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Original poster

Anyone used Millpond or similar?

27 replies

Cnix · 02/06/2013 08:21

At the end of the proverbial tether and all that... It's the early mornings wakenings that are killing me. Up for the day before 5. And it seems to be getting earlier... Thought about a sleep consultant but worried it may be a waste of money. Would live to hear any success stories about this type of thing. Thanks

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LovelyWeatherForDucks · 02/06/2013 09:29

We're using Andrea Grace...just started our sleep plan last night (7 month old waking v v v frequently) and going much better than i imagined! Although this is rather different to early waking, which I'm told is the hardest thing to crack!

Although none of the advice is rocket science, we needed the motivation of having paid good money, and having someone on hand to answer the 'what if..' questions is great..and reassurance I am not going to break my baby!

Original poster
Cnix · 02/06/2013 09:37

Yes I think it's just knowing that there is someone there to guide you. I have read that many books and bits of advice that I'm totally confused. I try everything but stick at nothing. Hope your sleep plan continues to work.

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LovelyWeatherForDucks · 02/06/2013 09:56

That's exactly where we were at - just needed someone else to tell us exactly what to do!

happydaze77 · 02/06/2013 09:59

You probably have already, but do you have blackout blinds/curtains? DD woke earlier as the mornings started to get lighter but this improved greatly after we blacked out her room.
Sorry, if you've already tried them - I know how annoying it is when someone says "have you tried . . ?" when, invariably, the answer's yes! Smile

sarahandemily · 02/06/2013 10:06

We used Brenda hart (you will find her if you google) for our 18 mo who woke every 2 hours at night. The cure was a bit brutal, but it worked and Brenda is a bit of an odd character but perfect too as she totally takes charge of the situation and gives you loads of confidence. You are right that there maybe nothing new or no magic answer but having that go to person really helps. Although I still feel a bit guilty at having to resort to this it saved my sanity and restored a bit of normality to our family

sarahandemily · 02/06/2013 10:40

By the way how old is your dc? Feel free to pm me if you want more info

Original poster
Cnix · 02/06/2013 14:38

Thanks. I am going to try to black out the window a bit more tonight to see if it makes any difference. But I think there is something more to it than that. Her naps are crap as well and her room's not that light when she wakes. She's 9 months BTW.

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Queenofknickers · 02/06/2013 15:17

We used Millpond 6 years ago when DS was still waking hourly at 18 mos Sad We had tried everything but the consultant (can't remember name but lovely) analysed our diaries and spotted his association with sleep and the sensation of being full up. With her help we changed his routine, broke the association with hardly any crying (from any of us!) and finally slept Smile Best money I've ever spent - I was way too tired to work it out/ make changes myself.

freelancegirl · 03/06/2013 19:10

I've been meaning to post that question with the exact sans title so when I saw it I thought I'd actually done it and in my sleep deprived state forgotten I had done so :)

I am thinking of maybe getting a personalised sleep plan fr The Baby Sleep Site or maybe going with Millpond. My 10mo DS will only feed to sleep and cosleep. The evenings are the worst when he can wake every half hour. After I go to bed around 11pm it's better but we only get one 'long' stretch of 3-4 hours. Am building up to paying for training but not looking forward to it both emotionally and financially. In the meantime I'm putting it off hoping something will miraculously help him sleep.

Please tell us how Andrea Grace was too!

freelancegirl · 03/06/2013 19:12

Btw what did millpond actually advise Queen?
And also the rather scary sounding Brenda!!

LovelyWeatherForDucks · 03/06/2013 19:34

All going well with Andrea Grace - we were dealing with lots of night wakings and taking ages to settle back to sleep each time with dummy/patting/shhing, and not napping well in his cot without us there.

Our 'plan' basically involves a few tweaks to his bedtime routine, cutting out his night feed, and leaving him to go to sleep on his own, popping in every 1-2 mins to comfort/give dummy. She basically has two approaches - gradual retreat or controlled crying - and we are doing a gentle controlled crying (but not much crying as we go in so frequently!). (Her book is quite good and basically explains her approaches)

Night 1 he took 45 mins to fall asleep, and woke 3 times between 7pm and 6.50pm. (Twice he went back to sleep within 5 mins, once took 50 mins). Night two was similar, but all '5 min' wake ups..but he was up for the day at 5.30am (not so good!).

