the no-cry sleep solution

[iris66]

has anyone tried it? (book by Elizabeth Pantley) I'm on day 2 & looking for a bit of support as I know it's going to take time. I'm dying through sleep depravation with 8mth DS who bfs to sleep but is very very tricky to move so have been cosleeping whilst he fidgets & kicks all night(and power naps during the day)
Think this is the last chance saloon before ear plugs & leaving him to get hysterical (even though I know that won't happen - i just couldn't, he really does do the whole temper, then sad then hysteria/shaking/terror/I've been abandoned thing - even if DH goes to him - such a mummy's boy)
Anyway, please post if you've been successful with this [hopeful emoticon]

i cant dance-but do!
my ds doesnt want to go for afternoon nap,weve walked,fed,bottle,sling everything!oh well!dh is doing bedtime tonight as im taking dd and ds to a party,im hoping hes going to stick to the ncss routine we worked out.doubt it though.

Hi again.
Have been going through dilemma of whether to leave DS to cry for naps as even with dummy they were becoming fraught and nights were still broken and I was feeling desperate and some people make you feel like you have been too soft!
BF to sleep never really worked for us as I have a very windy chap.
Anyway, I realised that some of his wakings are because he jerks himself and can't resettle once he has started crying. We have been diving in with a dummy which works most of the time but not all. I then heard about a baby hammock and thought I would give it a try as DS really wanted to feel safe/secure when to sleep as a newborn.
3 nights in and he has only woken once each night for a feed. I have heard a few yelps but I think he then gets gently swayed and goes stratight back off.
Naps have become easier too. Initially he cried in it even with his dummy. Now it is as if he is moving his bottom to get it moving and help lull him off. (it doesn't stop him waking after 30mins in day though)
I know it is another prop and at some point he will outgrow it but he looked so happy this morning when he woke up that I am going to keep going with it. As nights have got much better don't feel like CC is worth the trauma for either of us in the day - PHEW!
If anyone else has a jerky baby or one who likes to feel coccooned this maybe worth a try.
they can be ordered from www.naturesnest.co.uk

Bikebug
Hi! Just read your message. My DS also wakes shrieking with eyes closed too - it is as if he has had a fright - think it may still be the MORO reflex?!? Where they feel like they are falling - think it goes at 8 months.
Anyway - maybe hammock worth a go.
Also we did cranial osteopathy at start - think if they have any pressure in their cranium it helps with that. It has helped my DS digestive issues too. It is a worth a go to see if he settles better.

Love the dancing Moljam! Now everyone Danceswithbaby

Hi San2, I hadn't thought of the reflex - you might have something there. Ds is very nearly 8 months, perhaps it will stop soon (wishful thinking ...). I looked around at the hammocks a while ago and really wished I'd seen them sooner, but ds is already 21lbs so decided against buying one, but if there we have another one I don't think I will resist temptation...

Hi Guys, Everyones sounding quite chirpy and happy. Are all our babies quite highly sensitive???

Shall we rename this thread "Happy Dancing Mums wearing makeup and heels" thread? According to my Occupational Therapy Textbook Dancing helps to stimulate or calm their vestibular system and therefore is uber beneficial in terms of development, our babies may not sleep now,but never mind, thanks to our loving arms, they will not be clumsy in the future.

Hayles - I'm sure you've heard the "warm the basket with a hot water bottle" tip.. (you then take it out of the cot before you put the baby in it).

More breakthoughs - DS went to sleep in cot last night at 7pm exactly semi asleep as opposed to asleep after BF. Also now sleeps in carseat and buggy without BF first. Awake just 2 times in the night 1.30am and 2.30am.

I wish I'd got that hammock, maybe for the next baby. Who wants another??? Is sleep deprov putting anyone off???

Thanks for the info on the benefits of dancing Difers! As and ex-pro classical dancer and teacher I was dancing for hours every day up until 39 weeks pregnant and dance with DD ALL the time now. Glad I can do at least one thing right without even thinking!

Don't know if it's actually a breakthrough but DD seems to expect longer naps. Her nap this morning came to an untimely end about 40 minutes in because I hit the wring button and we were treated to a rousing chorus of 'girls and boys come out to play'. DD got really grumpy.

I did the hammock-thing. No good at all. This child will not be fobbed off with an inanimate substitue when there's a perfectly good mummy to be had!

