I got a nice note from Emily over at Purely Diligent, who wrote about great success with sleep training her baby:
To our great surprise, with this routine, L has not cried once. Zip. Zero. Not a drop. We do not know if her phase simply ended or if the magic formula was found. Either way, we are thankful and pleased. With this new routine, L is now sleeping 11 hours at night versus 8. Her napping has also greatly improved going from maybe 1 1/2 hours to 3 1/2 a day. L’s sleeping cues have also become clearer. During those couple minutes of rocking, she will make a certain humming noise when she wants to be put into her crib. A bonus in this ordeal! We are expecting the next child to give us more grief than this. L made it too easy.
Sleep training is an aspect of parenting most do not look forward to. I imagine it is on the list between teething and potty training. No matter what your child’s situation is, DO NOT GIVE UP! Slowly, but surely you will find the magic formula that works perfectly for all parties to get a wonderful night’s sleep.
This highlights a couple of important points:
- Sleep training does not have to involve a ton of crying if you make some changes to the bedtime routine.
- It is often scarier in theory than in practice.
I must admit that I had read articles, from everyone from psychologists to mothers, about the dangers of CIO and had decided that I was just doomed to suffer, because this is what being a mother was about. However, I stumbled on your website one night (I don’t know how in my sleep deprived state), and you have changed my life.
My daughter refused to be put down from the moment that she was born. I had convinced myself that she needed the ‘fourth trimester’ and held her all day, every day, even though I was going quite mad. I could not socialise with friends. Could not eat with two hands. Had to go to sleep whenever she slept. Got no work done. In short, I had no life. Then I read your articles on how to sleep train, why I wasn’t selfish for wanting to be able to put my child to be and then go and sit in the living room and read a book for a few hours without a baby in my arms. I know that you recommend sleep training at six months, but I felt like I had no choice but to start at five months.
The first night was torture (one hour of desperate screaming). The next six days were erratic. Sometimes she’s fuss for a few minutes and then go to sleep. Two nights ago she screamed as if being stabbed repeatedly and vomited what appeared to be all that she had eaten that day. However, today was different. I put her in her crib and closed the door, and she rolled/scooted around, playing and laughing, until there was silence. This happened all day.
I just wanted to thank you. Even if we face hiccups later, I know that this was the right choice. I am a new, energetic and refreshed person. She wakes up smiling and ready to play. THANK YOU!
Wow, thanks. That is very kind. I am very happy for you!