Hold my hand for "gentle sleep bootcamp"...if there's such a thing

[Blessyou]

Current situation:

DS 5 has ASD. Sleeping in bunkbed with parent (DH) in the other bunk. Wakes in the night at some point and demands parent gets in his bed - single bunk.
=grumpy, uncomfortable DH
=poor quality sleep for DS1 too, as DH snores and fidgets and fights for the duvet

DS2 is 2y4m. Reflux, multiple food allergies. Always co-slept, breastfed, 3-100 times per night.
=knackered me

I think the boys are both ready to be gently persuaded to go back to sleep without parent involvement.

Both are stubborn and like things the way they have always been

So tonight, DH has DS2 from his first wakening after 11pm, we are doing a sort of Dr Jay Gordon gentle sleep training thing. He already finishes his feeds and rolls over onto his own pillow to settle, so I didn't feel we needed to do the first stage.

DS1 has a new microwave wheat bag penguin to cuddle (in addition to his 2 bed teds) to 'keep him warm' and I will be in the other bunk. When he wakes, I will kiss, tuck him in, and say night night; then get back into my bed.

How many hours will DS2 shout for?
Will it be horrendous and I'll cave?
How many times will I kiss/tuck DS1?
Will I have to come downstairs and reheat the penguin and regret that idea?

Wish us luck

ooh, I pressed post and right on cue DS2 has woken.
He's going to co-sleep with DH in my bed now, I'll go in the bunk.

I'm making you a pot of coffee with a large spoon in the sugar bowl for the morning (just in case).

Our record is 2 hours of shouting but I won (am I allowed to say that?) even though I kept stubbing my toes walking into DS' room every 10mins for a kiss and lie back down. DH thinks he won too but it became all about me when he fell asleep 40mins into our alleged tag team effort...

Good luck, no caving but maybe bring the microwave upstairs for tonight!

Thanks trifle
I thought he'd gone straight back to sleep, but can hear what sounds like DH redecorating the bedroom whilst DS2 grumbles

Well, better than I thought (I think).

DS1 didn't call for me in the night at all.

I heard DS 2 crying a couple of times in the night, but as DH has crawled into bed I don't know yet how long for/how many times.

DH came to get me at 6.45, which disturbed DS1 too.
I fed DS2 then DS 1 came in and wanted to get at 7am.

I didn't sleep soundly, though. I thought I would sleep like a log.
Feel like I was dozing all night.
I do, however, feel peculiarly 'awake' this morning

Well done op. I'm trying to force myself to get up for work after dd -2 who hardly ever sleeps through has been up since 3.45. Truly horrible

Ledkr
That's properly crap for you.
Hope you function ok today.

When DH got up at noon, he told me that DS settled by 12.30am.
Woke at 2-2.30 bit of a cry/cuddle.
Woke at 3.30 then stayed awake for an hour, reading stories and having cuddles.
Then woke for day 6.45, bf and up.
DS2 has been shattered today.
He doesn't nap every day, and hasn't today, despite almost falling asleep several times.
He has just fallen asleep during bedtime stories, though. He hasn't had his reflux meds so will need them squirting in when he wakes, that'll cheer him!
I let him bf whenever he asked today, usually I try and put him off during the day. As he was tired he has asked a lot. Tomorrow I'm working, though. Will be out of the house 7.30-6.30.
Bless him

I have had great mental energy today though. Worked from home for couple of hours, cancelled car insurance and phone contracts no longer needed and other little jobs. Got all my little jobs about the house done.
Happy days.
Bring on the full nights sleep!

Slowly, slowly, catchy monkey and all that! Well done you for getting the jobs done too - now at least they won't also keep you awake all night

Thanks. It was so easy to think straight and...do stuff!
Think I may be a tad over excited

How about a standard double bed with both boys in it? Sibling co-sleeping? Elizabeth Pantley describes it in her book 'the no cry sleep solution'.

Good idea, but ds1 won't entertain it.
We recently swapped his double for bunks in the hope eventually they can share that way.

Last night went well. I fed DS2 at 11 then I went to bed in the bunk bed in DS1's room. I then slept soundly until 6.30 am

My first decent nights slep in 2.5 years!
I feel so much sharper today, mentally. It's like coming up from underwater.

DS didn't protest as much as the night before. Woke a couple of times and dh had to get up with him once to walk about the room.

Tonight, I have fallen asleep putting them to bed, whoops, so will prob be awake for ages now.

Ds hasn't woken yet, but when he does, DH will get him and take him into our room...and I can go to bed in the bunk. It will be nice when musical beds can stop.

That's great news!!!!