HELP - Separation Anxiety at night

[AlexandriaFlynn]

Hi all, my son is 1 in 2 weeks and has never been a good sleeper, he has CMPA and reflux so that had a huge impact on his sleep — as he was a sickly baby we got in to bad habits of always rocking him and putting him down when he was pretty much fast asleep. This has continued. At one point he got quite good at self settling and so when he did wake he’d roll over get comfy and go back. Recently this has gone out the window. I can NOT get him in to that cot. I can have him sleeping on me for 20 mins, as soon as I go to put him down he goes crazy.. we are sometimes taking an hour to get him to bed. After we do he is waking after an hour and we’re having to start again. My husband and I are exhausted and at the end of our tether. I have tried leaving him to cry but he gets completely hysterical and so I always cave. I’m not sure I’m built for the controlled crying method but I’m getting desperate - do you think I should try? I definitely don’t want to co sleep (selfish reasons, I won’t sleep a wink with him next to me) Any advice would be so appreciated TIA

My youngest and my nephew were the same. My nephew was 2 before he could self-settle as my sister kept rocking him to sleep.

A good trick is to put the top you are wearing in the cot, so it smells like you and comforts them, put them down to sleep next to it.

I used to cuddle DD until she was really sleepy but still just about awake, then put her in the cot but keep my hand on her constantly, sshing her til she fell asleep - that way she feels like you're still holding her.

hugs xx

I had the same issues with my DD 18 months. She also had reflux and cmpa. Would take hours to get her to sleep so we did the CIO method. I know no one likes this especially not me but hear me out. We did 10 mins of crying and 10 mins sitting in the room with our hand on her whispering ssh etc. If she hadn't settled we would leave she'd be upset for 10 mins. The first night it took 2.5 hours, I was in tears and ready to give when I checked her monitor she was asleep! Second night it took 20 mins with barely any crying. Third night we put her down to bed and I kid you not she just wriggled about and got comfy and fell asleep! She has continued self soothing since (we did that at 1 year) she's put into bed now and is asleep in 5-10 mins with no crying! Honestly I really didn't want to do the cry it out method but we were desperate and I have to admit I'm so glad we did. The ten minute one isn't as bad either because it is only 10 mins. Good luck xxx