failed sleep training......need advice

[chubbymomie2012]

I have an almost 9 month old who I posted about a few months ago as he was wakening every hour, i was considering controlled crying but the response was horrific and i was talked into this non crying thing were I brought him back to bed with us (much to my OH disgust i add) DISASTER now yes he sleeps for 3-4 hours at a time but we dont. he lies in awkward positions he thumps kicks allsorts. and hes awake at 0530 for the day and cos im off work i get up then too. I'm sooooooooooooo tired i have aged 10 years in the last 6 months and im toonwrecked to do anything with the other 3 kids. please help. i'm going to start controlled crying tonight. I need to do something. can u tell me how to start or give me tips. The room he is in is one he shares with his older brother who is 2. please help.......

[lorisparkle]

There are other methods to teach children to sleep than controlled crying or co-sleeping. At 9 months we started the gradual withdrawl / gradual retreat with DS1 and although takes a while worked well for us and is particularly good when they share a room.

What we did.....

First night we held DS to sleep on our laps, rocking and signing to him. We did this for three nights. Then we held up on our laps without rocking. Then we sat holding him whilst he was in the cot. Then we sat next to the cot, then near the cot, then near the door, then out of the door.

We bought a book called 'Teach your child to sleep' by the Millpond Clinic. Best thing we ever did!

[chubbymomie2012]

hi Lorisparkle, thanks for the tip. what did u do then when the wee one woke up in the night?

[lorisparkle]

Oh yeah, sorry forgot that part! To begin with we picked him up gave him a cuddle and held him until he fell asleep. Once he was really established at going to sleep in cot by himself we sat by him holding his hand. I found he slept for an extra hour at a time and this increased by another hour or so at a time every week or so. It is certainly not a quick fix but I found I could be fairly flexible if he was ill or we were on holiday and then quickly go back through the stages again. Friends did CC, found it traumatic but then had to do it again and again whenever the DC was ill, they came back off holiday etc. I am a soft touch!

My firm belief is that you have to do what feels right for your family! Good luck!