I'm v pleased we went down the route of a sleep specialist - somehow just makes it a hundred times easier to cope with and stick to.

SkiBumMum · 03/06/2013 19:41

We used the Child Sleep Company. Fantastic!!

freelancegirl · 03/06/2013 19:50

That sounds good so far Lovely weather! Did she come see you in person?

Just googled the Child Sleep Company as that was one I'd missed, sounds like a nice lady. Can you tell us more about it Skibum?

I'm getting tempted (she says on the second feed-to-sleep so far of the evening). But not sure how ready I am yet!

Phineyj · 03/06/2013 19:58

My DSis has used Millpond and found them good so far. One thing I thought was interesting was that they have involved both siblings, not just the one with the sleep problem.

LovelyWeatherForDucks · 03/06/2013 20:09

Freelancegirl - no, I think she only does home visits in London, so we had our 'consultation' via Skype.

sarahandemily · 03/06/2013 20:50

Brenda basically advised no more than a 45 min nap during the day. Then bed time routine followed by putting dd in her cot in her room at around 7pm and basically leaving her there until 6 the next morning. She did do a home visit as she is London based, checked dd's room was safe and talked to us and dd quite extensively about what was going on. It's a while ago now but basically worked within a few days and we were offered unlimited phone/txt support post ten consultation but didn't need much in the end. I know it sounds awful but I was at the end of my tether and it worked. I had already tried loads of more gentle methods which didn't work. I would definitely recommend her but you need to be prepared.

sarahandemily · 03/06/2013 20:54

But I have to admit QueenofKnickers experience with Millpond sounds much better in similar circumstances

Original poster
Cnix · 04/06/2013 09:19

I'd love to hear how it's going lovelyweather? Just spoken to Andrea. She is lovely and gave me some suggestions to try before we start to have an official consultation and to part with any money. I am also going to try getting her to settle to sleep without me in the room but popping in and out every 2 mins. Hope it makes a difference but I know she's going to go ballistic...

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bigkidsdidit · 04/06/2013 09:23

I used Andrea Grace too, took about 5 weeks but DS slept through after that and has ever since :) worth every penny!

sheeplikessleep · 04/06/2013 09:30

Watching with interest...
DS2 has just turned 3 and has always woken at 5/5.30 since 10 months old (when we did night weaning / DH cuddled and patted him back to sleep).
We are at the end of our tether, DS2 is just awake fully for the day by 5.30am, what I would do for an extra hour!

LovelyWeatherForDucks · 04/06/2013 09:47

Cnix - it's going well - we've gone from hours of patting and shhing through the night to just popping his dummy in when he wakes...although he is still waking quite a bit so the dummy will probably need to go. Naps are great - usually falling asleep in less than 5 mins (much better than holding him/sitting with him for every nap...he is sleeping as I type, so I am relaxing with a cuppa - luxury!!). Although a bit of me misses the sleepy time cuddles!

Good luck! I was surprised - it was easier than I thought it would be, but took some serious hand-holding from DH for the first night/day. As Andrea said to us...if you start at bedtime, when baby is tired, you can't fail...they WILL fall asleep, but it might take a while!

I think total consistency is the key.,.we do exactly the same pre-bed/pre-nap routines, I say exactly the same words when I go in(sleepy time, ds, shh shh, sleepy time) etc etc.

Andreas book is also excellent and outlines her approaches pretty clearly. And there's another thread I found which might be useful if you haven't seen it already.... www.mumsnet.com/Talk/sleep/a1549900-We-met-Andrea-Grace-here-is-the-aftermath

Original poster
Cnix · 04/06/2013 17:27

Thanks for that. I'll try to have a look at it later on. Just gearing myself up for bedtime ....

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Original poster
Cnix · 04/06/2013 21:20

Took her no time at all to settle Now gearing myself up for what to do when she wakes in the night.

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Queenofknickers · 04/06/2013 21:52

I can't remember the details Blush but I think it involved him having his last bottle downstairs in the light before bath so that when he went in his cot he was tired but not full up. It was to break his association between needing a feeling of a full tummy to go to sleep. He hardly cried and started sleeping through - it was an absolute godsend. I wish I'd done it 12 months earlier rather than suffer as we did. Go for it!

LovelyWeatherForDucks · 05/06/2013 12:01

How did it go Cnix?

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