Controlled Crying - advice needed please!

[spottyshoes]

Please help me DS is doing my nut in!!!!!

We have been doing CC for nearly a week and got the bedtime routine down nicely with it taking only a minute or two for him to settle - however he is waking lots in the night (min 4 or 5 times)and, with the exception of last night, is taking ages to settle. He does a really wingey cry escalating to tantrum which dies down and he is quiet for anywhere from 2 mins to 15 then he starts again!!!!

I am really starting to lose patience due to lack of sleep. Isnt CC supposed to help them settle themselves in the night? Doesn't it help them sleep longer, if not through the night

Also does anyone know how I can keep him warm enough at night? I have him in a grow bag and long sleeves on top but his room seems quite cold. COuld this be waking him?
tia

I use a grow bag and long sleeves too. I also tuck dd in with a blanket (just under her arms) I have had the heating off in her room since she was born but now the cold weather has come in I have it on very low.

How old is ds? Could he be hungry at all?

Hi Thanks for replying. He is 7mths so although should be capable of sleeping through, I do give him a top-up if he wakes before midnight. I will try the extra blanket to see if it makes a difference

he's only been in the world for 7 months, don't leave him to scream for your love and security

Spotty - my DS has a vest, sleep suit and then a fleece sleep suit on top (£3 in Primark).

If he is managing to settle himself to sleep going down then maybe there is another reason he is waking in the night. He could well be cold.

Also, do you have a nightlight?

I leave his door ajar and a light on down the hall. Will layer him up a bit better tonight and see if that does the trick. Thanks

He's only 7 months old - he might be hungry.

i am not convinced a 7 month old should be able to sleep through without a feed

my DS started to sleep through at 21 weeks but it was very hit and miss and really had night feeds on and off for a while after this point

i would try a feed and if he settles then you know it is hunger

If he's not cold or hungry then it could be a phase. I vaguely remember ds been the same. I know the sleep deprivation drives you crazy. Does he nap in the day? Try to sleep when he does. It will pass, he's still very young.

You could maybe try not using a hall light. If they come into a 'light sleep' this may be enough to waken them. My dd is 8 months and sleeps through so I think it is normal for them to do this at this kind of age.

Also, what is his feeding like during the day? Is he well established on solids and does he have a good milk drink before bed??

Good tip re the light, Our baby monitor has a soft night light, maybe I will just try that instead. He is on solids but we are doing baby led weaning so is mainly relying on my milk.
He naps for 30 -60mins in the morning then a 1- 2.5 hr one in the afternoon and the odd 30mins later in the afternoon if he didnt sleep too long earlier. This probably isnt enough but is a vast improvement on what he used to!
He always has a good feed before going into the cot and a top up when he next wakes.

He is nicely settled now so will just have to wait and see what tonight will bring

Thanks everyone for the replies.

If you feed him does he go back to sleep?

Occassionally he does but more often than not No.

If he is waking because he is hungry, why don't you try a 'dream feed' ie lift him before he wakes and feed him, then put him back down. I used to do this with dd (about 10pm)until she was established on solids. If your ds is still relying on milk then I would give this a go. Just go in about that thime, put soft light on, lift him and feed. Keep everything quiet and peaceful and then put him back down. He should hopefully still be sufficiently sleepy enough to go back to sleep.

Last night he went to sleep at 7 with no fuss, up at 10, 12 & 5 , (small feeds at 12 & 5) and went back to sleep each time without a peep!!!

I used all advice - had a pj top over the longsleeved vest & growbag, and a babyblanket over all that. I shut the bedroom door completely so no light except night light, fed when he woke - and it seemed to work.

I know some people might think that 3 wake-ups is alot but we had about 12 the night before and only slept in very short bursts so this was great!! I got a whole 5 hours in one go - havent had that in ages!

Thanks all