is/was your LO a really bad sleeper? support and advise thread!

[Lulu1982]

He angel, yes she mans and cries, she is the same, if we get in there lightening fast to settle her she will g back off quickly but that was part of the problem in the she just couldn't settle herself. Last night she was ANGRY. She threw it all at me and some. I can machine how much harder it is with two as as soon as one settles the other one wakes him up again.

We just needed to nip her need for us to settle her in the bud (she used to have a dummy and would wake ever 20 minutes for it all night, so I took it away).

It's almost even harder because I know that if I go and stroke her face she will be asleep in less than 5 minutes but e end result seems as though it will be worth it for us.xx

 

[kosh]

oh, sorry angel your night was so bad!

and glad you're so much better lulu

well, my night went like this. went down at 7pm,woke up at 8pm and then a further 2 wakes in the space of 30 mins. Then she slept all the way until 1.30am,had a quick feed and went back down until 3.30/4am (not too sure what time it was exactly?? was half asleep as per usual ) she then slept until 6am when it was time to get up.
so all in all not a bad night at all
Hope everyone else's nights weren't too awful.
I wonder how "Dame Kosh's" night was?

thanks
glad your night was ok, mine wasn't perfect but not too bad either.
see if i remember went to sleep at 8pm,woke up at 10pm (BF) then at midnight (resettled with no BF), then woke up several times due to gas pain (but went back to sleep with a little rocking!) and then maybe once (or twice?) to feed. up for the day at 7am.
what i def see as an improvement is that now he's finding other ways of falling asleep, like the face stroking yesterday. it's funny because for pp lulu that's a negative but for us it's a positive! in fact anything that helps him to sleep that is NOT a boob is for us!
oh,and did i mention that LO is becoming a professional thumb sucker? again, a few months ago i hated the idea of him sucking his thumb,but again, if it gives comfort....what do you think ladies?

oh,and do your LOs wake up constantly due to gas like mine??

 

[AngelUK]

I don't think it is gas though he doesn't always burp. He is just so used to being rocked that he wants that ALL the time. The problem is that he is getting too heavy for me cause he insists on being rocked while I stand and swing him right and left. Sitting down is not allowed! Gah!

 

[MrsHedgehog]

We had an incredible night! Bed at midnight and she didn't wake until 7am!! I've a feeling she might have latched on at some point during that time but I barely woke so can't really remember. At 7am she had a BF then went back to sleep until 10:30am, had another BF and went back to sleep and is still sleeping now at 11:30. We didn't do anything differently so no idea why she slept so well. I feel like a new woman after so much sleep!

 

[MrsHedgehog]

thanks
glad your night was ok, mine wasn't perfect but not too bad either.
see if i remember went to sleep at 8pm,woke up at 10pm (BF) then at midnight (resettled with no BF), then woke up several times due to gas pain (but went back to sleep with a little rocking!) and then maybe once (or twice?) to feed. up for the day at 7am.
what i def see as an improvement is that now he's finding other ways of falling asleep, like the face stroking yesterday. it's funny because for pp lulu that's a negative but for us it's a positive! in fact anything that helps him to sleep that is NOT a boob is for us!
oh,and did i mention that LO is becoming a professional thumb sucker? again, a few months ago i hated the idea of him sucking his thumb,but again, if it gives comfort....what do you think ladies?

oh,and do your LO wake up constantly due to gas like mine??

Settling without boob would be amazing for us too. I actually consider settling without boob to be self settling for my LO! She won't tolerate being rocked, either screams or giggles thinking it's a game. She doesn't like to be cuddled really and wouldn't lie still enough for me to stroke her face. Her attempts at putting herself to sleep are quite hilarious. She'll lay down on the bed for about 2 seconds then get up and try another position. She tries all sorts of positions trying to get comfy before usually I'll give up and give her boob. Occasionally she will actually lie still for long enough to fall asleep sometimes in the funniest position like with her cheek resting on my cheek, sprawled across my neck like a scarf, hanging half out of the bed. It's happened maybe 5 or 6 times max.

As for gas, I do think that's sometimes what wakes LO so much, she's always farting during the night!

