Where to start with 6.5 month old sleeping and separation anxiety issues???

[kleeen]

I'm at a loss...don't know where to start with DS sleep and separation anxiety issues.

6 month old DS has been waking 5-10 times a night for the last 3 months. I feed to sleep and we co-sleep. DH is on the sofa as our bed isn't very big.

He has developed separation anxiety and screams when I leave the room. DH is no longer able to soothe him, it has to be me. So far DS hasn't taken a bottle, and this is something I think would help our situation.

I would love to:

• cut down on night wakings
• get DS to sleep in his cot
• get DH involved in night soothing and have it work!
• get DS to take a bottle
• cut down the number of times DS wakes himself (with some alternative to swaddling?)

I don't want to do anything to make DS insecure during this time of anxiety, but I need to get more sleep!

DS is extremely active and fidgety, which means he wakes himself up frequently by touching his face and rubbing his feet on things (me, the sheets, etc). We used to swaddle but he's so strong now that he wiggles out of it quite easily.

At the moment our a normal day consists of 7am wake up, 3 naps totaling 2-4 hours, 6 or 6:30 bath time, 7pm bedtime. he usually wakes 3 times before I come to bed around 11pm. and then wakes every 1-2 hours after that.

Do we address one issue at a
time? All in one go? I'm at a loss! And quite desperate for a good nights sleep!

Read the thread "What worked for us" on here. I know it's had pretty good results with many people on here, there may possibly be some crying...but you don't leave the baby but they get themselves to sleep. You have to be patient and very consistent. Worth a try. Where dh is concerned....the transition/change may work better if he's the one that does it. If you try the only thing your baby will want is milk. If you think your dh has the patience?? Mine gives in quite easily!! I think most people see results within a week to 10 days. Good luck.