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PUPD question - what should I expect?

12 replies

NeuroMum · 25/09/2008 13:13

DD has stopped being able to self settle to sleep. Don't know how it happened, but there we are.

Anyway, since her grumbley cries have turned into full on angry type screams, we're very keen to do various types of no cry sleep solutions and I have devoured the book.

But my question is this, what should we expect with the pick up put down method? I tried this tentatively last night for about 30 mins and my back is killing me today!

Each time I bent slightly to put her down, she would start to cry, we only ever got her down on the mattress twice before having to pick her up again. That did seem like progress.. but then things got worse again. So we gave up and I fed her to sleep.

Should it be like this? Help from pupd experts and other interested parties please!

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francesrivis · 25/09/2008 19:37

How old is your dd? I did it with mine when she was 4 months (and had never self settled) and it worked like a dream. As I recall I did it through two nap times (she didn't sleep at all) and then in the evening she went straight to sleep on her own and has pretty much done so ever since. So it's worth perservering I reckon. I do know what you mean about the back pain though!

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pudding25 · 25/09/2008 20:30

Apparently, it can take an awful lot of pupds and a good week for it to work - but you have to really perservere.

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NeuroMum · 25/09/2008 20:33

Thanks both. She's 5.5 months. But shouldn't she be taking longer to get upset the more times I pick up and put down? I just wasn't expecting it to get worse...

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mookickkick · 26/09/2008 12:20

This week I started using PUPD for naps. She cries when she touches down and I pick her up again, but it does take less time with each successive round. Takes me 4-5 tries over 15-20 minutes with white noise -- this is key. I also chant in a monotonous voice and pat her back/bum while she's in my arms. Once down and asleep, I hang around and pounce on her when she starts stirring around 20 min and 35 min. Tummy rubbing and leg patting generally keep her asleep.

The process also kills my back, so I wear a back support thingy, which does help (though not 100%). Mine is by Futuro.

Keep perservering!

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peachsmuggler · 26/09/2008 20:17

The first night it took us 1 hour 40 mins but was never anything like that following nights. 4 weeks later and I can put her pretty much straight down after a feed. Somtimes with one pickup. The first night is the hardest. I should add that our DD couldn't self settle before so maybe if your DD could then she will be able to do it again quicker. Good luck!

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RogerOThornhill · 26/09/2008 20:27

PUPD worked for me at around 6 months I think. What to expect ... that the first night you may be there for a looonnnnng time pupd-ing like a yo-yo. No sooner do they touch the mattress and they are crying and up they come, stop crying instantly - and repeat x 100. You just keep going and going and going until they either conk out or the gaps get longer and longer. Think I did one night of about 1hr then 2 nights of 20 mins and then we were done! You have to commit to it otherwise you've wasted another bit of sleep and sanity if you give up after 30 mins, or after 2 nights.
Good luck!

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NeuroMum · 27/09/2008 13:01

Thanks all, I think i must have given up too early then. Going down for naps has been better the past two days, but still feeding to sleep at night. After she is over her latest cold will give pupd another go!

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OonaghBhuna · 27/09/2008 14:11

Ti took us four nights....3.5hrs first night 2.5hrs second night third night 45mins and then on the fourth 5 mins..... It works and its worth it.

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fromheretomaternity · 27/09/2008 16:45

I tried this the other night - he just got more and more upset whenever he was put down - in the end he was so exhausted he fell asleep in my arms one of the times I picked him up, then I put him down asleep. Haven't tried it since as I wasn't convinced that really taught him anything! Is it worth perservering even if he is screaming when put down? Is it best to try at nap time or during the night? (not sure I have the energy to try at nights, though will give it a go if it really might work).

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OonaghBhuna · 27/09/2008 17:13

We did the pupd and the ssh pat, they will scream but you are there with them constantly reassurring them. Its important to keep going otherwise if you stop midway its confusing for them.The baby whisperer explains it all if you stick to her guidelines it will work.

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peachsmuggler · 28/09/2008 11:31

I suppose it depends on how desperate you are. I thought DD might get hysterical but she didn't. I think it all depends on the temprement of the baby really.

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NeuroMum · 29/09/2008 12:11

OB, that sounds like hard work, but worth it. FHTM, that's exactly what happens with DD. Perhaps peachsmuggler is right and it does depend on the baby.

On a brighter note... just goes to show that these things tend to be a phase... put DD down awake last night. She did her 'riverdance shuffle' for a bit, then fell asleep! Amazing! (Could have totally jinxed this bit of good fortune by talking about it too early, but hey ho)

Slightly less amazing was the hysterical crying when she woke up an hour later, and then an hour after that. Don't know why she does this, she's been doing it for a couple of nights now. Any ideas anyone??

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