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Today, we're introducing Katelyn Thompson of Sweet Pea Sleep Solutions, a Certified Pediatric Sleep Consultant. She's passionate about helping other parents get the sleep they and their children need while being gentle and responsive and keeping the parent-child bond secure. She will be sharing periodically on the blog ways to encourage just that for you and your little one! We're kicking off with 5 foolproof ways to gain successful sleep... let's dig in! Check out Katelyn's website for further sleep resources and more about her story.
I have a 4 1/2 month old girl who has reflux and a milk protein allergy. I also was recently diagnosed with PP cardiomyopathy. So we have had to suddenly temporarily stop breastfeeding to let her gut rest. She sleeps better with the hypoallergenic formula. However, she naps about 30-45 min every 90 min during the day and only sleeps 3-4 hours tops at a time at night. I have to bounce her to sleep sitting on a stability ball. While that's been great for my weight loss (lol!), I'm exhausted. One pediatrician said she won't be developmentally ready until 6 months, another said she can sleep train now. There is so much confusing conflicting information out there!!! I don't know when to start but I'm afraid that her props (feed to sleep and the bouncing) are only going to have to continue or are going to be super hard to break. Any suggestions??? Please?!
Is this something that can be modified to work while co-sleeping?
Although I am not a cry it out advocate, my doctor did not recommend allowing my baby to cry it out before 4 months old. An 8 week old baby needs as much love and cuddles and help as you can give. Try to remember your baby is that, a baby.
Please never ever let your baby … infant 'cry out out'. There are 'gentle parenting' Facebook pages. Looking at the article I'd say this is for 18 months or over. Whilst consistency is important it's not always possible if baby poops and needs to be changed. I don't agree with not rocking or soothing baby to sleep actually. Do some research this is not a good article imo.
If my son falls asleep nursing that is a prop but then do I wake him up to put him in his crib. How do I stop him from falling asleep while nursing? What if he's not done eating? When I put him in the crib do I let him cry it out?? He's 8 weeks old.
My little one just turned 3 months and his sleep is worsening. At 4-8 weeks he would sleep for 1 long stretch at night of up to 6 hours. Since 9 weeks at least 5x/week he is up every 2-3 hours to nurse. The hardest part is he has severe reflux and the doctor told me to keep him upright/elevated for 30 minutes after he eats. So he ends up falling asleep during that time. What is gentle sleep training I can try for him?
Great tips! Excellent article. Thank you!
Thank you so much for this advice!! We are preparing for our first little one (to arrive in October), and I have been trying to soak in as much advice and info as I can!
Great tips! Now I just need to bite the bullet and implement some of them, especially the no props (pacifier)!
It's true! Easier said than done. Good luck!
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Rebecca
July 30, 2020
Hello. I have a two week old. For first week, we were on a consistent routine – she'd wake up and we changed diaper, breastfed until she fell asleep and then we'd put her back down. Then I read that feed-to-sleep is discouraged. Plus, no opportunity for Timmy time or other interaction. We've been trying now to feed first, then change diaper, have some awake time, then go down. Only problem is that she fights going down, often demanding more breast (for a quick feed that lulls her to sleep). I try not to let her stay awake long, but by the time she's been fed and her diaper changed, it's already almost time to go down and she's usually not ready/sleepy. I'm not sure what to do to make this transition easier and I feel like I get conflicting advice anytime I search for answers. Please help. Also, I swaddle her when putting her down but not usually while feeding. This makes it hard to seamlessly respond to her if she wakes up and wants to be fed. Instead I have to take her out, feed, then wrap her up again and repeat over and over. Is that ok? Any advice is appreciated!