Sleep training

[nlazarus]

We've started sleep-training Elizabeth, today. We've had a few weeks of her resisting going down for both naps and bed, so it's clearly time to make a set schedule, and ruthlessly stick by it

Comments

[catalyst75]

No doubt about it. It freakin sucks. But you know she can do it, and very shortly, she will know it too. Hang in there and here's some reading to pass the time: http://www.blogger.com/posts.g?blogID=4847296404725244881&searchType=ALL&txtKeywords=&label=sleep+training

[fruitkakechevy]

Here's what I think, take it or leave it. I've read a bunch of books, talked to a bunch of moms, and this is what I've come up with

[catalyst75]

Hi, we don't know each other but I wanted to comment on your comment. I'm mom to a one-year-old girl and we did sleep training last November (with help from sleepsense.net) and it was a great success. I appreciate that there are as many "right" ways to parent as there are parents, but I wanted to respond to your question about Why Right Now? For us, sleep training at 7 months was the right choice because I really wanted to address the sleep issue before Gwen could (a) stand up in her crib and (b) cry "Mommy" as part of her protest crying. I knew I could not withstand that! Many moms I know made the same decision

[nlazarus]

We decided to start sleep training because Elizabeth was showing signs of exhaustion (rubbing her eyes, yawning, slumping over, even bags under her eyes), but refusing to go to sleep. We gave her warm bottles of formula, held her and walked, put her in her swing, but she would get drowsy, close her eyes and then open them again and start kicking. She was actively fighting sleep when it was clear she desperately needed it. On top of that, she was more and more cranky, more and more of the time, so it was clear she wasn't getting enough sleep.

We decided to follow the dominant advice (you aren't the first person to mention the attachment thing, fruitcakechevy, but you are in the minority) and give her a more consistent schedule, putting her down for a nap and bed at the same time every day. She screamed for 75-90 minutes yesterday, each time. She woke up both times happy and cheerful, affectionate and _rested_

[fruitkakechevy]

I rewrote my response about a dozen times.. Sleep (and sleep-training) is one of the mommy-war things that is difficult to talk about while showing the other party that you DO respect their position, and that they are certainly the expert when it comes to their child. I feel very strongly about my position, so I don't want to sound wishy-washy and conciliatory, but I also want the other party to actually listen to what I have to say. I hope I got that across without sounding terribly strident :P

It sounds like you're doing what works for you. I wanted to make sure you were also keeping the long view in mind, and knew about the new research in to brain development. Our culture does some crazy things (fast-food, perms, ex-President Bush, and cattle feedlots come to mind), and just because something works in the short term doesn't mean that it's a good idea. But you know your baby, and you're right: enough sleep is absolutely critical :)