I’m on day 4 of PU/PD and feeling a bit confused and unsure of myself. Posted on here a couple of months ago and got some great advice so I’m back again!
LO is 6.5 months old and has always been rocked to sleep. I’m returning to work in 6 weeks so knew I had to break this habit. Decided on PU/PD as CIO is definitely not for me, and I didn’t seem to be getting anywhere with gradual withdrawal.
Day 1 – first nap was awful, took 74 PU/D and 2 hours before he passed through the tiredness and came out the other side, and was wide awake again. Tried again for 2nd nap, poor thing must have been exhausted, asleep within 5mins. Bedtime, took half an hour. Great.
Day 2 – seemed to be getting the hang of it, wasn’t taking too long and crying wasn’t too bad.
Day 3 – first nap, great. Second nap, awful. Bedtime, great.
Day 4 – naps and bedtime awful. He is getting so upset, I can’t bear it. I have never left him to cry, even for a minute, so I’m finding it really tough. Bedtime took about an hour, until I put white noise next to his ear then he fell asleep straight away. I don’t really know whether I should be picking him up or just trying to settle him in his cot. Picking him up settles him but as soon as I put him down he is so upset, I wonder if it’s just making him worse. I do try settling him in between PU by resting my hand on his chest and sssshhhhhhhhhhhhhh.
I'm just unsure what to do, so when I just do the hand and shushing, but he doesn't seem to be settling I feel really bad for him and start PU/PD for a while. Then when he gets so upset every time I put him down, I end up thinking ok this is making him worse and go back to just hand and shushing in his cot. I know I need to pick one and stick to it... I just don't know which one! Should I persevere with PU/PD or just leave him in the cot unless he gets totally hysterical?
If it makes a difference, his cries today are like REALLY LOUD deafening yelling cries, but there are tears. Any advice welcome!