Controlled crying...

[bigbluehouse]

In the middle of the first night of trying out controlled crying and it's utter hell.

This is a very last resort and I feel like the worst mum in the world but for my own sanity we need to do something...

Anyone got any positive stories or are trying it to?

My son is almost one.

I really don’t want to hijack your thread but last night was so amazing!

DS went off at 7.30 with me in the room. He woke at 12.30 and all I had to do was walk in the room and say “lie down, sleepy time” and he did! He went straight back off until 5.30!

We ended up getting up at 5.30 because he was wide awake and full of beans but I suppose he would be after almost sleeping through.

I’ve just got to crack him initially going down because that still takes ages but I’m wondering if I’ve got in the habit of taking him up early because he used to be so tired.

Anyway, thank you so much for your thread. It really gave me the push to start all of this!

Ahh fantastic. I'm so glad it's starting to work for you, when you get that first night of it going well, it really gives you a boost!

Well done for persevering!!

We on the other hand, had a little blip last night! We had 4 wake ups but he did go straight back to sleep each time

I just had to do this with my son and I didn’t like it but by the sound of things it’s ok...

He wouldn’t go to sleep and was crying and reaching for me. I’ve been away the last two nights and apparently he didn’t sleep till half 8-9 those two nights. He’s normally awesome but he’s been a bit unpredictable with bedtime this last couple of weeks (he’s nearly 2). He’s been a 12 hours a night kid since he was about 9 months old and has always gone to bed well.

Tonight I decided he couldn’t keep getting up (dh always brings him downstairs) so as he’s not here and has gone to work late I made the decision.

He went to bed and cried - I went back in after 3 minutes and hugged him over the cot but didn’t lift him out. Then went out for 5 where he still cried but less so towards the end. Reset, laid down, cuddled, reassured then left for ten. After four minutes he was quiet and just kicking the side of his cot as he always does. Then cried a bit. Then all has been quiet now for a while.

I hated it but it needed doing. I just need him to know it’s bedtime and this is sleep time. I often have to work in the evenings at home and I just need him to go to bed.

Hopefully it won’t take long as I don’t like hearing him cry but equally I know that the cry is only temper.

Night three and he went quiet within 90 seconds.... I thought we were in for another tough one but no.

Had to leave him for ten, then 12 then he settled after a further five. It wasn’t pleasant but he was such a good sleeper till recently! He has slept well but getting him to go down was tough going.

He didn’t nap today but has been full of beans! He was hilarious earlier when the football was on. I thought he’d sleep quickly but he wasn’t happy about going up again - I wish he’d stop with the urrrrrr noise and the thrashing about going up!

Out of interest are those of you who adopt the controlled crying method living in detached properties?

@crimsonlake I lived in a 70's mid-terrace with my first baby, semi-detached with 2nd. But neighbours knew we had babies and they wouldn't be left to cry for more than 5 mins at a time.

No I live in a little semi and my sons bedroom wall is shared with the little girls bedroom next door. Who I can hear crying at various times.

He’s left for no more than ten minutes - and I won’t leave him that long if it’s horrendous. But they also know I have a small person and would be more than understanding I’m sure.

Going to jump in here quick (sorry OP) first night CC here 👋 and LB (15 months) isn't screaming, he's occasionally whinging but otherwise fine, do I still go and see him after a set time if he is still awake or do I leave him?!

I'd leave him unless his cries are getting more irate/closer together.

So he slept 4 nights last week from 7:30-6am and now all of a sudden the last 3 night he's up 2-3 times a night!

What do I do!

Crickey nuttyknitter, that's a bit strong!

Good luck OP, hope it works for you. Like daffodil, I couldn't go for that route because DD vomited exorcist style if left for two minutes when she woke

I still feed DD to sleep at bedtimes, not looking forward to stopping that at some point!

I second comment about routines, being consistent is key whatever method you're using. I hope you have some good support as it looks like you didn't get much sleep last night