Yes, my problems with my son's sleep habits are well documented on here, and it wasn't until we let him sleep it out that he became a good sleeper. We're now done bed routine at 730, when before we'd be taking turns soothing til 10. THat was no life

Agree with everything said, particularly about the routine.

I now will prep my daughter 10 or so minutes before nap/bed by saying the word sleep a few times. She almost immediately starts rubbing her eyes and yawning. The only thing I did to set that up is to tell her it's time to go to sleep while putting her down for her naps. I'd say sleep or nap a few times and now they're strongly associated with going to sleep. It's awesome.

ring a bell and i will salivate, howd you like that

That's a weird thing to say.

I suppose I should point out (since you don't seem to realize it) that the things Grote listed are also cues for helping the baby sleep. But an auditory cue is forbidden in Calvinball's parenting handbook?

it is just a line from a barenaked ladies song.

you got a lot from it though.

I've sleep-trained three kids using Sleeping Through the Night by Jodi Mindell. That link is for the newer edition, we had the 1997 edition.

Couple tips: Sleep begets sleep - when we trouble with our middle, it was because he wasn't getting enough sleep during the day. Jiggling naptimes and making bedtime earlier ALWAYS helped.

We tried to set aside a week to two when activities wouldn't interrupt the night time routine and bedtime.

The other stuff mentioned about the routine is spot on. Each of my kids had/has a different routine, you can let them lead to some extent (my youngest picks a different book every night, for instance, where the other two had the same stories).

Did any others use sleep sacks? I'm wondering if that might be the key variable for us. A great cue that it's bed time and sort of a permanent blankie/comfort. My eldest wore his until three and a half

We tried it, but he didn't like it. he didn't like anything

can you give them melatonin?

give them melatonin and they will hibernate, how'd you like that

MrsVox wrote:I've sleep-trained three kids using Sleeping Through the Night by Jodi Mindell. That link is for the newer edition, we had the 1997 edition.

We tried that but the kid can't read.

On the other hand, every time I read it, I fell asleep.

win-win-win

Thanks, folks, appreciate your thoughts. Definitely interested in more info, Grote, if you're willing to share. Thanks

PhillieMooDo wrote:Thanks, folks, appreciate your thoughts. Definitely interested in more info, Grote, if you're willing to share. Thanks

Will put here in case it would help anyone else.

The biggest thing for us, again, is routine. Same time every night, sleep sack on, one book read, one song, good night.

I don't remember the exact protocol we followed, but basically put the baby down after that and say "It's time to sleep" or whatever and walk out. Then wait five minutes; if they're crying, go back in, pick up for one second, reassure "it's time to sleep," walk back out. Repeat that process until they're asleep.

The next night, bump intervals up to like eight minutes. Then 10. On average our kids (five or six months old at the time) were asleep within 15 minutes by the third night.

Another factor I forgot to mention is a white noise machine. We swear by it, not only so you don't have to tiptoe around the house, but it gives them another sleep cue and focal point.

Blackout curtains or blinds are great, too, especially for naps and summer nights.

Grotewold wrote:

PhillieMooDo wrote:Thanks, folks, appreciate your thoughts. Definitely interested in more info, Grote, if you're willing to share. Thanks

Will put here in case it would help anyone else.

The biggest thing for us, again, is routine. Same time every night, sleep sack on, one book read, one song, good night.

I don't remember the exact protocol we followed, but basically put the baby down after that and say "It's time to sleep" or whatever and walk out. Then wait five minutes; if they're crying, go back in, pick up for one second, reassure "it's time to sleep," walk back out. Repeat that process until they're asleep.

The next night, bump intervals up to like eight minutes. Then 10. On average our kids (five or six months old at the time) were asleep within 15 minutes by the third night.

Another factor I forgot to mention is a white noise machine. We swear by it, not only so you don't have to tiptoe around the house, but it gives them another sleep cue and focal point.

Blackout curtains or blinds are great, too, especially for naps and summer nights.

Love the white noise machine... it was a real game changer... he's 2 now but is in the 99th percentile for height and 97th for weight and has been super athletic from the beginning and was easily scaling his crib a long time ago so we got one of the canopy things for his crib... that changed our lives... we were in there for 2 plus hours every night keeping him in the crib before that...

handcuffs and Benadryl

The Crimson Cyclone wrote:handcuffs and Benadryl

take it to the Friday thread

White noise is good, also. We got a Sleep Sheep as a gift and it was pretty great.

https://www.cloudb.com/us/sleep-sheep

Although you can certainly find it cheaper than in the above link.

we use a fan for white noise. It also helps circulate the air because sometimes it gets a little stinky in there with the diaper bin. And when it's hot, we turn it towards the crib to help keep her cool. I'm trying to get the fan to make pancakes on Sunday morning. It does everything else.

i don't get the diaper bin. they're disgusting