DS self settles at bedtime with me sitting quietly in the room, perhaps the occasional sshh and brief hand on his bottom if he starts getting worked up. Normally settles within 10-20 mins. We have dropped night feeds a couple of months ago and he was happily waking once for water and then going back to sleep. Now he isn't going back to sleep…I've tried helping him nod off (by patting his bum - normally works), and I've tried sitting by the cot and ignoring him with the occasional sshhh, but then he gets really upset and can't be left…I haven't managed to get him back to sleep for the last few mornings…so have been up by 4.30am which is bonkers and really ruins the day. I am happy for morning to start at 5.30, 5 is a little too early (we live in the tropics, and this is a normal hour here - although would prefer him to sleep until 6)
On a good day, our day looks like this:
5-6am wake up & Breastfeed
7ish breakfast
8.30am - 9am nap (i don't move it earlier if he wakes early) If he wakes 6.30, then his nap would be a little later, more like 9-9.30
Mid morning breast feed
12 Lunch
1 - 2.30 ish Nap
Mid afternoon breast feed
5.30 Dinner
6.30 bath and breast feed
7pm bedtime (he settles himself, usually within about 10 mins)
I don't know what I am doing wrong! Any ideas? Thanks :)