Controlled crying

[Haribolover]

The time has come at 9 months for CC. We have issues with needing feeding or rocking to sleep and some nights multiple wake ups. Naps are dire too as won't go down in cot and it's feed to sleep or buggy/car.

My questions are:

• do I do CC for going down or each wake up as well?
  
• still doing a night feed, do I continue this and if so how do I ensure it's a wake up for hunger?
  
• do I sort nights and then naps? Seems too much to do it all at once?

[rootypig]

Thinking about it - last night sounds like it was good, if she self settles a few times and you feel like you're coping with the wake ups, then my instinct is always to be gentle and cautious. In your position, I probably would continue with the one feed for a while and see if she adjusts.

[Littlef00t]

Wise words - appreciate your input!

[Littlef00t]

Sorry if this is boring anyone, I'm finding it helpful to record the progress and it's here for anyone who does similar.

Last night I only had to go into to soothe once all night (plus early night feed) at 5am, and she went back to sleep within 15 mins after I went into her and just sssh patted (no water). She woke and soothed herself back to sleep several times over the evening and night, so still waking quite a lot.

[rootypig]

That sounds great

She will always wake, by the way, we all rouse regularly in our sleep. She'll just get better at going straight into the next sleep cycle and you (and she) won't be aware of it.

[Haribolover]

Success here. After 2 days she'll go to sleep after 10mons of moaning, not tears just grumbling and has also dropped the night feed. We might get one wake up but she'll go off again after a few minutes and sleeps until about 8am in the morning. I now just wish I had done this earlier as it was really testing our marriage the battles to get her to sleep.

[Littlef00t]

Really pleased for you haribolover! Sorry I hijacked your thread! I found it really strange as dd started sleeping better that I had modified her behaviour, but I guess we are doing it all the time.

[Littlef00t]

Thought I'd update to say she only woke for her early night feed last night then woke at 6:30, so a week later she's gone from ending to be fed or settled 3/4 times to none woohoo!!

[Haribolover]

Amazing Little. Makes so much difference not dreading each night.

[Littlef00t]

Yes haribolover! a few months ago once we got her to sleep at 7 we wouldn't hear a peep until the early hours. When that stopped I felt on tenderhooks all evening and night.

Hopefully it carries on! Away two nights this weekend at a wedding. Fingers crossed she doesn't wake unnecessarily as I don't want to subject the rest of the hotel to late night crying.

[Needzzzzs]

Sorry to hijack thread - I'm thinking of trying cc with my 11 month old - he's waking all the time! Definitely not hungry as does sometimes sleep through (very rarely). Just wanted to ask for tips from those that have done it - I know when I go to him he will cry more if I don't pick him up - do you just leave the room again anyway? I'm worried about him crying for ages even if I am going in and out.

[rootypig]

Needzzzzs how does your DS get back to sleep at the moment? is he waking to feed? if so are you BF?

[Needzzzzs]

I was BF but stopped a few weeks ago so he's not feeding back to sleep. I try getting him back off just by shushing & patting which occasionally works but usually after an hour of this I give up & pick him up. Early on in the evening he falls asleep straight away on my shoulder but when he wakes at 1 or 2am he takes ages to settle - sometimes upset & sometimes wanting to play.

I was thinking of trying CC just because he's taking so long to settle & I'm not sure my back can take walking him round for much longer now that he's heavy! Definitely won't be starting tonight though - poor little thing has just projectile vomited all over us both

[Littlef00t]

I always picked dd up briefly (less than 1 min) for the first few days and worked towards not, as a quick cuddle she appreciated and seemed to reset the crying sometimes. Once she was crying less I just sshhed and patted.

[Needzzzzs]

Thanks Littlef00t. Did it work for you in the end then? How long did it take? Just need to get myself mentally prepared!