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beezee
23-11-2006, 19:01
Hi,

We are investigating strategies to get our 5 month old to sleep at night - she's brilliant during the day and puts herself to sleep within minutes but at night she gets quite angry when she's put in her cot. I say angry because that's the best way I can describe it! She begins crying within seconds of being put down and will only stop once she's been picked up again (tears stop immediately). To date, we've been going in to her and settling her every few minutes by giving her a dummy or a cuddle - and I've got to admit we've given in one too many times and gotten her out of the cot which is probably a million steps backward! This usually takes around 15-60minutes depending.

She is exhibiting all the tired signs but just seems to stubbornly fight it. She sleeps through quite well once she is asleep - usually around 12 -13 hours so it's just the getting to sleep we're having problems with.

The cc technique worked well with my son (quite a few years ago) and it took only about a week until he self settled. It's been nearly ten years since he was this age though so I'm a bit rusty.

I'm interested in giving it a go again but realise a lot of things have changed between babies and I was wondering what the recommended framework of controlled crying actually is these days?
How often do you go to them? I'm assuming we've done the wrong thing in "giving in" and getting her out of bed but what are the suggested techniques for settling them?

I can't seem to find the info I'm looking for on the net but I'm keen on getting some structure out of our current haphazard approach. She'd been quite ill for a while and I think we've perpetuated a few bad habits in the meantime.


Thanks
Beezee

Shanaynay
23-11-2006, 19:14
Hi Beezee,
Check with your ECHN clinic. When I had my first DD almost 3 years ago, they had some excellent vidoes available for loan. I watched one on controlled crying and I think it showed very clearly what steps to take when trying out CC. It was an excellent video. I'd assume most ECHN clinics would have similar videos.
HTH.

Roopee
24-11-2006, 21:05
Hi
This is a basic outline that we did with our DS1.
Let him cry for 2 minutes then went in and settled him down BUT not to talk. Leave.

Let him cry for 4 mins, settle, no talking. Leave.

Let him cry for 6 minuets, settle no talking leave.

Repeat the process as necessarry.

It took 2 days for him to sleep well on his own.

Goos Luck- hope this helps.

Rhys'Mum
27-11-2006, 09:29
I think the suggestion to chat with your MACH nurse is a great one.

They usually have leaflets they can give you that outline a recommended strategy. It can also be a good foot in the door if you later find you need help and a referral to a residential program like tresillion, Karitane, QE11 etc. You may well find you are OK but I'm a big believer in just in case and using the support available rather than do it the hard way. This mothering gig is hard enough as it is...