what do you do about recurrent waking once you have done CC?

[2T2T]

my dp and i (reluctantly) did cc with our 8mth old ds which, thankfully, he responded to really well and without too many tears. he sleeps like a dream most nights but we get occasional nights when he is unsettled and we have to do cc again. it is usually around 10mins total so not anywhere near like we did at first and he grizzles more than cries. are we right to do this? will we always have to do this? he is very very happy and does not seem adversely affected by his earlier cc in any way shape or form. infact he is happier as a result of more sleep. your thoughts would be gratefully received !

hi - in short, no matter what sleep-management/conditioning aproach you use (or dont), you will get stages in which your dc are unsettled in the night - teething, colds, or various random behaviour. So, yes, expect a few more years of (hopefully) occassional sleepless nights.

DS1 did the same and still now at 2 and a half he still wakes in the night occasionally. We dealt with it by going into his room while it was still dark and checking he was ok. If it takes 10 mins for them to settle but you know they're ok I think that's preferable to getting them up and having hours of upset.

I would encourage you to physically go in and check though (contrary to the advice of some 'experts') - DS1 developed pneumonia when he was 18 months or so and we caught it early by checking on him during a night waking episode. If you check on them every night before bed anyway they should be used to your presence in their room so an additional check if needed isn't too much of a break from the norm IYSWIM.

thank you. i do always check on him and last night, for example, i quickly bf him to rule out hunger. he only half heartedly sucked so i put him back in his cot and he screamed as i left then settled himself within 5 mins max. i just hate to hear him cry but feel that i cannot go back to bf back to sleep every 2 hours during the night which is what made me take the decidions to cc in the first place.

also, does cc work for daytime naps? he never naps in his cot withut a struggle so i relent and let him nap in his buggy.

Yes it can work for daytime naps, but tbh I'd have thought you were better off if he will sleep in the buggy. My dd will only nap in her cot (or the car), and it's a PITA if we want to go out!

csws - that's an interesting theory! maybe i will stick with what works then?

It's great if they'll nap in their prams while out - life is much more flexible, lucky you!

Personally I wouldn't bother with trying to feed if you know he fed well before bed and never takes anything if you offer - he might get into the habit of waking for a comfort suck and a cuddle. If you feel you must 'do' something you could try just stroking his head very briefly and saying something like 'shhh, sleep time'.

liquidclocks - that is waht i do if he wakes after a first waking. maybe you are right, he is waking just for a cuddle. i'll try that first off if it happens again. how old was your lo when youdid the cc thing? i waited till 7mths but still worried he was too young.

2T2T - interested in responses as ds woke last night and night before. will follow with interest