleep." Is it too late? Can I get my angel back? How?

[Natural_Mama]

Oh, 1 more thing, I am thinking about doing the 3.5 hour EASY tomorrow and see how it goes, do I just jump right in? I read how to transition "A", but I do think he can handle that, I usually watch for signs of tiredness, but with feeding, do I just wait til the 3.5 if he isn't complaining?

[Yazzie]

Hey there hun, looks like you're going through alot, big hugs for you

I totally agree about transitioning as this might be the cause of some of your issues, at 20 weeks he's pretty ready for that, and as you're restructuring things I'd jump to 3.5 hr EASY and see how things go.

Let's attempt the transition first and then see what we'll do about the paci.

[Natural_Mama]

Thank you Things are better (seriously knock on wood) b/c usually when I say that, things go "wrong" again. But, after reading a lot about mother's experiences with MC (mantra cry) I decided to take the paci away for 1 nap and listen and observe (giving DS and myself a 20 minute window). And with me in his room with my hand on his chest, he went to sleep in less than 10 minutes. I did use a "fish aquarium" with lights and music to get his attention that it was time for sleep. I had begin using this since I started with him. I would turn it on when we used to rock and then used it as a que when I tought him to fall asleep in his crib. I am really hoping that he will continue on because he is taking his best naps ever and self-soothing during them and at night. I do think I will transtition to 3.5, but since he does have a cough I plan on feeding him at night if he seems to need a drink. I do think he can go all night without a feed once his cough is over. I will update

[Yazzie]

Great news hun, hope things keep going positive

I would really wait for a while about the night feeds, one night feed is really okay, good luck