To try sleep training

[Holidaytime86]

DD 6 months has never been a good sleeper. However at 4 months, the regression hit and since then it has only got worse. She was EBF although I have just started weaning and have tried introducing a bottle of formula this week at night to see if it helps.

She wakes every 45 mins through the night and the only settles when back on the boob. Rocking, shushing, cuddling, and patting does not help. We follow wake times and she naps well in the day either in her pram or car seat. She has a clear bedtime routine of bath, story, singing, feed then sleep. We currently co sleep as well for ease but this means I’m in bed with her at 7.30 every night.

I’m looking at either CC or CIO.

We did controlled crying, I couldn't do cry it out personally. It was hell at the time and took maybe 3 weeks of me sat on the floor on the landing crying and feeling stressed every night.

BUT it was the best thing we ever did. DDs have been great sleepers since then (obviously with blips due to sleep regressions or illness etc) but as long as they weren't unwell we returned to CC methods and they got back into it within a few nights.

They are 6 and 3 now and happy, bright things with a good sleep routine and DH and I got our evenings back.

Please don't try sleep training, people who have used it make it sound like the answer you've been looking for. What it does is teach your baby that they can't rely on you for comfort or when they're sad, so they don't cry because they don't expect anyone to come. Babies that young can't just "learn" to happily self soothe and get themselves to sleep, it is not possible. Like I said, all they learn from sleep training is that no one will come.

My baby is 9 months old, was EBF until
3 weeks ago and he woke up hourly for weeks and weeks and weeks. He is now sleeping much better. A few things helped:

1. moving him into his own bedroom. I think we were wakening him too through the night. It took a bit of time for us all to get used to it, but it definitely made a difference.
2. starting solids so he was fuller. We would do big feed, dinner, big feed before bed again.
3. making sure baby is napping enough through the day. Check out wake windows for their age. They need to nap well to sleep well at night.
4. white noise.
5. having a relaxing night routine that doesn't change, so is predictable for baby.

But honestly I think a lot about baby sleep is developmental and they just learn how to sleep better. Though what I mentioned above definitely helps.

People keep saying it will get better, but we’re 6 months in and it’s worse! Plus she won’t settle for anyone but me as it’s the boob she wants.
We’ve followed all the ideas suggested above apart from moving to her own room.

If she isn't in her own room then that should be your first move. She's old enough at 6 months.

CIO is cruel. She's on the young side for CC too.

6/7 months was the worst period for my baby's sleep. Rolling, crawling, teething, early weaning, nap transition... So much going on, it's bound to affect their sleep. We also suspected silent reflux, which DS was treated for, but not entirely sure how effective this was.

Thankfully at 10mo he is now sleeping through to 5/6am most nights. I haven't changed anything, but he is on a pretty consistent 2 nap routine as well as 3 meals a day.

I'm glad we stuck it out without sleep training, but you have to do what's best for you and your family.