In Need of SLEEP

I am also not a fan of Babywise AT ALL! Try not picking him up when he awakes, but try patting him gently and giving him his pacifier or lovey. I would also try a white noise machine in his room. Both of my kids have one and they really do help.

When we had this problem, our pediatrician suggested that we let her cry it out. We would let her cry for 20 minutes, and then go in to check on her, pat her to let her know that we were still there, and then leave. We wouldn't say anything, just smile (if you can), and try again. She only did that for a few nights and then she fell asleep on her own. It's harder - much harder - for us to listen to her cry. It sounds hard, but it really helps when they learn to go to sleep on their own. She's been sleeping soundly ever since - for 6 years!!

The pediatrician suggested that I go take a shower while my husband did the checking and patting for a few nights... it helps!! And turn down the monitor!! Good luck! She was my first, and I am the mother of 3! ALL great sleepers!!

I know it's hard..but tough love. He's figured out that he can get your attention by waking up. Once he realizes that you are still there but aren't going to pick him up, you'll get some rest. Good luck!

I was not a fan of BabyWise, either. So, I made it my own. I had twins & until they were 9 months old, we were up every 3-4 hrs with them & they did not want to sleep in their cribs. We took BabyWise & pulled it apart. We let them almost fall asleep on us & then would gently put them into bed patting their back/butt until they fell asleep. Eventually they did not want us to hold them at all & they grabbed their small teddy bears & fell asleep. it is SO hard as a parent to not comfort your child when they wake up crying, but it is really best for him to calm himself down. And if he cries more than normal, then step in & comfort-putting him back just when he calms down. BabyWise was cruel & unusual at times, but it was the best thing for us. Our littles ones sleep 12+ hrs & have since 9 mos. Good luck!

What both the mommy's said are good suggestions. We heated his bed with a heating pad and then took it out before putting him down. That way he was going from a warm body to a warm bed. My son also has classical music going in his room all the time, it also helps if there is an unexpected noise. When our son would wake up we jiggled him on the bum instead of picking him up, I would tell him it's ok and sing to him. I know you don't like the babywise method, but maybe wait 5 minutes before going in. Our son will fuss for a minute and then go back to sleep, and if we went in to early it would make matters worse. Hope this helps.

K.

i have 2 daughters, they both started that pattern of waking up every 20 to 40 minutes. I found that if i fixed them a snack (nothing sugary) about an hour before bedtime, gave them a small bottle of water right before bedtime, they were content and started to sleep through the night. I hope this helps!

s

When ours were that age, I would rock and sing to them while they were still awake. We also had a lullaby tape that we would start while giving a bottle. Then I would lay them in the crib still touching their arm or patting their butt. After they seem calm, but not asleep or maybe asleep I leave the room. The lulllaby tape would continue to play until it turned itself off. Kyra would be asleep before the tape turned off. If they start to cry, just wait to see what kind of cry it is. Most of the time they won't cry for more than 20 minutes. I know this is hard, but they do learn how to go back to sleep on their own. And at age four, Kyra has suffered no negative consequences. You can finally get some sleep of your own this way.

B. H.

Giving him his favorite stuffed animal or small pillow to hug while he sleeps. What also worked for me was a heating pad under the mattress with it on low.