How important is sleep training? Will they get there on their own?

[minesarioja]

I was rigorous with DS1, putting him down for naps in his cot and working hard to get him to self soothe. I'm finding it harder with DD2 (8 weeks) because I haven't got the time to spend ages settling her. I often miss her tired window. At night she's not great and wakes at 0200 for a feed and again at 0430. After the latter feed she won't settle in her cot - wind? But I resort to taking her into my bed which isn't ideal. I'm keen to get good habits going and was wondering if you need to always work hard or will they sort themselves out eventually?

Not very helpful but I'm in the same boat as you - I worked really hard with DS1 and he became the best sleeper EVER . Would he have been a good sleeper anyway? Probably, but that's beside the point...

DS2 is 4wks and I'm aware I'm taking the easier option of cuddling/feeding to sleep as there isn't time to do otherwise. Fine now, as he's so little, but what about later?

I'm thinking that you go with the flow whilst keeping in mind what you want to achieve, and aiming for that whenever possible.

See, I told you it wasn't helpful

My advice is don't stress, do what works for you & DD and go with your instincts... each baby is different and IMHO there is no one-size-fits-all when it come to sleep.
8 weeks is soooo little! They all sort themselves out and from my experience there's not a lot you can do to 'shape' what sort of sleeper you'll have! Save yourself the hassle of trying and
Enjoy your baby

I think you're right mistressploppy, I'm trying not to be too hard on myself. What's your age gap like? Mine's 14 months and mealtimes are hard enough (DS1 hates me feeding DD2) without my worrying too much about how she's getting off to sleep. She sleeps best in her snowsuit, unzipped but arms and legs inside so she can't fidget. I can't resort to that in the summer! (I just changed my nickname by the way; I'm the original poster).

That's interesting LadyKatieJ. I had followed Gina Ford with DS1 and you'd have believed that he'd never learn to fall asleep ever ever if you didn't follow her schedule. I think temperament has a lot to do with it.

Well, they will sort themselves out eventually, as there aren't many teenagers that need their mum to sit at their bedside patting their back while they fall asleep

But of course the trouble is getting enough sleep in the meantime. I didn't do cc with mine and we co-slept when necessary. First child slept through by about 18m, second was 2.5yrs, but only really reliable by 3yrs.

Age gap is 2.3yrs here, so not too bad - hats off to you with 14 months! I swaddle, it's brilliant, have you tried it? Worked a charm with DS1 and DS2 seems to suit it too

They are all so different. DD1 was a Velcro baby. Would only sleep in my arms for naps and woke every 45 mins, day and night. She grew out of it without any "training".

DD2 is so different. She'll sleep anywhere, doesn't need the boon to fall asleep and sometimes sleeps for 4 hours in a row. I wasn't expecting this and can't believe my luck. She wakes every 2 hours during the night but at 8 weeks, I'm happy enough with this. Breastmilk is easily digestible and their bellies are still so small, I'm sure it will lenghten out as she gets bigger.

Do what suits you and your baby and don't feel guilty.

Some experts say that a full nights sleep for a baby is just 5 hours.

A very good friend of mine SWORE by Gina Ford as she did it to the letter with her DD1 and it 'worked' (pah!) However when she did EXACTLY the same with her DD2 it just did not work at all.... 2 totally different babies even though she changed nothing her DD2 was having none of this Gina Ford crap stuff!
I have one DS with another DC on the way and I plan to do the same with this one as I did with DS.... wing it!!