Help. I need HELP!My little munchkin used to be a GREAT sleeper. He would go to sleep by 8, wake up at 4 or 5, and sleep until 8.
Then we moved.
Now he is an awful sleeper. Last night I put him to bed at 7, because he was exhausted and he woke up at 12, 2, 4, 6 and finally around 7:45 for the day. He even napped pretty well yesterday, but refused his last nap.
I can't do this any more. He is almost 6 months old, he should be sleeping through the night. Not every night is like this, but most nights, he wakes up multiple times. We went through a period of inconsolable crying during the middle of the night. It was horrible. I'm sure our neighbors love us. He doesn't have an ear ache, and I haven't seen any sign of a tooth.
I've read online that a move can really mess up their sleeping. I'm starting to reconsider this move, just kidding, but my 2 am self is.
Advice Please. I know you all have it. So save me.
oh yeah, he rolls, it's a huge pain and won't sleep on his tummy. Oh yeah, one more thing, out of desperation, I tried a little cry it out session. He won - he went for 45 minutes. Don't judge, we were checking on him.
Above picture is to showcase his hair. It naturally stands straight up. I love it.
15 comments:
I am a total believer in letting them cry it out. It saved my sanity. If you know he's capable of sleeping through the night, he's getting enough to eat, and he's healthy, I say GO FOR IT! However, once you decide to do it you have to do it full throttle. I knew that if I kept going in to Ella's nursery, it would go on all night. So I just let her cry. (Ella's pediatrician had given me the green light.) Invest in some ear plugs. The first night we did this, she screamed and cried for two hours! The second night, one hour, and the third night, 30 minutes. But from there on out, she slept through the night without waking up. Our neighbors probably hated us, a lot of people probably think I'm a horrible mother, but I think I really would have lost it if I didn't do it. It's SO hard going though it but it's SO worth it in the end.
Cry it out baby. I busted out the ipod and did some work on the computer because I didn't want to sleep until I knew he was asleep. Took about 2 hours. Next night 30 min. Man up! You Can do it! Bring your neighbors some muffins.
The same thing happened with Graham. He was a great sleeper for a long time and then suddenly started waking up in the middle of the night several times a week. So annoying. He would scream and scream for no apparent reason and there was absolutely nothing we could do to calm him down. It think it was just because he was tired and shouldn't have woken up.
I have to agree with the other girls that have commented. Crying it out usually works great. I am not awesome at actually doing it because I can't stand the sound of crying but if you can tune it out, it will work. Elliot did it with Graham while I was out of town for a week and cured him of it! Elliot said he cried for a long time one night but then finally went back to sleep and the next night it was a lot shorter crying time. He still wakes up occasionally in the night but not nearly as often and he hardly ever gets hysterical anymore.
Good luck!
Ug, I was afraid of this. I don't think there is anything wrong with the cry it out method, it's just the fact that he will scream for a really long time. Oh yeah, and Bill has to work, he doesn't necessarily want to listen to him for hours on end.
I guess I know what I've got to do.
Boo.
When he wakes up in the night does he eat or just cry? If he eats then maybe start giving him some rice cereal with his last feeding before bed.
My other idea is to swaddle him. My boys had a hard time sleeping once they could roll. They had to be swaddled so they couldn't move then they would go to sleep.
If you've already tried those ideas then I'm with the others that crying it out is your best option. Good luck.
It was the same for us with Mark at six months and I was losing my sanity. You do have to cry it out. I highly recommend getting Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child by Marc Weissbluth. It's got lots of science in it to tell you why it's okay to let him cry. It's hard at first, but you can do it!
I 6th the cry it out method. And don't check on him, cuz it breaks your heart. Turn off the monitor (if you're using it), turn on a fan in your room, and realize you're doing the kindest thing for EVERYONE (in the long run. Hardest thing ever for you to do!). But, you can do it, and you'll all sleep better for it. And your baby will be happier. I'm so sorry you're going through it! It stinks and makes one question their parenting skills...but I think most people who move or go on vacation around that age go through it (we did with Sheridan and Henry).
It's so hard to listen to them cry isn't it?! We swaddled Will until he was 7 months! That and the rocking him to sleep got to be too much for me so we had to let him cry it out. I think it took a few days, but after that he was golden! And they just have to get used to being on their tummy.
Best decision I ever made!
Thanks girls. We tried it last night. 2 am - 3:45. It should get better after this right? I can do this. I'll be happier, he'll be happier.
Looked up the blog during the middle of the night, and your comments kept me strong.
Melissa, how are you swaddling? Either Asher is He-man or we don't swaddle well, because nothing can keep him from rolling - and he'll eventually get at least an arm out.
I was never good at it, but the good news is that it's easier to ignore the screams of child #2 (even though Adam never really required it). I should have done it with Cami. Instead, she slept with Clint & I for way too long.
maybe he just needs to come visit his auntie . . . :)
did you check out my piano teacher's blog (bonnie) with the book report on the let your child cry book?
love the hair btw.
Get the book Healthy Sleep Habits Happy Child. This book totally saved us. It has lots of ideas and teaches you about sleep in children and babies.
as much as i HATED it, we let the twins cry it out...for 3 nights. the first night was straight crying for a few hours and we checked on them every 15 mins. worst night of my life. but, it was better the next night and now they sleep 7pm-6am normally. it's worth it.
Kate, it will totally get better! Rachel cried for an hour and a half two nights in a row and then it got a little less nights after. You're doing great!! Keep it up!
If you're going the popular "cry-it-out method," try not to be offended by the dirty looks and pounding on the walls from your neighbors ;)
I also LOVE the hair. We really need to come see it personally!
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