DS is 8.5 months. He has never really napped in his cot, we have managed a few but it has always been much easier in the sling. I spent the winter doing laps of the park. He will now sleep in the car which is easier but still a faff - I have no time to myself at all.
His nighttime sleep was bad. We ended up co sleeping to get rest. We have had a good routine for a long time. He would wake up every 2-3 hrs and start the day at about 5.30. The biggest issue is he wouldn't go down at the start of the night in his cot so we ended up co sleeping from 7pm every night - not sustainable.
A month ago i cracked and got a sleep consultant. since then he now sleeps in his cot all night every night. We usually get a stretch of at least 6 hours. Some nights we only have 1 wake up. He has fully night weaned. We are following gradual retreat and he is going to sleep and re-settling with me just sitting by his cot at this point.
But: naps in the cot are still iffy. I havent braved a lunchtime one yet so I'm still in the fucking car and often he wakes early anyway. Consultant wants us to get rid if the dummy (he only has it when he is in his cot). I tried to go without the dummy tonight. I caved after 25 minutes of screaming. He is still waking at 5.30.
I feel like I have failed. Consultant says early wake ups and the fact he will often wake early in the eve are over tiredness because he isnt getting good quality sleep in the car. But the idea of trying to settle him for a 2hr lunch nap is terrifying. He did 25 mins this morning:-(.
Just feel like I have failed. And I've tried so hard.