screamer

[lucyp]

Have started the control crying thing - after exploring many of the softer options. We have always had a good bedtime routine and up until this month - DS has gone down like a dream . Now we put him in bed and he screeeams and screams! Where has my little boy gone that we used to be put to bed and "chat to the fairies" as we used to call it??

How long should it take???

[JanetF]

It's ok to re-evaluate. It doesn't sound like he likes it much.

[draught]

Hi Lucy
It depends what you mean by "how long should it take". To answer that in a vague sort of way you need to tell us why you started CC - was it because he wouldn't go to sleep without assistance, or because he wouldn't sleep through?

My experience with CC has been different between my two girls - but in both cases by night 3 or 4 the crying only lasted a couple of minutes and after a few more days there wasn't really a protest. One of my girls cries as if her body parts are being ripped off - but then stops to play with things so we know that she isn't as upset as she sounds.

I can't give you lots of answers other than to say that if you think that CC is the answer to the problem you have in your home, the key is consistency and calmness. But if you decide that you aren't ready for it yet, no one will judge you - it is up to you and your family to decide what works best for you all.

[lucyp]

Hi again - sorry - I should have elaborated :) Ds is sleeping through the night (randomly) but it is the going to sleep thing that has started to go pear shaped. He has always self settled very well.

But we have taken away the wrap and popped him in a sleeping bag...which intially went very well but in the last week he protests like a bull - despite being obviously tired ( but not generally overtired) and having a good going to bed routine!

20 minutes of fairly solid crying before he fell asleep( us going in and out etc) before going to sleep tonight - is that an acceptable time???

[draught]

From a pro cc person, 20 mintues is fine - it will lessen quite quickly if you are calm and consistent. And his screaming is a result of the change in going to bed routine - but it will calm down - I promise!

[lucyp]

thanks for being so supportive ! I wish babies came with a manual :) Naaah actually that would take some of the fun out of finding out about what makes your little person tick..... we are just learning!

[lucyp]

ooh one more thing :) I think I read back that you did the "pat and leave " thing - is that exackty what is sounds like?? Pat on bottom or pat tummy or what????

[draught]

I have Pm'd you - it is pat on the bum if they are a tummy sleeper, or on the back works too!

[ThomasMum]

Don't give up lucyp, be patient my pretty :)

Listen to draught, she's giving you fab advice! :D

[flower]

Patting didnt work for me Lucy...gave him the absolute irrits!!
But thats just me!
O's mom.

[red crayon]

Patting didnt work for me Lucy...gave him the absolute irrits!!
But thats just me!
O's mom.

Same here. Any patting and Spencer revs up a notch. I now walk in say "goodnight" and walk out again.

[Chickadee]

Patting did work for us, and I still use it. But I suppose I used it with a bit of CC in that I'd cuddle/hold & pat her till she was calm and then leave the room. If she cried when I left I'd stay out of the room a few minutes to see if she would bring it back down on her own, ie if she was just winging. If they crying got hysterical I'd go back & calm her back down. So I didn't time my absence the way strict CC is but judged it on her tone of yelling. After a week she often would stop crying on her own within 5 minutes, but it probably took a good 3 or 4 weeks to really get her self-settling. So hang in there.

[lucyp]

Thanks ladies! DS went to bed this evening a little easier........that is the screeching banshee act only lasted 10 minutes instead of 15-20! :)

If i go in and pat - it seems to set him off even more... so DH goes in or I go and nudge the cot a bit till he winds down and then walk out again. This appears to be working !!!!

[draught]

Glad to hear that things are settling down for you and your little person - once you find something that works for him then you are on the right path to better sleep for the whole family!

Now to go and practise what I preach.......!