I really didn't want to do it. And I'm even hesitant about posting it, because I know it's a really emotive issue. But, I am totally happy that I tried everything else: reading, singing, patting, patting the mattress, rocking, plus others... but nothing worked. And Jamie was crying for longer and longer, and waking up more and more frequently. We were all getting sleep deprived. And husband and a baby with sleep deprivation are just no fun at all!!!
So, thanks wens, for the tip about Silent Nights. Some girls from my Mums group had spoken glowingly of Dr Symons, so I decided to give it a go. My Goodness!
Jamie woke at 1.30am, so I fed him and then the fun started. As he's started to do, he just point blank refused to go back to sleep. I spent an hour and a half sitting by his bed, rocking, patting, hushing etc.
And, you know what? All it took was 45 minutes of controlled crying, then I fed him again and he was out to it. Today he has gone down for his naps with about 30 secs of whining. :0 :) :)
So, we are hibernating this week. I have cancelled all my engagements and Jamie and I are staying home and practicing going to sleep. I might even get some too!
Thanks to everyone for your suggestions and support. Here's a couple of photos taken this week of my little guy. He really is cute. When it's not bedtime, lol.
My baby is in a high chair! I think that's pumpkin all over his face ;).
I haven't decided whether to enter the Everyday Moments competition being run by FK at the moment. If I do, this will definitely be one of my layouts. Jamie has a little activity centre doggie. And he'd rather play with the wheels on it than anything else. That's it there, lying face down on the mat and he's having a great time playing with the yellow straps on the back of it.
Kathie
12 comments:
Kathie, vielleicht tröstet es dich ein bißchen, wenn du weißt, daß viele Mamas irgendwann vor Verzweiflung anfangen zu weinen, weil sie völlig übernächtigt sind! Und wie fertig es einen macht, das Kind so lange Schreien zu lassen. Willkommen im Club! Aber: es wird besser ;-). In ein paar Jahren lachst du darüber!
Liebe Grüße und "a big hug",
Britta
good luck with the controlled crying - hope it works well and quickly! and you can all get back to some sort of normality!
Very cute photos of Jamie too.
Nic xxx
He's grown so much since I saw him last, he's sitting - Yay!!
I'm so glad he's sleeping better for you.
I had trouble with Alex sleeping also, my Dr suggested Controlled Crying - I think it upset me more than Alex, but it worked almost instantly. I never had any trouble after that.
Oh Good luck Kathie.
It will upset you more than him I'm sure but they say only a couple of days and I have to say I made it to the same age with my son and then I tried it before I pulled the rest of my hair out.
Everyone kept telling me, at this age he should be sleeping at least a 6 - 8 hour block, so I did it.
Buy your hubby some ear plugs and may the force be with you.
Thinking of you!
Hi Kathie, best of luck with the sleeping, have confidence in yourself as you are a wonderful mother and whatever methods you decide to try is because you are a caring mum!
I think Controlled Crying is quite okay!! As long as you balance it with lots of cuddles and kisses when they are not crying.. which I have no doubt you do, as he is so cute!! Megan responded really well to it, and we have had no bed time problems since she was 6mths old.. anywhere we go she will go straight down now..
Best of luck with it, I think it sounds like your doing great!! Oh and YES your work is stunning you should enter!! And you'll love all the subjects, they are so much fun!!
Hugs
Rachxx
Good luck Kathie, and good on you for trying it!
He has grown oh so quickly!! And he is such a cutie pie!
Hi Kathie....he is such a cutie..and Im an advocate of controlled crying too...worked wonders with my eldest and I can proudly say all three of mine were fabulous sleepers..I would never suggest it to anyone though...I think its a decision every parent needs to reach on their own..its not for everyone....but so wonderfully effective.
I hope you all catch up on your sleep this week.
Mardi x
Sounds like controlled crying is working for you, which is great. It worked a treat with my eldest, but it did take a week of persisting for him to come round. Hope you get some sleep yourself as well.
Do what ever you need to do to get through the days! LOL I did it with Liam when he was 9 months old. Took 4 nights, on the fourth night he didn't even grizzle. The Ethy bug has taken quite a bit longer though. One thing I found (I used the method in Toddler Taming by Dr Greene, where you go in after 5 mins, calm them, then go out for 7, repeat and wait 9, then 11 an so on.) Ethan just would keep on screaming and the MCH Nurse suggested he was waiting for me to come back in, and to just let him cry which could take 45mins! THAT was hard! But we got there eventually. It is wonderful when they can wake at night, have a little chat to themselves then go back to sleep. Enjoy your week at home. Think of all that scrapping time while Jamie is getting sleeping practice ;) Thinking of you. xx
Those photos are so cute. I'm with you on the EM comp. I'm not a comp girl, but this one is quite me IYKWIM
I'm so glad you've decided to try controlled crying..it doesn't work for everyone, but I had great success doing it with Shaylah. I hope it works..and fast so you can catch up on all that lost sleep.
Mel xxx
i believe totallly in controlled crying - even if just for the sanity of parents. I think babies need to learn they are not the centre of the universe and especially when there are other kids involved, they can't be. Good on you for trying it (my boy is in his bed right now whinging his little heart out - he'll drop soon!). Hopefully you and Phil will get some more sleep :)
Nat
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