 

[kosh]

I don't think it is gas though he doesn't always burp. He is just so used to being rocked that he wants that ALL the time. The problem is that he is getting too heavy for me cause he insists on being rocked while I stand and swing him right and left. Sitting down is not allowed! Gah!

you know, at about your LOs age mine was exactly the same, he had to be rocked standing up and swinging, and there was NO way I could sit down, not even when he was almost asleep, nope! I too started worrying that I soon wouldn't be able to rock him anymore (he's heavy too) and tried other methods (swing, push chair, etc) but they didn't work, until one day I decided to rock him sitting down from the start. He wriggled a bit at the beginning, but then got the idea that that was the 'new method' to fall asleep and was fine! i still have to rock him to sleep but being able to do it sitting down or in bed makes such a difference. so you never know, hopefully Dom will do the same!

 

[kosh]

thanks
glad your night was ok, mine wasn't perfect but not too bad either.
see if i remember went to sleep at 8pm,woke up at 10pm (BF) then at midnight (resettled with no BF), then woke up several times due to gas pain (but went back to sleep with a little rocking!) and then maybe once (or twice?) to feed. up for the day at 7am.
what i def see as an improvement is that now he's finding other ways of falling asleep, like the face stroking yesterday. it's funny because for pp lulu that's a negative but for us it's a positive! in fact anything that helps him to sleep that is NOT a boob is for us!
oh,and did i mention that LO is becoming a professional thumb sucker? again, a few months ago i hated the idea of him sucking his thumb,but again, if it gives comfort....what do you think ladies?

oh,and do your LO wake up constantly due to gas like mine??

Settling without boob would be amazing for us too. I actually consider settling without boob to be self settling for my LO! She won't tolerate being rocked, either screams or giggles thinking it's a game. She doesn't like to be cuddled really and wouldn't lie still enough for me to stroke her face. Her attempts at putting herself to sleep are quite hilarious. She'll lay down on the bed for about 2 seconds then get up and try another position. She tries all sorts of positions trying to get comfy before usually I'll give up and give her boob. Occasionally she will actually lie still for long enough to fall asleep sometimes in the funniest position like with her cheek resting on my cheek, sprawled across my neck like a scarf, hanging half out of the bed. It's happened maybe 5 or 6 times max.

As for gas, I do think that's sometimes what wakes LO so much, she's always farting during the night!

^^^ same for us, that's why I am sooo pleased that he's at least trying to put himself to sleep by other means!

 

[firefly15]

Well, my update is another positive one

We are now on night 4 of completely self settling for bedtime!! Tonight took a lot longer than the other three as he fell asleep in the car at 5pm so had an unplanned nap, but I feel really proud of him. Despite the extra nap and slightly later bedtime he tried for about 25 minutes to go to sleep on his own, with no fuss. When he couldn't do it he just put his arms up to me and started looking for boob again so I started the bedtime feed and bed routine again - gave him another mini feed, quick cuddle and then back down and he put himself to sleep in 2 minutes!! Does it sound weird that I feel really proud of him for this?! To us it's such a big deal that he can suddenly do this as he's needed SO much help in the past.

Last night we had more wake ups than the previous 3 but still great in comparison to usual. He went to sleep at 7, then sounded like he was having a bad dream around 8.30 and woke up shortly afterwards and was quite upset and needed a feed to go back to sleep, then slept til 11.45 (BF), back down til 4 (BF) but then woke at 5.30 and up for the day at 6.30. I think the 5.30 and 6.30 wake ups were due to teething pain as he had his hands shoved in his mouth when I went in and seemed to be in pain and a bit upset but he didn't need a feed to go back down at 5.30, just a cuddle and a bit of rocking so pleased with that too.

I really cannot believe the improvement that we've seen this week, totally out of the blue with nothing different to normal in his day or routine.

Really hoping that everyone has a good night tonight. I'm partly wondering if I'm actually so sleep deprived that I've fallen asleep somewhere and this improvement is actually just a dream. Sooooooo hoping that this stays this way.

to everyone and don't give up hope that self settling can suddenly click, I'm actually starting to think that maybe LO has worked it out as surely 4 nights in a row isn't a fluke? Is it? xx

ETA: Kosh - any settling without boob is brilliant! I always considered it a total triumph when we could get LO back to sleep without a boob, regardless of the method used!

 

[kosh]

Well, my update is another positive one

We are now on night 4 of completely self settling for bedtime!! Tonight took a lot longer than the other three as he fell asleep in the car at 5pm so had an unplanned nap, but I feel really proud of him. Despite the extra nap and slightly later bedtime he tried for about 25 minutes to go to sleep on his own, with no fuss. When he couldn't do it he just put his arms up to me and started looking for boob again so I started the bedtime feed and bed routine again - gave him another mini feed, quick cuddle and then back down and he put himself to sleep in 2 minutes!! Does it sound weird that I feel really proud of him for this?! To us it's such a big deal that he can suddenly do this as he's needed SO much help in the past.

