Courtneytcu98

NortheastWifey · #1 November 10th, 2009, 10:38 AM

Hi Courtney! What was the sleeping book you've recommended? I can't remember the title, but I want to check it out. Thanks, girlie!

KCMomma · #2 November 10th, 2009, 11:02 AM

It's Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Baby or something like that. I'll be honest though, I've read the book and didn't find any thing to help us...not sure if I'm not reading it right or what the heck happened but basically I got out of it..."A happy baby needs sleep" well, no crap!!!

I just can't GET her to sleep sometimes...what then???? Anyway, that's my

Lauren S · #3 November 10th, 2009, 12:43 PM

I just bought "The No Cry Sleep Solution" which my sister recommended. I'll let you know if it's any good if you're interested.

KCMomma · #4 November 10th, 2009, 01:00 PM

Yes, Lauren please let us know if you like that at all.

lttle_one · #5 November 10th, 2009, 01:17 PM

I'm a big fan of No Cry Sleep Solution.

~Andrea~ · #6 November 10th, 2009, 01:19 PM

I like the No Cry Sleep Solution, but I ended up finding our own solution. It might not work for long, but it works for now!

KCMomma · #7 November 10th, 2009, 04:09 PM

Andrea...do share what worked for you!! I love to hear what has worked for other mommies!!!

courtneytcu98 · #8 November 10th, 2009, 06:39 PM

Gwen, you crack me up! The name of the book is, "Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child." I agree that it doesn't necessarily give a solid solution, but it educates about different sleep patterns at different ages and the bio-mechanics of sleep. The author does give quite a few suggestions, with the spectrum ranging from calm/console and crying it out.

For us, we ended up using CIO for a few nights out of desperation. It was our last choice and had we not both been working full-time, I don't know that we would have gone there. It was consistently taking us 2 hours a night to get Elliott all the way to a deep sleep and we were all three miserable. None of us well-rested and definitely cranky! The author recommended crying for no longer for 1 hour. Chris and I were firmly together in our decision and the first night was terrible. Elliott cried for 58 minutes. Just as I was getting up to go check on him, it was quiet. The second night was 11 minutes. The third night was 8 minutes.

Since that point, Elliott lays down and goes to sleep for 12 hours. I didn't think I would ever be a person to use CIO and I understand why people choose not to use it. For us, sleep was the hardest thing we have tacked to date as parents. Those of you that are struggling, know that you are doing the best you can with what you know. It does get better with time.

Lo_and_Behold · #9 November 11th, 2009, 12:27 PM

I have the No Cry Sleep Solution as well. I didn't finish it though. It asks you to keep a log of every time your baby awakens (hard enough for me to get up to make a bottle let alone write down what time she woke up, how long she was up, & what time she went back to sleep... 3-4 times a night!

)

Courtney, thank you for sharing that about CIO. DH & I have always been firmly against it as well but we both work f/t as well...and dh works a p/t overnight job as well so we are sleep DEPRIVED in every sense of the word. We're going on 8 months of no sleep. We wanted to use CIO as a last LAST resort but we've been holding off until we move as she's still in our room right now. When we move, she'll be going into her own room so it'll be easier. Right now it's just easier to bring her into our bed or whatever works than us shuffling out to the living room to wait it out while she cries. I'd read that when you let them CIO, you should go in there every few mins to rub their back or comfort them but not to pick them up. You increase the time between going in & decrease the amount of time you spend in there. I can't say I really want to do this nor am I 100% confident it'll work but just like you & Chris, we are DESPERATE.

courtneytcu98 · #10 November 11th, 2009, 12:42 PM

Melissa, we did not go in and 'check & console,' that had been our approach for months and left us standing over his crib patting his back for hours. It was truly him crying. Ugh. That is not an experience I want to relive, but it was so necessary for us to remain sane, and he now sleeps without issue.