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Saturday, May 30, 2009

Sleep Training: Step 1

I've been dreading this. Sleep training...it sounds so institutional, but it's the best way to describe it. I've been looking into the different approaches and Ferber is looking to be the best (as in most efficient.) So today Audrey and I went to Borders and picked up Dr. Ferber's book. Right now she sleeps in her Boppy bouncer on the floor next to our bed where it's quite convenient. When she stirs at night all I have to do is a) replace her paci b) restart the vibration or c) que the nature/heartbeat sounds. Sure it's a terrible habit, but it's helped me to realize that she can in fact sleep through the night and she does not need to eat every two hours.

We'll be starting mid-June when I'm out of school. I just don't know if we should put her in the crib and start Ferberizing that night or let her get used to her crib again for a few nights before starting the Ferber method. I'll take any suggestions!

Step 1 of Operation Sleep Training is complete- we've picked a method and have committed. It's going to take the next 3 weeks to get used to the idea of letting sweet Audrey Cate learn to soothe herself to sleep. I mean, look at this face!!

7 comments:

Ringmaster said...

to each their own, I used no methods and let Hailey let me know when she was ready to make it through the night -- good luck to you --

caroline said...

We started with Jacob later but we also used Ferber after much protest from me : ) Jacob was sleeping with me so we started the sleep training AND putting him in the crib the same night. We actually went through it twice because the first training sort of "wore off" when he got sick somehow got back into bed with me :) Good luck...it's stressful but will go much better than you are imagining. I imagined sitting up all night listening to Jacob cry and he was asleep in 20 min. I could go on and on. If you need any advice let me know!

malavoy said...

Hey - this is Becca's friend. My little one was born 12/16 and I'm a teacher too! I'm with you - my little guys sleeps in my bed. As one of my good teacher friends said "it's survival mode until summer then you have all summer to break the bad habits." Good luck and please let me know. I'm not one for "cry it out" so my guy, Woody, starts in the crib every night but by 2am I'm so exhausted he's in my bed. He deff. wakes up just to be comforted - not to eat! Please let me know how it goes! Also, are you formula only? I'm trying to figure out how to get on a more regular schedule this summer....

Jenn said...

Good luck with the sleep methods. I dont really have much advice just yet. She was doing really well and sleeping through the night consistently. Now, she wakes up at 3:30 and 5:30 and I dont know what is going on. PLUS, I have to feed her and she has been sleeping through the night basically since she was 6-8 weeks old, so I am all confused!

Leanne said...

I actually just began this process, too. Lucas does sleep in his crib, but we have been swaddling him and are trying to break him of the swaddle. I found a lot of what Ferber has to say very enlightening. He doesn't advocate CIO, he just advocates teaching your LO how to fall asleep on her own and fall back to sleep on her own.

We've been doing it for almost two weeks now. Lucas goes to sleep with only five to ten minutes of crying. He has only woken up twice through the night- and no swaddle!! Yay! He isn't totally consistent, yet. For example, he slept yesterday morning until almost 8:00, but he was up this morning at 5:00. And we have a long way to go on the daytime napping, but nights have improved dramatically!!

I'd be happy to chat with you more if you'd like! Good luck!

Beverley said...

I'm going to start some sort of sleep training when Lucy hits 6 months (in 1 month) and I am dreading it. I do hate to hear her cry :(

kace said...

I am curious to see what works for you. My little boy is 6 months and still wakes every few hours. He was sleeping all night in the bouncy seat as well, until we transitioned him into the crib. Now I sleep in his floor... ha We are planning to start Ferber as soon as summer break starts!