Last night we had more wake ups than the previous 3 but still great in comparison to usual. He went to sleep at 7, then sounded like he was having a bad dream around 8.30 and woke up shortly afterwards and was quite upset and needed a feed to go back to sleep, then slept til 11.45 (BF), back down til 4 (BF) but then woke at 5.30 and up for the day at 6.30. I think the 5.30 and 6.30 wake ups were due to teething pain as he had his hands shoved in his mouth when I went in and seemed to be in pain and a bit upset but he didn't need a feed to go back down at 5.30, just a cuddle and a bit of rocking so pleased with that too.

I really cannot believe the improvement that we've seen this week, totally out of the blue with nothing different to normal in his day or routine.

Really hoping that everyone has a good night tonight. I'm partly wondering if I'm actually so sleep deprived that I've fallen asleep somewhere and this improvement is actually just a dream. Sooooooo hoping that this stays this way.

to everyone and don't give up hope that self settling can suddenly click, I'm actually starting to think that maybe LO has worked it out as surely 4 nights in a row isn't a fluke? Is it? xx

ETA: Kosh - any settling without boob is brilliant! I always considered it a total triumph when we could get LO back to sleep without a boob, regardless of the method used!

oh wow firefly this is BRILLIANT!!!
and was this totally out of the blue with no 'help'? (sorry I don't remember if you'd started some 'training')
you know, i just put LO to sleep and I too had the feeling he's starting to 'get it' somehow. we had a somewhat rushed bedtime routine (wash, body lotion, feed) but this time he didn't fall asleep on the boob, he came off and laid on the bed, chatting and cooing first and then grizzling and moaning (as if really trying).he was like this for 10min and then started to get more fussy/distressed so I picked him up and rocked him but in fact I almost didn't move,just held him upright. he pushed back away from me so I laid him down again and by the time his head was on the bed he was already asleep!!!

I totally get what you say about being so proud of your LO,because I feel the same!!

self-settling dust to everyone



ETA - just read your post again and realised there was no trainign involved.
it makes me so happy!!

 

[lisa1980]

Firefly - wow! That's really promising and SUCH an improvement. Maybe this thread WILL be a lucky charm after all

Lulu - I read your other CC thread with interest as that's probably my next step unless things continue to improve for us as they are at the moment. I'm glad it seems to be working for you!

Kosh - the self-settling is amazing, your LO seems to be getting the hang of it. I'd be happy of my LO decided to suck his thumb tbh...at least he could find it for himself in the night unlike the damn dummies!!

It seems like a fair few of us have had some improvement so fingers crossed it continues (and spreads to those who are still up all night)

Well we stayed at my parents' house last night as we went out for SIL's birthday. I wanted to get LO to sleep before we left because he's been so difficult for anyone but me to settle in the evening, but he wasn't playing ball so was sleepy but awake when we left Apparently my mum said that he cried for 5-10mins total when he got really sleepy and was looking around for me but didn't get really distressed at any point (she was under STRICT instructions to call me if he did!) and he settled when she sang to him and rocked him to sleep.

He slept until I went up to bed when he woke and I BF him (around 11.30pm) and put him in our bed. He then woke at 3.30am for a feed, stayed awake until 4.30am chatting to himself, then back to sleep (cuddling with Daddy!) until 7.30pm so overall pretty good really and only 2 nightfeeds again for several nights in a row which is excellent for us.

I'm pleased for two reasons. 1) He's waking less in the night on average, and feeding less often, 2) He settled to sleep for my mum without me around without having a total meltdown. This feels like progress and I'm hoping it continues. I can totally handle 2 night feeds - a vast improvement from feeding every hour!!

We still need to work on getting him to settle at bedtime and the frequent evening wakes but one thing at a time eh?

p.s I'm SURE I'm completely jinxing it now and he'll wake 15 times tonight purely because I've had the cheek to type this post

p.p.s Sleepy dust to everyone for tonight

 

[kosh]

lisa -
even if you jinx it it's still great improvemnet!

 

[firefly15]

Lisa and Kosh - yay for improvements and double yay Lisa for LO settling for your mum and Kosh for LO self settling!

Lulu - fingers crossed things continue to work and get better

Angel - and hope you have a much, much better night tonight. You are superwoman. I have no idea how you do it with twins but you deserve some really good nights soon, so hopefully this thread can work the magic for you!

