In reality, tonight we sleep train. God help us.
We were probably ready to start sleep training weeks ago but put it off for various reasons. I wanted to see the doctor for her 4-month check up and make sure she was at a healthy weight and that there was no medical reason for her to nurse 2-3 times during the night. I also wanted to get his take on our process. With the trip we made over the weekend, I didn't see the point in starting before completely disrupting our schedule.
Mentally, I'm torn. I have been ready for this for at least a month. Ready for a full night's sleep. Sweet baby Reese wakes up 2-3x per night and even though I go right back to sleep, it is most certainly taking a toll on me. (Most evident by my crashing on the couch around 9:15pm last night...)
But listening to my baby cry in the middle of the night? That's going to be a challenge.
Our doctor recommended we do a modified Ferber method. Tonight we will put her in her crib and come back at 5-10-20-40 minute intervals. He said that we are not allowed to even pick her up and if we must make physical contact that 2 quick pats on the back or rump will suffice. We are to say in a firm but soothing voice, "Reese, it's time for sleep. Mommy and Daddy love you very much. Good night."
She will evenutally pass out and will wake up again probably around midnight if she follows her schedule. We follow the same pattern as above, and again when she invariably wakes up around 3am.
If all goes well,she won't get up for real until 6:30-7am, but we'll see.
The next night, we repeat but do 10-20-40 instead. The third night I think we do 20-40-60 (if she makes it that long). Hopefully there won't be a fourth night.
We chose tonight because I'm off tomorrow and can recoup and then its the weekend. I suspect this will be harder on me though we did it with Addy. It's not that C doesn't care, but he's more practical about how this is not a selfish move, she is ready too.
After this weekend, assuming it all worked, there will be no more baby stuff in our room!! Bye bassinet! See ya changing pad and diapers! Hello our room, back to the way it was.
Wish us luck!
I think this modified method sounds great, good luck to you mama!!
ReplyDeleteHope all is going well with it! I didn't get to talk to you at the party, since we didn't go... I didn't realize that she was still nursing that much at night. Baby E would only wake up once to nurse by about 4 months, though then started waking up 2-3 times. I would only nurse her when it was after midnight for her 1 time a night. At 6 months, we moved her to her own room, and the first night there, she didn't even wake up once! We lucked out not having to sleep train. (I'm hoping we'll luck out again with this one!) :)
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