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Behaviour/development

HlboQ nuqDaq  yuch Dalpol

6 replies

AJBthesecond · 22/03/2013 18:22

That's 'help me, where do you keep the chocolate?' in Klingon.

The gorgeous creature is five months old and a happy, chatty, smiley little chap. We have coslept on and off since birth which has worked well for us both. Then week 17, the sleep regression hit and cosleeping became a more permenant arrangement. All good so far, but the sleep has started to improve slightly leading me to make the discovery that he will only sleep on me. During the day this is no problem, perfect opportunity to read a book, gaze adoringly wondering how I created such a divine being or pick cradle cap. I've got nothing better to do, the vacuuming has waited this long another couple of years won't hurt. However I would really like to be able to settle him in the evening. He falls asleep easily enough with bath, massage, boob routine and I wait for limp limbs before the transfer. But without fail he wakes up and starts to whimper. Sometimes it takes a full ten minutes til he wakes (for which I'm really grateful). I settle him again and the process repeats, I rarely try more than twice - very conflict averse you see. If left on my chest he'll twitch for a dream feed at ten the sleep for four or five hours. So all in all he's mostly bliss but i could really do with that couple if hours in the evening not being stuck under a baby. I could talk to my husband or watch masterchef or wonder why I procrastinated so long about travelling to Vietnam and now won't get to do it til I'm sixty.

I know I know, it a phase and it will pass, I guess I'd just like some reassurance from someone on the other side of the phase or any magic hints or tricks that might help.

Ramble over

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Twattergy · 22/03/2013 18:53

Not sufficiently fluent in Klingon to reply in kind but...ok if you want him to learn to settle not attached to you you need to be willing to put about 45 mins effort in on night one, maybe 30 mins night two and much less thereafter. Read Andrea Grace sleep tips. Basically you put baby in cot after you usual routine and when they grumble you stay with them, hand on back or tum, making soothing noises but not picking them up or feeding them. They will toss and turn a bit and likely cry on and off.but you are always with them so they are never scared, just a bit confused by the new routine. Settling could take up to an hour first time you try this but it will get shorter each time. I was always amazed by ds ability to adapt to changes in routine. A bit of perseverance on your part will pay off.you deserve to have an evening to yourself now and I promise you your baby does have the ability to fall asleep not on you (totally love the day time sleeps with baby on mummy though just like you!)

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AJBthesecond · 02/04/2013 08:52

Bump.

No really keen on formal sleep training a would like to avoid sobbing if possible. Ta.

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ThreeBeeOneGee · 02/04/2013 08:56

ylghoSDo'

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ArabellaBeaumaris · 02/04/2013 09:31

I don't think you will change this without a bit of tears tbh.

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drinkyourmilk · 02/04/2013 09:37

You are comfortable with settling him, then putting him down in his cot. However you do this a max of twice in a row.
What would happen if you kept going all evening? Maybe he would gradually learn to self settle knowing you are right there? Just try it for 7 nights and see if things improve.

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JimbosJetSet · 02/04/2013 09:42

DD was the same... I didn't want to go down the sleep training route either. It was a phase - a long phase - but after a while she did start sleeping on other surfaces other than my chest. She is 2 now and won't/can't sleep anywhere apart from a proper bed now. I had months of being told I was making a rod for my own back etc but I wasn't. And I look back at the days of her sleeping on my chest with fondness.
DS is 6 months now and has never wanted to sleep on my chest, Im quite sad about that!

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