MrsHedgehog - just seen your post too and fantastic you had a good night! What a difference a decent night makes, so pleased for you!

 

[kosh]

thanks firefly

Lisa and Kosh - yay for improvements and double yay Lisa for LO settling for your mum and Kosh for LO self settling!

Lulu - fingers crossed things continue to work and get better

Angel - and hope you have a much, much better night tonight. You are superwoman. I have no idea how you do it with twins but you deserve some really good nights soon, so hopefully this thread can work the magic for you!

^^this

 

[AngelUK]

Aww guys you are sweet But you must not give me too much credit! I only do the nightwatch every other night as OH and I alternate. This means that I get to sleep the whole night every other night, like tonight I think I have an awesome man and I cannot be grateful enough for all he does

But yes here is hoping the night goes better than last. So far Dom is waking every 30 mins or so. I really want to know WHY?! My angelic little Sebastian has been sleeping since we put them to bed, except for when Dominic cried so loud round 8 that he woke and cried a bit too.

Hope your evening battles are going more smoothly and that the night will bring refreshment to you all!

 

[firefly15]

Aww guys you are sweet But you must not give me too much credit! I only do the nightwatch every other night as OH and I alternate. This means that I get to sleep the whole night every other night, like tonight I think I have an awesome man and I cannot be grateful enough for all he does

But yes here is hoping the night goes better than last. So far Dom is waking every 30 mins or so. I really want to know WHY?! My angelic little Sebastian has been sleeping since we put them to bed, except for when Dominic cried so loud round 8 that he woke and cried a bit too.

Hope your evening battles are going more smoothly and that the night will bring refreshment to you all!

Yes, but every other night with 2 babies is like us doing every night with 1 You do have an awesome man so yay for Mr Angel!!

 

[kosh]

Aww guys you are sweet But you must not give me too much credit! I only do the nightwatch every other night as OH and I alternate. This means that I get to sleep the whole night every other night, like tonight I think I have an awesome man and I cannot be grateful enough for all he does

But yes here is hoping the night goes better than last. So far Dom is waking every 30 mins or so. I really want to know WHY?! My angelic little Sebastian has been sleeping since we put them to bed, except for when Dominic cried so loud round 8 that he woke and cried a bit too.

Hope your evening battles are going more smoothly and that the night will bring refreshment to you all!

Yes, but every other night with 2 babies is like us doing every night with 1 You do have an awesome man so yay for Mr Angel!!

^^ this!!
(sorry firefly, i'm using all your comments! )

 

[ellebelle]

Aww guys you are sweet But you must not give me too much credit! I only do the nightwatch every other night as OH and I alternate. This means that I get to sleep the whole night every other night, like tonight I think I have an awesome man and I cannot be grateful enough for all he does

But yes here is hoping the night goes better than last. So far Dom is waking every 30 mins or so. I really want to know WHY?! My angelic little Sebastian has been sleeping since we put them to bed, except for when Dominic cried so loud round 8 that he woke and cried a bit too.

Hope your evening battles are going more smoothly and that the night will bring refreshment to you all!

Angel, I forget if you've said before, (and while I read up on this thread regularly, I miss some things) but do your boys share a room?

 

[kosh]

Aww guys you are sweet But you must not give me too much credit! I only do the nightwatch every other night as OH and I alternate. This means that I get to sleep the whole night every other night, like tonight I think I have an awesome man and I cannot be grateful enough for all he does

But yes here is hoping the night goes better than last. So far Dom is waking every 30 mins or so. I really want to know WHY?! My angelic little Sebastian has been sleeping since we put them to bed, except for when Dominic cried so loud round 8 that he woke and cried a bit too.

Hope your evening battles are going more smoothly and that the night will bring refreshment to you all!

Angel, I forget if you've said before, (and while I read up on this thread regularly, I miss some things) but do your boys share a room?

how are things with your OH ellebelle?

 

[Boo44]

How did everyone do last night? I've come looking for my daily update but none yet! Hope all are having lie-ins....! X

 

[kosh]

How did everyone do last night? I've come looking for my daily update but none yet! Hope all are having lie-ins....! X

aw, thanks!
we didn't do very well but i blame teething and trapped wind!
he did 2x 2hr stretches at the beginning of the night but then woke every hour he couldn't self settle most of the times either...
the trapped wind is sooo annoying - he wakes up in pain and doesn't stop crying until he farts poor thing!