LB use to sleep like a charm. 8-9 hours each night with no fight to go to sleep or anything. But then he started teething. Once he began that he was up every 2-3 hours. I really felt like we had a newborn again, except this time around he would not calm down no matter what we did.
We decided to start sleep training LB and last night was the first night. So hard. He cried for almost an hour before giving in to sleep. Then when he woke up at 3am he cried for 20 minutes But then he didn't wake up again until 6:30. I would say for the first night it was pretty successful since he only woke up one time after the initial bed time. I am just hoping it really does get easier.
I should also mention I really didn't want to resort to making him cry it out. I really felt like we could get him to sleep and have him stay asleep without crying. But after three weeks of him getting up all the time and refusing to fall back asleep without nursing I knew it was time to give in and try something else. I know he didn't need to nurse and I also knew that he could sleep for long stretches since he was doing it before teething. I also know he was using nursing to comfort him back to sleep as he wasn't really eating much just latching on and falling right asleep. Has this happened to any of you moms? Please assure me that this is normal and he will go back to sleeping well.
I was quite the mess last night through that hour of crying. Seriously, I made hubs get up each time because I knew I would pick him up or start crying with him. It just seems so cruel to me to let LB sit in his crib and cry but we cannot co-sleep. Hubs is a wreck in his sleep and many nights I wake up to an elbow in the head, gut, or back and I know hubs would smash LB if he was in there with us. Plus we want to keep our bed and our bedroom to ourselves. So yes, no co-sleeping here.
Needless to say after last night I am slightly a mess. Words of encouragement are welcomed :)
oh honey, I feel ya (still!). My daughter was never a good sleeper and by 6-8months I too had to resort to CIO. It isn't my favorite thing even now, but for her there is no alternative. She is starting to cry at bedtime again for 30+ minutes before she will go to sleep. It is gut wrenching and I hate it, but if I try and comfort her it starts the whole process over. Hang in there, I can't say it will get easier, but he will eventually learn to sleep on his own and you will be glad you gave him the skills to self-soothe. hugs!
ReplyDeleteYep, totally normal and it will pass. But I know exactly how you feel, and how exhausted you must be. We used the Ferber method for Celia when she was 8 months, because she was waking up every half hour wanting to be on the boob all night long. We were all so tired and miserable. I'm generally an attachment parenting type, so it was not an easy decision. It's SO hard to hear them cry, but if you're consistent with what you're doing it shouldn't take long before things are a lot better.
ReplyDeleteHope things get better soon, and try not to stress too much. Each night is a step toward better nights ahead.
I am sure it's normal.. although I haven't been there quite yet! But honestly, a full night's sleep is very important, both for you and LB. So it is definitely not mean for you to let him cry if it means you are teaching him how to self-soothe and how to fall asleep on his own. You are a wonderful mother, and even more amazing when you aren't completely sleep deprived! It's just a phase... and when it's all done you'll have wisdom to share with me when Colton is in this stage! GOOD LUCK LOVE YOU!
ReplyDeleteHey dear! If it is teething, have you tried the tablets? If it's comfort nursing, it's just something he needs to work through. I'm sorry! I agree with Jessica, he is learning to self soothe. Poor guy and poor Mama! Sometimes at the end of my rope I pulled Gooner into bed and it did NO good. Neither she nor I got any sleep!
ReplyDelete