I forgot to say - I took your advice and I'm covered in slap today! Dunno if I feel better or just plain stupid....!

we had awful night again but he didnt get up till 6am so kind of better!but 2 hour nap this morning!hes not wanted another but hes waking at 6,napping 9-11 and bed at 7(and up all night!)do you think he needs another nap?,hes 10 months.im finding it quite helpful for me having more of a routine.i usually run round doing stuff,forgetting stuff etc but im being quite organised,wonder how long that will last!im doing make up today!weve not had chance to dance!glad there is actually a reason!

Sorry you had a bad night Moljam, hopefully tonight will be better! I hate to say it but I think DS has been much better since I have implemented a routine. Wake up 6-7am, Brekkie at 8, play until 9.30, Go in buggy sleeps, wakes plays, eats at 1pm, plays, 2.30pm sleeps in buggy, tea at 5pm, bath at 6pm, asleep at 7pm. BF's as and when. My probs really started when I moved to wales as before then I must of had a routine and not been aware of it. I'm really worried that the move will throw everything out of sync and it will take 2 months to get back to where I am now. We move friday!!!

Also, since I did the long post re: what to do if as a mum you can't sleep I've developed insommia!!!

DWB - good news about the naps. Shame about the hammock.

Hi all

Knew I would tempt fate when I wrote that DS nights better with hammock. Last night not too good but I think it is teething pain as until I gave him calpol he didn't want to eat- poor lamb. Expecting a stormy night.
Does anyone else have any tips for helping them through the teething phase?

Also on naps - does anyone else's baby just do 30min naps? Am sure he needs/wants more but seems to wake up. Any advice out there?
Maybe I should try dancing with him to chill him out first!

Bikebug - good luck with the cranial osteopathy - I've heard really good things about it

Difers - your Lo's routine is virtually the same as mine (but then so is your insomnia - PITA isn't it )

danceswithbaby - PMSL over your hitting the wrong button (sorry) times like that you don't know whether to laugh or cry. However.... "to slap or not to slap" that, is the question I've been pondering. Don't slap, and you risk feeling even worse when your unexpected caller calls. Slap, and...... I can't think of a down side

Thought for the day.... I rarely eat sweets (apart from the obligatory daily Green & Blacks fix - obviosly ) but... I ate one small packet of haribo cola bottles today(the only ones with no E numbers listed - or are they hiding something....)then bf DS an hour later. He had a 2 hour manic session I can only describe as being worthy of an ADHD diagnosis and has taken over 1 1/2 hours to put to bed!!!!
Either a) there's something in those sweeties they're not telling us.... or
b) DS has one major sugar sensitivity

I'm sorry but I eat as may biccies as the next girl & I don't think sugar is a contender.......

ps - We've had a crappy few nights. DS has ended up with me. He's just woken again now (hysterical again )so must fly.

Iris - Don't touch those haribo things - I know someone who ended up in hospital as a result of eating too much Haribo liquorice allsorts leading to a depletion of something.. she did eats lots though and not much else.

San1 - The NCSS book suggests that you get a baby to nap longer by going to them 5/10 minutes before they wake up and as soon as they stir, get them back to sleep by whatever method you normally use and eventually they will nap longer. IT WORKS!!! Bizarrely.

Well DD now has another cold so no chance of any better sleeps unless she is plyed with calpol. She has just got over a cold too, has anyone else entered a perpetual state of runny noses?
Difers, I always wanted to have babies in quite quick succession but the lack of sleep has caused a rethink. I would definitely like another one but I now want to wait until DD a bit older before even trying. What about you? Have you been put off?
Sans2 I think for teething lots of cuddles and reassurance. I only use calpol as alast resort but it has worked for DD when she's really uncomfortable and sore. I don't think there is any way to totally avoid the discomfort for you or baby.
Poor Moljam and iris, its hard going when you're still not getting enough sleep. I feel like i'm taking one baby step forward and giant steps backward. fingers crossed tonight is better.
Incidently, I've discovered cbeebies, feel i need to confess zoning out with DD for balamory. Am I a bad mother?????? I want to be all creative and engaged with DD but am soooo tired all the time. I'll keep up the dancing tho', I like the idea of us all singing and dancing about (i was well impressed DWB, by 39 weeks I could barely get up off my ass!)

momomama - PMSL at "am I a bad mother... just discovered CBeebies!!" - DS isn't 10 moths yet & sits there agog when the Fimbles come on at bedtime (and no, I don't just let him watch bedtime hour - it seems to be on half the day here (not that DS watches it of course...it's merely background noise. He's too busy being amused by his earth mother's antics and participating in brain enhancing activities )

difers - don't you the move. Maybe the upheaval will sort your LO out! [hopeful emnoticon]

I'm broody as a very broody thing in broodisville at the mo (yes, despite the sleeplessness!)We'd planned for two - and I'm no spring chicken any more! Sadly, I need to convince DS to sleep first so DH can take a little wander back into our bedroom!!

