Pick up put down - please explain. OK during teething?

[Zinger]

Looking for a gentle way to cope with teething hell - DD (9.5 months) has barely slept at all for over a month now and we end up putting her in our bed far more than we should (we don't want her to start rejecting her cot altogether). I also occasionally resort to breastfeeding even though she gave up feeding in the night months ago (she was sleeping 12 hours when this started) - and even that doesnt always work.

I'm at the end of my tether.

What are the 'rules' of p-u-p-d? Anyone used it during teething?

Anyone??

Hi Zinger. I used this method. Will be back in 5 minutes to give you some details x

sorry about that - cooking dinner and the rice was burning!!

I found this approach gentle and effective.

I think that the first thing that you need to do is decide if you do not want her in your bed anymore. If you dont then make a commitment to the plan and dont cuddle her to sleep in your bed any more. The reason I say this is that the routine will only work if your dd has a clear understanding that no matter what she does (cry, scream) you will not put her in your bed. When she excepts this she will go down in her cot better. So make a pact with yourself that no matter how tired you are - this is a new routine and it will work.

The pick up put down is literally as it says. When dd cries try soothing her to sleep (stoking hair ) if this doesnt work pick her up and cuddle her (no rocking or talking) then as soon (and this is important) the minute she stops crying put her back in her cot.

Keep doing this. At first it might be that you literally pick her up and put her down again 40 times in one night! But as soon as she realises that this is it and that you wont feed or put her in your bed, it will get better.

Then eventually it might be that you only do this 1 or 2 times a night - then eventually never.

My ds was a terrible sleeper and this method really sorted our problems out. And with you dd teething is a very effective tool, because it is gentle. Be warned at first she probably will not be happy - butthat is because things are changing and is her way of saying "hey mum what are you doing!". When she gets used to it she will settle.

I hope that all of this makes sense.

you are giving adequate pain relief for the teething aren't you ?

Another thing. make sure that she is eating enough during the day and isnt waking due to hunger.

Also as you put this routine into place make it easy on yourself. Make sure you have somewhere comfy in her room in case you end up settling her a lot, share the responsibilty with somebody else whilst you are doing this, perhaps take in turns or get somebody to look after her for an hour whilst you nap in the day. Anything to make it easier on yourself.

Thanks very much joanneg. Very helpful - just what I needed.

Twiglett, we've tried Calpol, Ibuprofen, Medised, Teetha granules, Calgel ..... !

Didn't try PUPD last night as DD was more distressed than ever - first waking was 1 hour after being put down and she was screaming with pain - this continued for another 3 hours with short sleeps and DH & I taking turns at holding her when she cried - pain relief did nothing at all so I just took her into bed with me. I will try PUPD, but need to wait till the worst of this phase is over as the crying is clearly due to pain at the moment and not bad sleep habits (which was what had been beginning to worry me). Will keep your advice up my sleeve joanneg - thanks again.

glad I made sense!! was unsure if I was waffling!

Make sure that you distinguish between crying in pain and crying because she wants to snuggle up in your nice warm comfy bed! At the moment no doubt her gums are hurting her, but as time goes on and she is still doing it be firmer.

Think you are doing a grand job and you sound so caring and patient. SO dont let it all get you down. I promise it does pass x

Thank you joanneg - very reassuring Bad day today (definitely pain) so I think we're in for another long night ....

Zinger, how is it going? Is she still in pain?

Yep, it's still going badly, thanks for asking joanneg. And yes, the 'pain' cry and behaviour is very different from other cries. When she wakes only an hour after going down and cries even in your arms/bed, you know she's in trouble. I'm about to start another thread re. comfort feeding because PUPD is going to have to wait till I'm feeling a lot stronger and am convinced that DD's waking is due at least in part to bad sleep habits rather than pain. She did have one night of 8 hours' sleep in her cot recently (without any medication), which gives me hope that she hasn't lost her good sleep habits altogether.