crying technique not worked on my 8 month old

[mama_eve]

My 8 month old girl has only slept thru 4 times because she was getting up for milk. Im suffering from post-natal depression so the endless sleepless nights is driving me insane. My H.V suggested that a H.V who specialises with sleep problems in children should get involved. I met with her and she suggested i try the crying technique which means i leave her to cry for 5 mins, then 10 mins, then 15 mins and continue at 15 mins until she falls asleep on her own (which is the problem). The first 2 nights she fell asleep on her own after crying for 1 hour but went down hill on night 3 & 4 because her bottom teeth were coming through and now she wakes up 1,2,3 every night ( not from teething) and still takes her 1 hour to fall asleep. Im perservering but it's approaching 2 weeks now and still no improvement. H.V says that is usually works in 3 days but can take up to 2 weeks and i shouldne give up now and be strong. What else can i do i'm beginning to lose motivation and energy and cannot see an end to this despite my efforts. I hoped that she would have learnt by now. Please help Im going back to work in 2 weeks!! :cry: 

[Johno & Aurelias Mum]

This method is calld controlled crying and I know its recommended by most UK HVs.  I have to say I really don't know why.  I can see how it would work with older children, say 3 and up where there's more to it than sleep.  However, with babies I think its horrid and I think that's a view Tracy shared.

I can't honestly understand how it would work with babies who don't have the cognitive powers to work out what you are doing, to them it must seem like they've been abandoned.

Anyway, enough of my spouting.  The BW method does not involve leaving the baby, it does involve crying and being very firm about sleeping in their bed.  If you would like to know how to do it, I would suggest getting Tracy's third book and reading the sleep interview at the top of the sleep issues forum.

[ktmum]

I think Controlled crying is supposed to work by -
If you leave your baby to cry CIO they reach a peak of crying where mum cant take it any more so goes back in. With CC you go back whatever the level of crying after certain time points so baby know you will come back just not when ie if i rech this volume of screaming mum will come. you then settle them down til they are calm and leave again.
to be very honest i know its not one of tracys methods but it did work for me but i think you are right that in younger babies they cant understand the process.
Ailah

[ktmum]

P.s if you are suffering from PND which i did then CC can be very hard on youxx

[SandyGal]

Every baby is different and the HV's techinque may not work for your baby. One thing is for sure... you have to be consistent. If you want to try the BW way, you are going to have to start over a bit and rebuild some trust. The first thing you have to do is decide if you want to give baby whispering a try because you may have to ditch the HV's help. The conflicting methods will be very confusing to your lo. Reading Tracey's book and or some of the sleep interviews and/or PU/PD methods will give you an idea of the way BW methods go compared to what the HV is having you do. It is your decision, you have to do what seems right to you and for your baby.  :wink:

[mama_eve]

Massive thanks for the quick response girls!...nice to know that you're out there. I wanted to ask what is PU/PD? Ive just ordered Tracy's new book and not familiar on the abbreviations yet. Is there something...anything I can try tonight before the book arrives? 

[SandyGal]

Hey there!

I responded to your PM. I hope you get the message. PU/PD is Pick-Up/Put-Down. It will be helpful to know where you are at now... how is ds doing the past couple of nights?