WI/WO with 27month old

[Aishi]

Could it work? Dd (8month) is an independent sleeper now so thought I'd tackle ds (27month old) before dd sleep goes haywire!

Ds is angel/textbook/spirited. He could fall asleep independently but got very poorly with undiagnosed cmpi and i apoped him with several props...all weaned except he requires either myself or DH to lie next to him, cuddle but not to sleep.

I'd like to try WI/WO rather than GW cos dd is 8 months old and I don't have much time to invest in GW for his nap (same prop) as she wakes just after he starts his nap.

We also seem to be transitioning to one nap so have no nap days too. On those days he has EBT and falls asleep in less than 5 minutes but still with one of us next to him...on nap days i can take upto an hour to  fall asleep. would it be best to have a few days with no naps to do WI/WO?

Easy on no nap days

Wu 7.30-8.15
BT 6.45-7

Easy on nap days

Wu 6.30-7
nap 1-2 (45mins to hr- I cap or BT is affected)
BT 8-8.30 varies dependant on length of nap

Sorry for the long post- hope someone can help!!

[Truly Blessed]

Hello Honey,

I actually think because of his age WI/WO would be a good idea. Previously I have been a huge fan of GW but now that DS Sam is 2.5 he is pushing all the boundaries at BT and GW just meant once I got out the door the circus started again. I have just done WI/WO starting last week and we went from an hours BT circus to him not getting out of bed most nights. The only thing to consider is your DS is possibly/probably going to be very noisy and scream and shout so can you use 'white noise' for DD when she's sleeping 

With Sam I kissed him goodnight and left then as soon as he came to the door I put him back into bed and said 'sleepy time' and if he was upset I gave him a little kiss, so he knew I wasn't upset with him. It took only 6 nights to be done and dusted. Sam is textbook/spirited and was angel, so they'e probably similar personality's  . Expect him to have every excuse in the book at the ready, so I would recommend you make sure he has done a wee/tried for a poo/got a drink. He will no doubt have a bad tummy etc too.

I'm here to hold your hand or answer any questions you may have Hun.

x.

[Aishi]

Thanks hon I'll appreciate any help and hand holding I can get! I have white noise in dd room already cos they both light sleepers so no worries there...

He's not potty trained yet :/ so that's one less worry too lol. The only things I'm not sure about is what should I do if he doesn't leave his BBB but just cries- do I go straight in and say sleepy phrase? Should I cuddle? Do I repeat process in motn? At mo he sleeps with DH which I forgot to mention...

Also should I not give him a nap today as he woke up at 8.15 today and just try wi/wo for EBT at 7.15-7.30? If it works for no nap days will it work for nap days too or would we be back to square one?

And finally how many time Dyt I'll have to do it first night?

Sorry for all the questions!! x

[Truly Blessed]

Sorry for all the questions!! x

Not at all!

Is he still going to be sleeping with DH or is that what you're going to change now  Sorry need to know this before answering other questions really. Do you mean in the same room or in the same bed 

x.

[Aishi]

Same room same bed for now....x

[Aishi]

Actually motn won't be a prob if DH wih hi. He only wakes when alone between BT and midnight ish which is when I was wondering if I should continue wi/wo or just stay till he falls asleep...

Another question! We normally close his bedroom door so should I continue doing that and then go in when he needs me?

Thanks again for your help!

[Truly Blessed]

Hi again,

Okay so if that is the way it is for now then all you can do is work with the situation   .

The only things I'm not sure about is what should I do if he doesn't leave his BBB but just cries- do I go straight in and say sleepy phrase?

This depends on what kind of cry it is. I'm sure you know when he needs you and when he is just complaining and unhappy with the situation. The key is to trust your 'Mother's Instinct' on this Honey. If he isn't very upset then going back in can just prolong things, but it also depends on the LO's personality, so only you can know what to do. In short I'm not saying yes or no, just make that decision when you see what happens.

Do I repeat process in motn?

Yes, absolutely. But at NW LO's are sometimes upset if for eg: they've had a bad dream, so don't worry about staying a moment until he is feeling better, but I wouldn't stay until he is asleep, that's just the way I choose to deal with it, for consistency and to avoid any confusion in his head YK    but again judge each situation differently. The fact that he will be eventually going to sleep on his own should hopefully mean that before DH gets to bed if he wakes he will settle himself and after DH gets to bed, I guess you can rest assured that he won't be disturbing you, which is a bonus. Before he is fully sleep trained if he wakes and shouts for you because he is alone then I would definitely do the same as you did at BT. I would just bear in mind he may always shout for you if he wakes before DH is in bed because he is used to it  .

would it be best to have a few days with no naps to do WI/WO?

I would probably so no, unless he often goes several days with no nap. You want him well rested so he doesn't melt down really. And you don't know how many days it will take to get there. I'm a bit of expert on the 1-0 since DS started it in June  and we've had a nightmare. If your DS will go down earlier for his nap it may help because LO's start to need much longer in the pm to settle well at BT.  Often 6.5 hours at this age. But if you leave the nap time the same and extend the pm you end up with a long day and short night.

And finally how many time Dyt I'll have to do it first night?

LOL anyone's guess. With Sam is was 61 times back in bed and 39 minutes. Then the 2nd night was only 6 minutes so just prepared yourself for the long haul and anything else is a bonus 

Hope this answers all your questions for now.

x.

[Aishi]

Thanks Vicki- that's really helpful. The little monkey refusing to nap since he woke at 8-it 1 here so guess its no nap day today. Fx'd for tonight! x x

[Truly Blessed]

Good Luck! x.

[Aishi]

Last question I promise! Ds has total black out so when I do wo should I leave a little night light on so he won't be scared? x

[Truly Blessed]

when I do wo should I leave a little night light on so he won't be scared? x

I think this is an age where a night light is a good thing personally and from experience with others. So I would.

x.

[Aishi]

Hi Vicki

So last nigh was a disaster! Ds was hysterical on first wo- really upset not whining for attention my own fault he's never been without me- it took monhs before he let DH do BT routine and then DH decides he's not on board after all so guess its on hold for a while. I could do gw but DH does BT too and I don't think he'll follow through...oh well!

Thanks for your help and advice. At least I know what to do when time is right x x

[Truly Blessed]

Aaah I'm sorry to hear that Sweetie. I'm not surprised that DS was hysterical, it is generally the way in those circumstances, he has been used to something very different, so he was bound to kick back hard. It's what I expected you to say which is why I tried to give you a head's up  It's unfortunate that DH isn't on board because the 2nd night is usually already a lot better than the first, so if you could talk him round I'm sure you would see an improvement very soon.

(HUGS) Honey. We'll be here for you when the time is right 

x.