Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Sleep

Join our Sleep forum for tips on creating a sleep routine for your baby or toddler. Need more advice on your childs development? Sign up to our Ages and Stages newsletter here.

Sleep training is failing . I need help !

6 replies

Honeyandlemonnn · 15/12/2021 20:20

I started sleep training my now 18 month old almost a month ago. I did this by putting him in his cot and trying to shush him to sleep and sat next to the cot . For the first 2 weeks it was horrible . Constant crying and he was very hysterical. The only reason why I continued was because as the days went by I noticed the crying got shorter and less hysterical so I felt there was an improvement. The one night he didn’t cry cry after I put him in his cot . I rubbed his back to sleep. The second night after that was even better . I didn’t have to do anything I just sat next to the cot and he fell asleep by himself . The third night he started fussing and crying a little but I continued to shush him to sleep and rubbed his back. In fact this night was the most surprising because he managed to sleep for the whole night ever . I was so pleased and thought that this method had worked . But then randomly on the fourth night he got very hysterical and it took me about two hours to put him to sleep as he kept fighting his sleep to cry. This is how he was acting during the first week. And today is the firth night since and he’s very hysterical, pulling me to grab him. Again crying like he did during the first few days I started . I have been consistent and always put him to sleep in his cot . I am not sure why this has happened . I’m just desperate and exhausted. I feel hurt at the fact that I genuinely thought this was working but now I’m realising it’s failing . I don’t know what to do anymore

OP posts:
Honeyandlemonnn · 15/12/2021 20:24

Honestly tonight feels even worst. He’s been more determined and will not be settled . It’s like he keeps getting worst and worst

OP posts:
mayblossominapril · 15/12/2021 20:27

It doesn’t work for every child. Mine cried and screamed at the same volume and duration for quite a few nights before I gave up.
There would have been a point where imhe got it but it’s a case of how long are you happy to persist until they get it. A week, a fortnight (what I tried), a month.
I found changing the day time routine and ensuring he got enough food in the day so wasn’t wanting bf at night improved his sleep. The attempt at sleep training was exhausting. I’ve got number two who’s 16 months and she’s in a solid napping routine and I’m about to start the ensure you eat more in the day so you’re not hungry at night part. I reckon she’ll sleep through in a couple of months.

ShirleyPhallus · 15/12/2021 20:27

Keep at it, baby sleep isn’t linear and you just want the general pattern to improve

Do exactly what you’re doing, keep with him and shush him, tell him it’s time for sleep, just be consistent

Honeyandlemonnn · 15/12/2021 20:32

@mayblossominapril he stopped breastfeeding at night a long time ago. I don’t believe he is hungry as I give him something to eat before Bed and because he sleeps for the whole night when he’s in my bed without waking up .

OP posts:
Honeyandlemonnn · 15/12/2021 20:34

@ShirleyPhallus yes I thought to continue but it’s disheartening how he seemed to be making a good improvement to now regressing backwards

OP posts:
mayblossominapril · 15/12/2021 20:37

Can you put him to sleep in your bed and either transfer him when he’s asleep or (and this is what I did) you go and sleep in a different bed.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Swipe left for the next trending thread