Hi, My DS is 14 mo and has been recovering from vacation OT and routine disruption. I was thinking that WI/WO would be an appropriate strategy, as in my mind, he knows how to fall asleep independently. However, I read the comparison of WI/WO vs. gradual retreat and realized that I have always sat quietly by his crib for a few minutes after I put him in, so, in that sense he is used to my presence.
If you do the gradual approach, it sounds like you say your phrase to your child from farther and farther away, until you are out of sight, then out of the room. Do you skip doing PD at all? Just rely on your voice?
My DS has always been prone to EW, and when his schedule is disrupted, he’s prone to long (90 minute NW). Recently, I have taken to abandoning futile-feeling PDs and simply lying on the floor resting during these times, using my phrase to remind him to lie down and go to sleep, but actually doing PD much less often. I know that when his second wind takes his course his body will calm and he’ll go to sleep. I get a little bit of protest, but not much. It seems like this might naturally lend itself to taking the gradual approach to BT also.
On the other hand, he has always had a blanket draped over the side of his crib (I know this is unusual, I hope it isn’t bad?) so he can only see me if he stands up. So, if I took the WI/WO approach, it wouldn’t be all that big of a change (unless I would be supposed to let him watch me walk out of the room? That definitely does upset him).
Related question about winding down - DS used to be very sleepy before I put him into his crib. Recently, DS has had more trouble settling in my arms and has started asking for me to put him in his crib. This seems like a step in the right direction except that using my previous PD approach,it has taken 1-2 hrs every night for him to go to sleep!!! (The OT and disrupted routine play some role in this, I know). As a result, he’s never going to bed at a reasonable hour – and I’m Very frustrated. As of last night, I finally started making him settle most of the way in my arms again (he had already stopped resisting quite as much). I’m hoping that once the routine his solidly reestablished maybe he will be able to wind down more independently again. Is this reasonable? Or do I have the wrong idea?
....I love the idea that one day soon, we might have a set routine in which the routine, rather than alertness level determines when I put him into his crib and walk out (ex: 2 books, 2 songs, good night kiss, into bed. Or maybe the final song while he’s in bed). I imagine him being calm, but not necessarily consistently feeling the sleepy vibe by the end of this each night. Is this reasonable? And is there anything else I need to know in order to get there?
Thanks so much!
