CC during the day question

[~Bec~]

Ds is usually a pretty good sleeper during the nights, however, during the day he often needs to be rocked, stroked etc to get off to sleep.

For various reasons I would prefer he be able to get to sleep in his cot with some initial cuddles followed by stroking, comforting and playing his little music. So we started CC this morning. Very successful. We only needed to reassure him twice before he went to sleep. The problem is that during the day, usually when he finishes a sleep cycle (30 mins) he wakes. If I race in the room, put his dummy back in and give him a little encouragement I can usually get him to go back to sleep for another cycle but I don't know if this is in line with CC. I'm reluctant to leave him to get back to sleep by himself - but thinking about it now I probably should.
Thoughts? Suggestions?

[Mrs Little]

Hiya.

Are you leaving him with his eyes open when you put him to sleep intially?

Babies will often struggle to go back to sleep after 45 mins if something is different. Ie. if music was playing before they went to sleep but not now.

Personally, i would go in and do what you're doing. HEHE...but i'm pretty sure the rule of thumb would be that you have to do the comforting routine if they wake up midway too.

Mrs Little & Sons.

[~Bec~]

Thanks Mrs Little.
When I leave the room initially his eyes are still open. We always play a little electronic music toy when we're trying to get him off to sleep which is obviuosly not on when he wakes up.
Unless he's asleep in my arms he very rarely sleeps longer than about 40 mins. At the moment he's in a feed-play-sleep-play-sleep routine which means a lot of clock watching on my behalf. I tried going through the comforting routine when he woke this afternoon after 40 mins but after 3 attempts gave up. (He's only 4 months and I'm reluctant to leave him to cry for too long or too often.) He was still tired though because he's just fallen asleep in his rocking chair.

[Mrs Little]

Hi Again.

Goodluck with whatever option you choose. I like to encourage mum's to go for what feels right for them. No point doing something you will regret later if you never wanted to do it in the first place.

I know it's not advocated for babies under 6 months, but it is possible. And it is what most sleep schools will tell you- no matter what age.

Crying is ok. The length and severity of the cry is determined by you. I don't watch the clock with my controlled comforting. I go by my motherly heart strings.:yes: If i think their cry is bad or they are getting worked up- then i go in and comfort. If it's a grizzle...then i generally leave them to settle themselves.

Sounds like your little one is tired, if he's falling asleep in the rocker. Least if you wanted to try controlled comforting after waking up from his 45 mins sleep- you know that he is tired coz he's gone back to sleep so many times afterwards.

I was always told that you need to continue controlled comforting until the allocated 'sleep time' is up. This sleep time is generally 1.5hrs each time (at this age). It's so easy to cave in to them though. I know how hard it must have been for you, there are so many other things round the house to be doing and you can't bear to hear them cry. But it's your choice and you need to be happy with what you decide..coz he's going to be living in YOUR house. LOL.

Keep doing the great job your doing.

(BTW- is there any chance he's waking after 45 mins for any other reasons? Like noise, hungry, nappy change, growth spurt, irregular routine, etc?)

Mrs Little & Sons.

[~Bec~]

Hi - I don't think he's waking for any other reason. He's got a great temperament as he only cries when he's hungry or tired (or when I abandon him in his cot :( ). At creche all the other babies and toddlers around him might be crying and he'll just lie in the bouncer without a peep.

I'll give it another go tomorrow. I've got a cold at the moment so I'm not going out anywhere which would make it a good day to pursue this. I might try and keep him awake a bit longer after a feed as well.

Thanks for the advice. :wave:

[Cordelia]

I know babies are all different but I had the same problem with DD.. and I found that waiting a little longer to put her down helped. I had to be careful that she didn't get TOO overtired tho because then she'd never go to sleep! Tough Balance :P :banghead: