Sleep Question

You're doing the right thing. I have three boys and they each pacified themselves in their own ways. My middle guy (now 4) never used anything to pacify himself and he is my most independent, self assured little boy. My oldest a pacifier user, my baby a thumbsucker- also a belly sleeper. They all three "sleep trained" and had to "cry it out" to figure out how to self calm. It was TERRIBLE everytime-even with my last- but I have three amazing sleepers who love their beds and their quiet time. I really believe that you have to teach kids how to sleep- just like everything else (unless of course you have a good sleeper like your oldest). I also think a good sleeper- translates to their awake time. Hang in there sister- you're doing the right thing. Your baby girl will figure out what makes her happy.

Hi A.,
They sure keep us on our toes, don't they? My first son was fairly predictible: pacifier, good sleeper. My 2nd son, never took a paci and was very hot and cold with sleeping.

The thing that worked well with my younger son, was to use a "lovey" of some sort. A small little blanket that was really soft. We mostly used it because I was nursing him and he was refusing to take a bottle so we used it when my husband or my mom would feed him. We also had issues with his sleeping (I won't go into it, but it involved naps in a swing and then he didn't want to sleep anywhere else).

Anyhoo . . .we used the lovey and it had my scent on it (I slept with it for a few days) and it just worked. It scared me because he loved to sleep with it over his face. I would go in there and take it off and within 30 seconds it was back over his head. We just let him do it.

The lovey we use is a Taggie (http://www.taggies.com/cgi-bin/estore/show_entry?index=29), but I know that they sell soft little lovey type blankets all over.

To this day, it something soothing for him.

I hope you find something that works.
B. :-)

I used soft music with my kids. It worked great!! I also had one that wouldnt sleep unless she was wrapped up at all times, oh and she loved the vaccum cleaner, i hated it. The soft music did work great, hope it helps you.

We used the flutterby projector that attaches to the crib and projects on the ceiling. It always calmed my children at bed time and they did a lot less crying.

Hi A.,

I completely understand where you're at. Both of my children were very tough as newborns with the sleeping situation. They both slept on me for 3 months and wouldn't sleep anywhere else, this was the only way I could get rest - if you can 8 to 15 lbs on your belly rest ;)
I started training them both at 6 months, my daughter "got it" at 8, just learned to self-soothe. I think the fact she could pick up her paci and put it in her mouth helped greatly. Also, she could flip back and forth belly to tummy and vice-versa by then.

My son is 6 months and can now self soothe, it has taken 2 weeks of CIO. The first times it could go for 2 hrs. If his paci falls off, I do have to go in and give it to him or he will not sleep. Although sometimes he does.
I would suggest just staying consistent with laying her down and letting her cry. It depends IMO how early you can do it.
When I told my Dr that I was training him at his 6 month appt she sd I should have started at 4. Maybe it would have been easier, I doubt it, but I told her I was doing it at my pace. I don't like letting my kids cry before 6 months, that's just me.
The Dr can recommend but ultimately we made the decision.

It is beggining to get better.
I have a huge proble, my daughter is 18 months, she doesn't get the shhhhhhhhhhhhh concept and wakes him up quite often so it has been a real challenge but they'll have to adjust or we'll become zombies - officially ;)
They are both sleeping through the night perfectly thoug, he sleeps 8 or 830pm to 630 to 730 am :) Can't beat that