need help deciding which sleep training method to choose

[babyrose]

I get to the bottom of the stairs and he cries! I pick him up and settle him again keeping my hand on his back after I've placed him in his cot. The Las time when I put him down I kept on singing and kept my hand on his back he kept opening his eyes and eventually he got up. Sounds like ire making progress! 12 hrs wow that's great.

[Bex09]

Yes it is great, but I want that every night! lol. TBH I think she has other issues going on causing the NW, cos she used to STTN no problem even though I held her to sleep, she could always settle herself once she was asleep. We are weaning reflux meds and waiting for allergy testing too so it could be that, not sure. I guess we both just need to be strong and consistent, so easy to put them in your bed to get some sleep though hey? Good luck tonight.

[babyrose]

it must be hard with the reflux. ayden had colic really bad when he was born, it seemed to go on forever. do you have to wait long for the results?

he went to sleep ok at nap time today, tonight dh is putting him to bed as i type. have you started step 2 yet?

[Bex09]

Hi how are you getting on? Chloe isn't having her allergy testing until 10th Aug so we have a while to wait yet. Had a few unsettled nights with her so def something going on! The putting her down asleep (but only just) is going fine, a bit nervous of moving to putting her down awake though! Guess that is the next step though really. Have you started this yet?

[~ Vik ~]

Just wanted to let you know that I'm still checking in, but you ladies are doing a great job supporting each other

[babyrose]

We r still on step 1, is this ok? I just don't want to rush things.

[Bex09]

lol, I am the same and I am too chicken to put her down awake yet!!! I have tried so many times over this past year to do this and I know where it will go... she will stand up and start playing! She doesn't cry and if I PD she thinks it is a game and giggles If I leave the room then she cries, if I stay she plays. I have no ideas what to do then, so always end up back at stage 1 with holding her to sleep. Guess I need to give it a go soon as step 1 has gone great for a few days now. What are you doing next? Putting him down awake, but very drowsy?

[babyrose]

its not much fun when they think its a game! maybe try step 1 for another day? we got to step 2 today! i rocked til very sleepy put him down and kept singing and moved  away from the cot. he got up but i told him its sleepy time and he went to sleep with me singing. i couldnt believe it yipee!!

[~ Vik ~]

Babyrose, that is FANTASTIC! Well done you

The nice thing about gw is that it is gradual - so if you need to stay at one step for longer you can The trick is making sure that you're making progress over time, even if it's slow progress, yk?

[babyrose]

we just had another good step 2. i rocked him until sleepy put him down but yet again he kept getting back up. i rubbed his back and kept on singing, got sleepy then i took my hand away as he was shutting his eyes and kept singing. is this ok?

he has been waking up 45 mins to an hr after us putting him down, i know he is OT with the 2-1. how do we handle settling him? we usually pick him up and rock him, just settle him in the same way as we have been doing?

[~ Vik ~]

we just had another good step 2. i rocked him until sleepy put him down but yet again he kept getting back up. i rubbed his back and kept on singing, got sleepy then i took my hand away as he was shutting his eyes and kept singing. is this ok?

Absolutely! You're trying to break the rocking to sleep habit, and that's what you're doing If you need to rub his back to get him used to falling asleep in the crib that's fine! Over time you'll rub less and less, until you don't need to anymore. (although, fwiw, I still rub Dylan's back before he goes to sleep as part of our bedtime routine)

he has been waking up 45 mins to an hr after us putting him down, i know he is OT with the 2-1. how do we handle settling him? we usually pick him up and rock him, just settle him in the same way as we have been doing?

My only fear about rocking him to sleep when he wakes is that it might be counter productive to your gw at bedtime. It might take a bit longer, but I would try to settle in crib first (rub back and singing), and if that doesn't work I would do whatever step you're on to keep in consistent.

[Bex09]

Well done, that is fantastic! Right I wasn't planning on starting until I am off work but you have inspired me to try step 2 tomorrow. Wish us luck! If it doesn't work you go back to step one right?

[~ Vik ~]

If it doesn't work you can always go back a step and try again later - just don't go back so far that you're back to the original prop

[babyrose]

Bex09, start step 2 when u feel ure lo is ready but if it doesn't work just go back to step 1.
We attempted to settle ayden with singing and rubbing his back but it made him worse. DJ got him settled and put him in his cot awake and went to sleep.

[LindaB]

@ Vikki - Dylan's Mommy!

Thank you for outlining how you did your gradual withdrawl. We too need to start this. My DD, Maya is almost 13 months old. She too is rocked to sleep each night. The rocking is taking longer and longer now and the NW are becoming more and more frequent for cuddles and rocks. I am tired and fed up.

I will begin your rock withdrawl technique and see what happens. She's also rocked for naps and I know when she starts daycare in a few weeks the DCP will NOT be rocking her.

I am just frustrated and tired! thanks for your ideas!

Linda