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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To pay for a sleep consultant for my baby?

124 replies

Rowenleaves · 05/08/2016 17:07

My baby is 4 months old and his sleeping is pretty bad. He will only fall asleep if I feed him and can wake up to 6 times in a night. I've tried different things but nothing works for long.

Has anyone had any success with a sleep consultant? I've heard mixed things about them.

OP posts:
Doyoufeelluckypunk · 05/08/2016 17:11

I think it's probably a bit early for a sleep consultant. Four months is a classic age for sleep regression as baby grows and develops.

MiniCooperLover · 05/08/2016 17:11

I don't actually think falling to sleep feeding at 4 months is awful? How much does he feed each time? Is it a tiny amount or does he seem to need it?

BastardBernie · 05/08/2016 17:11

I think if you can afford it why not; I hope all goes well bump

Stargirl82 · 05/08/2016 17:13

I haven't got any advice I'm afraid but I totally sympathise. I've finally got ds2 down to sleep between 9-10 and then he's up again at 3. And from the time he gets up at 3 to getting up time he has an oz, sleeps a bit more has and oz sleeps again so we are co sleeping for that part of the night x

Stargirl82 · 05/08/2016 17:13

I haven't got any advice I'm afraid but I totally sympathise. I've finally got ds2 down to sleep between 9-10 and then he's up again at 3. And from the time he gets up at 3 to getting up time he has an oz, sleeps a bit more has and oz sleeps again so we are co sleeping for that part of the night x

Stargirl82 · 05/08/2016 17:13

I haven't got any advice I'm afraid but I totally sympathise. I've finally got ds2 down to sleep between 9-10 and then he's up again at 3. And from the time he gets up at 3 to getting up time he has an oz, sleeps a bit more has and oz sleeps again so we are co sleeping for that part of the night x

Stargirl82 · 05/08/2016 17:14

Sorry it said it hadn't posted!

RosieandJim89 · 05/08/2016 17:17

There is a growth spurt at 4 months which is linked to sleep regressions. I would wait it out a little longer.

babyblabber · 05/08/2016 17:19

I used one and it was the best money I've ever spent in my entire life!

But, afraid 4 months is too young. What you describe is normal (awful, I know, I've been there, twice). My consultant only works with babies who are over 6 months and established on solids.

Original poster
Rowenleaves · 05/08/2016 17:31

Okay thanks. He is feeding for quite a bit when he wakes and then sometimes wakes when I put him back in the cot so it's exhausting.

I'm going to try and sort out his daytime naps as he tends to do them on me after I feed him or in his pram on a walk. He doesn't like his cot during the day.

I'll wait and see if it improves and consider again at 6 months.

OP posts:
CheeseDreams · 05/08/2016 17:47

We used one when dd was 20 months and it was the best £400 I've ever spent. She had never in her whole life slept through and she do slept too. Within a month she was in her own bed in her room and sleeping 7pm - 7am.

Agree with what others have said thought about 4 months being a bit too young though. Happy to give you the details though if you want to use them in the future.

Keep going, it sounds like you are doing a fantastic job. It's bloody exhausting but this stage won't last forever xx

CheeseDreams · 05/08/2016 17:47

Co slept! Not do slept!

milpool · 05/08/2016 17:53

He sounds normal to me.

Babies aren't meant to sleep for long stretches at that age, particularly if they're breastfed.

Cally70 · 05/08/2016 17:57

I know of a few people that worked with a sleep consultant when their babies were 4-6 months old. It worked for them & saved their sanity. Pm me if you'd like a recommendation (they all worked with the same lady)

Hedgeh0g · 05/08/2016 18:09

Best money I ever spent, but agree with others, not at 4 months. You're right in the middle of a sleep regression, you might find it gets better all by itself. We got one in at 6 months, when sleep got worse not better, and it was so worth it.

StrawberryMummy90 · 05/08/2016 19:56

OP - Flowers I've been there I know how draining it is! I used Nicola Watson at child sleep solutions when DD was 6 months and echo what other posters have said, it was the best money I've ever spent and I would recommend her. She was around £200 can't remember exactly.

But like others have said I would maybe wait until baby is 6 months, unless you're really struggling and it's causing depression etc then go for it if you can afford it!

NewtoCornland · 05/08/2016 21:01

Cally70 can you pm me please? My 4.5 year old is bloody horrendous, up at least 4 times a night, and I'm reaching the end of my tether tbh 😭😭

DaftPunkIsPlayingAtMyHouse · 05/08/2016 21:12

Well within the normal range of behaviours at that age. I was ready to throw money at the situation after five months of no sleep, but by six months DS sorted himself out thank fuck

Chinashoes · 05/08/2016 21:13

Before paying I would speak to your health visitor. I did this last week and was amazed to be offered a home visit and a sleep consultation. Apparently they have been trained by the institute who wrote Teach Your Child to Sleep. I'm not sure if this is only available in some areas but certainly worth asking.

Rozdeek · 05/08/2016 21:14

I've just engaged one who came highly recommended as my 5 month old is driving me barmy. I don't mind the night wakings but he is ridiculously hard to settle for naps and bedtime and I am slowly losing my mind.

Bumpkin2 · 05/08/2016 21:18

I used one when my daughter was 10 months old. She went from awake every hour to sleeping 8 hours straight on the first night, and I didn't have to leave her alone crying either. Best £90 i've ever spent! She does Skype consultations too.

cowbag1 · 05/08/2016 21:20

A friend of ours used one for her 4mo a few months back. The advice worked but it wasn't anything she couldn't have read about on the interent and tried.

I don't think these consultants have any miracles up their sleeve, they just give parents the confidence to put well known solutions into practice and see them through.

I personally think they're a waste of money unless money is no object to you.

Cocochoco · 05/08/2016 21:21

Oh don't ask anyone. Just do exactly as you please.

Dontyoulovecalpol · 05/08/2016 21:22

Can't you get age appropriate ones? What are they going to do that you cant do before 6 months?

KitKat1985 · 05/08/2016 21:24

I sympathise - I really do. DD was the same except she would also only sleep for 45 minutes max at a time at night unless she was being held. And then could easily take 2 hours to fall asleep again. I nearly lost my mind with her. But 4 months is still very young and a lot of sleep consultants won't work with babies that young. If you can hold out another couple of months it might be better.