Crying baby...

[jzm]

So I am trying to get 4 month lo to take better naps.  We just recently got off schedule, so thankfully we are not too far behind.  I reread BW and interviews.

Here is the deal... when I put her down she cries and goes into full scream.  (I am following EASY, with recommended awake time)

What I know:
1. BW does not advocate 'crying it out'
2. BW does advocate 'pick up/put down'
3.  understanding that it take 20 minutes for a baby to fall asleep. 

That being said, when do I start the pick up/put down?  WiIthin the 20 minutes that she is falling asleep?  Am I supposed to let her cry for the 20 minutes.  Do I avoid putting her on the breast to calm her down (obviously not fall asleep)?

So stressed....  I hate hearing her cry...

Julie

[Spectra]

If memory serves me correct you are suppose to pick up once you hear the crying intesifying.  For me that could be within 1min of me putting her down.  Mine is over 3 months old.  Then as soon as I put her down from picking her up I do the shush/pat technique.  Or because she doesn't sleep on her tummy I do shush (long shush's) and rub her tummy/chest.  She may cry a little bit but I wait about 1min to see if she calms down or if she intensifies.  If it gets louder I pick up and put down again and repeat the shushing.  Usually for me I only have to do it once, then I shush and rub her tummy, I continue this as she quiets down, then starts to stare off into space then eventually closes her eyes.  Then I slowly stop shushing and stop rubbing her tummy and I get up when I think she is asleep.  This for me takes about 5min max.  Hope that helps.

About putting her on the breast to calm her down I am not exactly sure.  I never had to do that for my LO.  Perhaps someone else has the answer to that.

[jzm]

Hi Stacey, thanks for the info.  I have followed baby whisperer pretty closely and it has gone very well.  I feel like I can easily distinguish her cries etc...We have only stepped back in terms of these naps.

She is a great sleeper, I often have to wake her.  She is a good eater - we have been eating every couple of hours if she has a poor afternoon nap day and every 3 on a normal day.  We have a good night night routine and I have started a better nap routine after reviewing the website. 

I think I have been trying to encourage her to take a nap, given her typical schedule, too early.  I will be more vigilant when looking for signs of being tired.

You definitely cleared up the 20 minutes thing.  I feel much better.  She does cry some when I put her down and if she were to scream I would definitely go right it.  Assuming she is not screaming I have been and probably will continue to let her cry for about 10 minutes and then do shhh pat, etc...

Thanks

[jzm]

Ugh!  Guess I am farther off BW than I thought.  I will go reread the interviews again.  I appreciated the link - any more you can suggest?

Will keep track of what is going on over the next few days. 

The email address at the bottom with your sig. can I contact you on that or would you perfer I contact you this way.  Either is fine.  THanks for your assistance Stacy.

Julie

[ainsleysmomma]

If you do not mind me asking what does BW mean?  I am new to this site.

[Marisa's Mom]

If you do not mind me asking what does BW mean?  I am new to this site.

I believe BW refers to the Baby Whisperer books by Tracy Hogg and Melinda Blau, and the techniques discussed in those books.

[jzm]

I can't believe I forgot to mention this, Stacy.  My lo was born 5 weeks early!  (I actually love that I forgot, because I was so obsessed and sad with her being early for so long.)

Can you send me one more post and let me know if this changes your rec.  Would our 3 easy be OK then?

Thanks again!

[jzm]

Hi Stacy.  So I read, re-read, and re-re-re-read all the sleep interviews as well as your suggestions.

It is going Ok... consistent 3hr EASY seems fine.  Ally sleeps in her carseat due to severe reflux so patting tough (new meds are working great so will likely transition out of carseat this week).  I have been keep a hand on her and standing there while she goes through the sleep cycle.  I am not doing pu/pd - she is going to sleep in about 20 (no more than 30) minutes (with my physical presence).  THat is fine right?  If I thought she was going to get hysterical I would do pu/pd.

SO my next question ( I am sure you can guess what it is...) what do I do when she has fallen asleep near a feed?  Since she could be on a 4hr EASY (she is 4.5 months with corrected age of just under 3.5 months) I am giving her the extra time (up to a half hour).  I think that is OK, but really my head is spinning from reading everything.  Essentially, I am supposed to interrupt her sleep, feed her, low-key activity for 10 minutes, and start the entire process over again, huh?  At what point do I make the decision to wake her or let her sleep.

Everything is going well - but of course I am exhausted.

THanks for your continued support.

Julie

[jzm]

guess a follow up q would be - is an hour considered a sufficient nap?