gradual retreat - awakenings

[nyldn]

so we've started gradual retreat tonight. it has to be very gradual due to all the sleep props DS has (swaddle, bounce, dummy, hand on face in crib). we've gone cold turkey on the swaddle as his eczema is cleared up and on the bouncing.

fell asleep holding my hand after 40 Mon of full on crying, surrounded by dummies and his bunny.

how do we handle awakenings?? he's still feeding 2x a night (7 mo). I figured I'd choose time windows I'm willing to feed in and do it right away if he wakes then, otherwise DH goes in and sits with him, hand on face

does this sound right? these sleep solutions all discuss getting them to sleep but seem to be less clear on the awakenings, which is the reason we need to do this in the first place.

Hi, you need to do exactly the same each time including naps. So from what you said you should just be holding his hand- no hand in face etc. I would cut down to one feed, and then over the next few weeks you can reduce amount if this/water it down if ff. hope that helps.

I don't think that any sleep training method will work unless it is used consistently with all awakenings.

Your son at 7 months old (or indeed for the next few years) is not going to know that this is the "right time" for a feed and this is the "wrong time" for a feed. That will cause him complete confusing and he is not going to know or understand from one wake up to the next if this time Mummy & Daddy will let him feed or maybe they won't.

It has to be consistent or it will not work and probably causes more frustration to the child, not less.

I would suggest you either don't sleep train until you are ready to not feed in the night. Or you make a plan for what you will do at every wakening, regardless of the time, and stick to the same plan religiously.