Help with sleep routine

[Jezzy]

Hi Ladies,

Those of you who have bubs that sleep thru the night do they actually sleep thru or do they still wake and require some resettling. My boys are now 8 months old and although they dont feed overnight they dont get their last feed til between 8-9pm but I get up to them at least 6 or more (at worst 20) times per night to resettle with dummies (i know:rolleyes:)they are usually awake at around 6am for a feed then i usually put them back to bed,I try to go back also but they are then again awake about an hour later.
One of the boys is a treat to put down during the day and will settle himself fairly quickly but only cat naps the other has started screaming and fighting going to sleep then will sleep for an hour or more, consequently they NEVER sleep at the same time during the day and between that and the night time awakenings i am a little knackered.
Any advice would about what i am doing wrong would be much appreciated:yes:

Cheers Tina

[monkeytoes]

My advice would be to get rid of their dummies to begin with. I have used dummies with both my girls (so I am not against them), but if the bubs are waking looking for the dummy then that option is not working IMO. They need to learn how to self settle without the dummy.

My other piece of advice for you is work on fixing their day sleeps first. In my experience a baby that sleeps well during the day will then sleep well at night. A baby that is cranky and overtired will be restless at night. I know it's easier said than done, especially as you have 2 bubs! You must be so exhausted yourself:hugs:.

I can recommend good Sleep Consultant, let me know if you want her details and I'll pm you.

[Lucky2b Mum]

You poor thing, it is exhausting!

My advice would also be to get rid of the dummies, and to work on their day sleeps by popping them in a pram and walking until their asleep (no dummies)?? Or do they doze off in the car easily?? If you can break the habit of them expecting a dummy to be in place before they sleep I'm sure it will help.

I'm not against dummies at all, DS2 loves them, but I don't give it to him unless he is really restless and usually only for a day sleep. Once they can fall asleep without dummies you might make some progress.

Good luck, hopefully you'll be able to get some sleep under your belt before they start teething!

[Jezzy]

Thanks for your replies ladies, I am my own worst enemy with regards to the dummies if they wake overnight i go and stick in their dummy cause that = me getting back to sleep quicker :yes:. Having said that they slept thru all night last night, they must have known mum was needing it, but why is it i feel worse this morning after sleeping all night than i do when i spend all night up and down:laughing:
Anyhoo i will try the no dummy thing maybe during the day time sleeps to start.

cheers

[julietv8]

I would get rid of the dummies all together, it will be easier to just do it rather than letting them have them sometimes. You may need to be a bit tough on them for a week or so and try to get them into a consistent routine. Its very emotionally draining, so try and pick a time when you are well rested and wrangle a bit of support.

I used responsive crying, so basically, you put them down, say "time for sleep" and leave. Shut the door and listen outside, if they whinge...just leave them. If they get hysterical, go in a soothe them in the cot (pat, shoosh) until they calm down, offer a drink of water if you think they need it. Dont talk to them and keep stimulation to a minimum.

Rinse and repeat. They will eventually go to sleep. It can take up to 2 hours on the first few tries but I promise it gets better. Please bear in mind that 8 month olds can sometimes still require a night feed so don't feel like you can't include this.

Feel free to PM me if you need any more info

They should be having 2 day naps of around an hour, and sleeping 11.5-12 hours at night.

Whew, hope that helps :D

[~BEXTER~]

Keiara had slept all night long (never waking) from 4 weeks old.


Keiara would have a bottle at 7 and then be put to bed,

her last feed was at 9-10 any later and she never got it, and I fed her while she slept, just picked her up fed her burped her and put her back to bed.

She would sleep until 6am.

However I have been told that a way to stop them waking up during the night is to give them water.
if they are getting the attention from mum they will keep waking for it, even if is to put the dummy back in

So my advise is to give them water when they wake during the night, not many babies will keep waking for water. :)

Good luck.:fingerscrossed:

[patsmum]

My friends son did this she put multiple dummies in the cot on the chance he might have found one!!

Getting rid of dummies would be the best I guess, I use dummies, I love that they can give you a extra 10 mins if your busy!! So I cant give up mine!! Well DS1 did at 18months

I put DS2 down (5 months) with one in his mouth and one hooked over his fingers.

Good Luck!!