Sleep training..?

[scarlett27]

Hello everyone

Haven't posted for a while but got some great advice previously so hoping for some tips..

My daughter is 8 months and absolute dream day to day ...

But she is the worst sleeper.. ever since she was a newborn she has woken through the night every 2 hours (since 6 months I maybe get a 3 hour stretch if I'm lucky.) Then when she wakes it takes at least an hour to get her back down. By which time I'm wide awake and it takes me forever to fall asleep..when like clockwork she wakes up!

She's healthy and super happy and loves her food. Weaning did improve things for about 4 weeks she would go maybe 5/6 hours but then she came down with a cold and we were back to the same situation and we've never managed that long again. Quite frankly I'm exhausted 😕

Above all the main problem is - and I take full responsibility for this habit - is that I can only get her to sleep in her pram (lying flat) I have to rock her in there to sleep..and this means I'm sleeping on the living room floor next to the pram and have been for the last 4 weeks 😩

Before you judge me as the worst parent ever I'm a lone parent and have been since I found out I was pregnant, that isn't an excuse I know that it's a terrible habit but frankly if I can get an hour on the floor that's better than nothing at all!!

I'm going back to work next month and I'm stressing I can't carry on like this. We BOTH need better sleep and I'm ready to do some sleep training.

Is cry it out horrific? I met someone who did it and said was awful for a week then the best thing they did. I've NEVER let my daughter cry for more than like 30 secs without comforting her- I literally hate hearing her upset. Any other ideas or tips ?

And the pram situation how do I get her into the cot without us both having a meltdown?!

I'm sure this has been asked a million times and sorry for long post but I'm desperate especially knowing I have to go back to work so soon 😩😩😩 thanks guys xxx

[beckieperk]

It's a big step from 30 secs of tears to cio. And there areuch gentler ways to sleep train if you feel you need to do it. Sush pat. Gradual withdrawal. And many more. Research and experiment. See which you dc responds well/best to. I wouldn't use cio but that's just personal choice. I agree you need to create some kind of new positive sleep association before you start back at work. The sooner you start the better.
Can you perhaps take the pram top off the pram and put it in her room or wherever her cot is? Or is it a buggy style pram?
Perhaps start with daytime naps in the cot??
Have you tried anything different?

[DarcyParty]

I would start by trying to put her down in the cot for her naps. Can you get her out of the pram without waking her up and put her in there while she's asleep?

[JiltedJohnsJulie]

You say you’ve been doing this for 4 weeks, where did she sleep before scarlett?

[arbrighton]

There's a big sleep regression around this age

[babayagga]

I don’t think you are a terrible parent- you are heroic for coping on your own and doing whatever works for your daughter to sleep, including sleeping on the floor yourself! My partner and I are first-time parents taking care of a four-month-old together, and some days we feel like we’re barely coping. Right now, I am in a room by myself, having left DD with him because I wanted to 1) eat something and 2) not listen to crying for a few minutes. Unfortunately, I’ve come to this thread because I am also seeking answers on sleep-training, so I have no suggestions. But it broke my heart to read that you blame yourself for having a bit of a messy sleep situation, when you should be very proud for getting this far on your own

[crazycatlady5]

There is a huge sleep regression at 8–10 months, i know it’s horrific, I was there 8 months ago myself, it’s awful. But the truth is your baby is being normal, she isn’t a bad sleeer and she isn’t doing anything wrong. It passes and gets easier with time.

[Magpiefeather]

Oh I feel for you OP. I would start by trying to transfer her to her cot when she is asleep as a PP says. I know that feels risky after spending so long getting her to sleep.

Also do you have a white noise machine? My hummy is great as it kicks in again when they stir. Helped mine drift back off between sleep cycles.

I am also more of a gentle parenting persuasion, but out of desperation tried CC (could never do CIO). It was too much for me and DD. So I am now doing gradual retreat aka the disappearing chair. It is going so well. If you are thinking of sleep training perhaps have a look at this and some other gentler methods as it sounds like it might be a better fit for you and your daughter. All the best, it sounds like you are doing an incredible job.

[FizzyPeaches]

Firstly, you are NOT a terrible parent, at 8 months we got into the exact same cycle of using the pram to get our little one to sleep, I remember being awake in the night for hours, rocking the pram up and down the room, it was a killer, so I really hold my hat off to you that you are going it all alone and sleeping on the floor too.

We got our little one out of the habit by just placing her in the cot and sitting with her, I put one hand on her and tried to say calming things. She did cry, but I was right there with her so it wasn't as harsh as CIO. It took about 3-4 nights of doing this, every time she would sit up I'd lay her back down and she eventually got the message and will go to sleep in her cot. Maybe try something like that :)