I apologise as I realise that this is probably a very old topic but I am new to this site and would really appreciate any advice from parents who have tried the controlled crying method of sleep training. I have two older kids (6 & 4 yrs), but they both fell into their own patterns and were sleeping through the night by 4 months. My youngest is 7 months and until 2 nights ago, was waking up approx 3 times every night and would not go back to sleep until breastfed and (usually) in our bed. He eats well through the day , 3 solid meals and about 4 breast feeds, so I felt that he was ready to start sleeping through the night and could not be waking because he was hungry.
Day 1: baby went to bed at 7.30, woke at 8.00 p.m and cried for about 1 1/2 hours. I went back to him every 15 mins but didn't take him out of the cot. Then he fell asleep and woke only once thru night and fell asleep again after I tucked him in (but didn't take him out of cot)
Day 2: exactly the same
I have read lots about Gina Ford on this site and am trying to implement some of her recommendations but I have some questions for all you mums out there who have tried this and would love any advice. My two older children are at school, which means school runs at 9.00, 12.00, 1.00 and 3.00, not to mention after school activities and arrangements to play with friends. My baby often falls asleep in his pushchair going back and forth to school. Do I wake him and put him in cot, awake and try to get him back to sleep? Also, his afternoon nap is far too short, often only about 40 mins and he is shattered by bed time. Can I use the C.C. method for afternoon naps too? I tried this yesterday, but he screamed for so long that I eventually got him up, thinking it would probably be bath time before he fell asleep!
My two bigger kids are understandably a little jealous of the anmount of time little one is demanding at the moment. Any advice on juggling a sleep programme, Princess Barbie and Harry Potter single handed? My husband often works away from home and we currently live abroad so asking family for help is not an option.
Sorry this is so long winded but I would love to hear from anyone who has been in similar situation, particularly if this programme worked! Plus, how long before this is supposed to work?