Sleep training

[jessm2109]

Hi,

I understand this is not for everyone. Believe me, it wasn't for me either. I REALLY didn't want to do it. But after a year of my son waking every hour to feed I'm totally and quite honestly, done with it and breastfeeding.
I am due back to work in 2 weeks and cannot function properly on the way it has been going.
We've done sleep training for 4 nights now.
Night 1 - took 1.15 hours. I went in every 2, then 4, then 5 mins and so on. Slept a 4 hr block.
Night 2 - took 50mins then slept for 6 hrs.
Night 3 - took 40 mins then slept for 6.5 hrs.
Night 4 (last night) took 45 mins then woke every 2 hours.

When he wakes we're trying to keep him in his cot and comfort with hands, sssshhhing and saying 'sleepytime'. He gets completely hysterical and we have to get him out, this happens most times he wakes. We live in a flat with 2 small children below us, so there's only so much crying we can allow without disturbing other families.

I know he's used to constant comfort and co-sleeping so it's bound to be hard on him too but it can't continue. (I co slept with him if he woke after 12, in the thinking I could get more sleep...)

Does anyone have advice on this. How long will it go on and is this a normal pattern for sleep training?! I'm desperate

Thanks if you read this far.
X

We did it and I can't make a comparison as for sleep patterns during sleep training but if you can, keep going OP. It was life changing for us and I don't regret a second if it (but obviously listening to them cry is horrific but necessary IMO).

That looks like good progress to me. There's often a blip in sleep training around day 3. I say keep going.

When he’s waking in the night, how are you dealing with it? Really it should be dealt with in the same way as bedtime, I appreciate it’s difficult living in a flat though.

It does sound like you’re making progress, as Fate says there is always a bit of a regression in sleep training around the day 3/4 mark. Keep on at it and be consistent - sleep training saved our sanity.

As pp have said, there is often a backwards step around day 3/4 which my sleep consultant referred to as extinction burst. She explained that they initially adjust to the change and then after a few days, decide to have one final attempt to try go back to the regular waking/feeding.

Keep going and by day 8 or so, you will hopefully have cracked it.

Thank you everyone.

During the night we are trying to comfort in the cot. Not getting him out 9 times out of 10. My partner decided to get him out last night after so long of him crying loudly at 3am..
I'm glad to hear this seems a normal thing around this time in sleep training. We will continue with it the way we have been, and hope it gets better.

Last night was even worse.
Night 5 - 45 mins to go down. Slept for 1.5 hrs then up every hour. 1 block of 3 hours but only cause we gave calpol. Think he is teething but EVERY HOUR again?!? Seriously can't be right. Is this even working.

I'm so tired and having done a year of these god awful wakings, I feel like I don't even want to be around him at the moment. He's a hard work child as it is. He walked at 10 months, and constantly needing me. It's exhausting. Motherhood has not been the great picture so many mums seem to have. I'm the only person I know, who's baby still doesn't sleep. Not even 4-5 hours. He's SO active, how is he not tired?! 😢 sorry for the rant. I can't say this to my partner, cause then I'm being 'negative'.

I can so sympathise,sleep deprivation is the worst. Does he still wake frequently of you give him calpol to ease the teething pain or will he still wake up frequently? I'm no expert and this might be the worst advice but if sleep training is making things worse at the moment then maybe take a break from it and just do whatever works to all get the most sleep possible for a while, regroup and try and get your energy back up and try sleep training again another time when you feel the time is right.

Sounds really tough OP. I think the extinction burst can last more than one night. You need to be consistent for 2 weeks before you can say something has or hasn't worked I think.

You are not alone. My niece is 13 months and slept a 6 hour stretch recently. That was her longest ever as she's usually up every 2 hours...