Bikebug - has your LO had the cranial osteopathy yet? How'd it go?

Bikebug, I'm curious about the cranial osteopathy too.

San2, my dd was the queen of the 30 minute naps but the tips in NCSS do actually seem to work, up to a point. I still have to get her back to sleep 30 minutes into her nap but then she's happy to sleep on for longer.

Broody did you say?? Just a bit. At this rate though, by the time I stop being a milk factory it'll be too late. There's no sign of business resuming as normal and then there's DH being relegaged to the spare bed... Let's just say the odds seem to be against it.

It I do manage to get pregnant again there'll be no dancing until 39 weeks, or 2 hour gym sessions. In the hope of a 'normal' baby there'll be sitting on the sofa for nine months and eating cake.

broody hell

ooh you broody items, I do so want more babies (yes, that's plural ). DS seems to be happiest in company, it would be doing him a great favour to provide siblings. But here too DH is pushed away in favour of the little non-sleeping person, so no idea how we're going to achieve it (well, I have an idea, I'm not that daft , but ... you know what I mean).

The cranial osteopathy has happened (thank you for asking!) , and DS is currently asleep on the sofa downstairs. He doesn't usually sleep at this time, so I'm putting it down to whatever the lady did to him. And I have absolutely no idea what that was. She just chatted away to me with her hands on him. And sympathised about my nasty birth story and DH working 7-7 and no family near etc etc, so I feel very sorry for myself now because sympathy does that. And DS smiled and laughed and tried to pull her hair and grab the buttons of her blouse . And then we went to the shops and he was very happy, and now he is fast asleep. I'm not sure what I expected - she didn't seem to actually do anything. And I paid £40, and made another appointment for next week. There's something about paying for healthcare which I am finding very uncomfortable, but I'll get over that very quickly if this works! I'll report back after tonight. It can't be worse than last night, he didn't sleep for more than an hour at a time all night [and there isn't an emoticon for feeling ghastly, and I need one!] I really, really have my fingers crossed for this, I am getting very tired now...

Bikebug, will be interested to see if you notice a difference.

Monomama, fluffybaby has a cold too - and as there is no more powerful biological weapon than a baby cold, dh and I have it too. Lucky us can have night nurse or the liquid cosh as I call it. Was expecting lots of disturbed nights but - it may be too early to say - have been putting ds to bed earlier the last two nights, and he has [whisper it] slept through!

Good, glad you are all broody too. Yep, this milking business does hold things up and DH's in other rooms doesn't help much either. I held a 2 week old at Tiddlers today I can't believe that DS was ever that small and helpless. I notice her mum has less bags under the eyes than me!!! Still one day soon our babies will sleep through the nights and we will love once more.

I have also heard great things about Cranial Scracal Therapy.

Move tomorrow!!!

difers good luck for tomorrow.today we had fab naps!2 hours in morning,hour in afternoon but this dumb mummy didnt make most of it.in morning for whole 2 hours i babysat another 10 month old,in afternoon i was feeding a 6 month old her lunch!silly mummy!went to bed great tonight so heres hoping for best!

just remembered,we use cloth nappies and im wondering if wet on his skin could be causing him to fidget be uncomfy and wake,any one have any advice?im looking for a reason for no sleep!

fluffyanimal - fab news on the sleeping through!!!!!!!!!!! (I did whisper that - honest - don't want to jinx!!)

Bikebug - sounds like a positive result so far to me! Big fingers crossed for tonight XX

Difers - good luck for tomorrow's move

moljam - it's awful when you're trying to find reasons for them not sleeping isn't it (I still find myself doing it and it's never anything I can pinpoint )my DS is in cloth too. FWIW I rarely change him at night & really don't think the dampness is an issue. Hope your LO sleeps well after his brilliant napping sessions today

DH has DS again tonight after 2 nights off (tired I think ) I'm going to bed early with a good book. night all x

night iris!my dh has buggered off to france on holiday!

Hello fellow sleep deprived mummies, I'm new to mumsnet but have been finding great solace and comfort in your messages in my addled and often miserable state. I have a DS who is 3 onetime sleepless little rotter now fully reformed. Also have a DD 4 weeks who is giving us hurry curry at night but sleeps all day with very little intervention. Am so very knackered, can anyone fill me in on what NCSS is, have found the energy to be intrigued!