Regression?

[Missie]

Hello,

We had amazing success in the last 3 weeks with sleep training my 13 month old DS.   
In that time he has gone from waking 3-4 times per night (each time for up to 40 minutes) and having a night-time bottle at approx 2am. Within one week the wakings were fewer and shorter, and by week 2 he had dropped the bottle, and was sleeping throught to 5am and in week 3 we had a complete week of sleeping solidly from 7.30 to 6.30/7.00 with no wake-ups.   
We made a few simple changes (bed-time bottle before bath, PD/gradual withdrawal and watering down night-time bottle) I am gratefull for all the tips and advice from the board, and I was about to post my sucess story in the hope that it would help others.

However.......for the last 2 nights things seem to have gotten bad again.  Ist night, was just 2 wake/ups and resettles - no major problem, but last night, he woke 3 times and was awake from 5.15 to 6.00am. I eventually gave him pain med - and he went back to sleep til 8am. I'm not sure if he is teething though, as he wasn't screaming, just a bit grumpy.

My question is, is regression like this common after 3 weeks? how should we handle it? and when should things improve again.

Thanks a lot

Missie

[macsmum]

sounds like regression, they like to keep us on our toes, just continue as you did before and try to avoid any feeding etc, and lo should revert back, if not then it could be you just need a schedule tweak, has anything changed during the day...

Emma

[Layla]

What does his day look like at the moment? I agree that it could be some regression (even 3 weeks later). I would continue with what you are doing & try to avoid bottles or other means of accidental parenting/props.

Layla

[Missie]

Thanks for your replies, yes I think it's probably regression. He's just had another two good nights sleeping through but waking at 6am. I bit earlier than I'd like, but at least I'm getting a full night's sleep. I'm being very careful not to revert to old bad habits. However do you think it's okay to bring him into our bed in the morning - not to sleep, but we all enjoy having a little play before getting up. Is this another bad habit??

His day routine hasn't really changed he goes to day-care, so his days are quite structured. He's having one nap of about 90 minutes, but he's being doing this for about 2 months.

I'm going to start stretching out his morning bottle (kind like what I did with the night-time one) so even if he wakes at 6, we'll chat and play until 6.15, or 6.30 and so on, until eventually he stops waking for it?

It's so great to have this board to bounce idea off

Missie
x

[Layla]

Not sure how to answer your question about bringing him into your bed in the morning. I don't think there would be a problem personally... i mean he's not continuing his night sleep and its only for some play time.... depending though how early it is. If you see a pattern in him waking earlier and earlier and you think its because of this then I would be cautious but otherwise I think its sweet that you can cuddle in the morning before all starting your day  . If you leave him in the cot instead, would he cry???

Good idea about waiting a little before offering the 1st bottle. Isabella wakes at 6ish and I've always waited about 30mins to offer food. Sometimes she won't have anything until 7ish but definitely not 1st thing. It teaches their stomach to expect food as they wake so waiting a bit is a good plan!

Good luck & keep us posted
Layla