STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

small fry · Chanel

tips, advice on getting baby to get his self back to sleep

Elle · Hermes

All I can offer is the collective wisdom of my mom-friends, but hopefully it helps!

I think at his age Rowdy would be physically able to sleep through the night or soothe himself if he wakes up. How you want to go about that is up to you - some people can tolerate crying more than others. I hear that usually the first week is hard, and then it generally gets much easier from there. From what it sounds like with Rowdy - that he just has a little trouble soothing himself - it would likely be a pretty quick transition. And if you going in to rub his back doesn't upset him further and makes you feel better about not leaving him to cry, I'd maybe think about trying that for a week or so, going in after 5 minutes to check and console him, waiting 10 minutes before going in again if he's still crying, then waiting a little longer, etc. If he's already sleeping through some nights and is able to put himself back to sleep some nights then think of helping him self-soothe as teaching him a skill that will serve him very well in the long run!

As for the paci, that's your call! I have a few friends that did away with it at night when they tried to get rid of the night wakeups and it worked fine, and others that threw 10 pacis in the crib at night so the kid would surely be able to find at least one. An still others replaced the paci with another item, like a special stuffed animal (though I'm not sure how young having stuff like that in the crib with them is allowed?).

Good luck! It really sounds like you're already on the right track!

blink · Coach

Neither of my boys slept all the way through the night consistently until around 15-18 months.

When they woke up, I would either nurse them or just rock them and shush them back to sleep, wrapped snugly in a blanket. Later on, I would try to just cuddle them and rub their back and try to pay attention to cues that they were going to fall back asleep.

ayo · Coach

Jo did this for a little while too...I think especially because I was still nursing and she was looking for the boobies for comfort. In any case, I say keep doing what you are doing but you need to give it a little bit of time (for Jo it took about a week and a half) he will eventually get the hang of it.
Meanwhile, trust me it is a BLESSING he is refusing the pacifier. I just got Jo off hers 2 weeks ago and it has been a nightmare... (I need the pulling hair out smilie) :) (there she goes ----->

)
so it is tough now but it is for the best!

-- Edited by ayo at 20:20, 2008-11-19

Cricket · Gucci

If it were me, I wouldn't force the binkie. Once they get hooked, they can be the worst thing to break. You think it's heartbreaking to hear him cry now? Wait until he's older and you have to take it away. UGH. My babies always refused them, which irritated me at the time, but after a while, I was glad.

I think you're on the right track and are doing all you can do. Just give it a little more time and hang in there, Mama!

small fry · Chanel

Thanks ladies for your help. You helped me realize not to give in. I think we are on a great start b/c he has slept through for the past two night!!! biggrin

I have not had a full night sleep in such a long time. Soon we hope to move baby Rowdy to his brothers room, they will be sharing a room! I too am glad he does want the paci anymore just one less thing to take away later.

-- Edited by small fry at 10:21, 2008-11-20