tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-513016596340462295.post647797310716313360..comments2023-09-23T09:05:18.758-07:00Comments on Our Place: Hard Day's NightEricahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09800646159604569717noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-513016596340462295.post-11577555930873971322008-08-06T21:00:00.000-07:002008-08-06T21:00:00.000-07:00P.S. Ask Eric about the signing - he saw it first ...P.S. Ask Eric about the signing - he saw it first hand with Ben. It definitely saved us.katehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14734213236169892442noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-513016596340462295.post-31508092346287934042008-08-06T20:55:00.000-07:002008-08-06T20:55:00.000-07:00It sounds like the way you handled things today wa...It sounds like the way you handled things today was right on track. With all of our boys we followed the Ferber Method ("Solve your child's sleep problems" by Richard Ferber) - which is exactly what you are doing. The only thing I would suggest is that everytime you put him down = make it the same. Change his diaper, then sit in your rocker and read him the same book everytime (I love "goodnight moon") before you lay him down for naps or bedtime. Lay him down in his crib and walk out of the room. If he cries - give him a few minutes, go back in and pat him, tell him "shhh... it's ok. night, night now," or something to that affect. Leave the room and wait. Each time after the first time that he cries - go back in, pat him but don't talk. The Ferber method is great and works like a charm. I swear by it. You have to be consistent with the schedule though. At night - give him a warm bath, bottle, change diaper, read book, put to bed. Everynight the same. We talked about this - babies thrive on schedules. Give him and yourself 3 days. By the 3rd day, I promise if you are consistent you will see change. You may be going in every 3 minutes, and sitting in a chair outside his door (b/c it's easier) - but it's one of those things where for those 3 days, don't make committments, don't have a to-do-list. If you have no plans - and your plans are all about him - it's easier to deal with the crying - even w/no sleep. <BR/><BR/>We did this w/Ben & Will and it was great. Something always happened that the boys schedules and nightime routines got messed up and we needed to get them back on track. The first day/night was always the worst. They would cry for like an hour and a half; the second night 45 minutes; the third 10 minutes and then the 4th - it was done. You may want to start this on Friday or Saturday so Eric is there to help you. It's better if you have backup : )<BR/><BR/>When letting him 'cry it out' you have to gage his cries. You are his mom, so you can tell the difference in his cries. Like I told you earlier - Andy cries alot more than Ben & Will did. But I also listen for his cries. I can tell when it's "i'm tired but I'm trying to manipulate you," and "I'm having a nightmare, I'm scared, something hurts or is wrong with me, come and get me." Once you figure that out - it makes it so much easier.<BR/><BR/>I have the book - I'll see if I can get it over there to you tomorrow or Friday.<BR/><BR/>In the meantime, I found this article about the Ferber method:<BR/>http://www.babycenter.com/0_the-ferber-method-demystified_7755.bc?articleId=7755&page=1.<BR/><BR/>You are doing great. Be assured that all mom's struggle with what you do. I recommend teaching him sign language at 8 months old. We taught all 3 of our boys and it took the guesswork out of what was wrong. They were completely communicating by sign at a year old. Telling us if their tummy hurt, they were hungry, tired, needed a diaper change, wanted to go outside to play, etc. I have a kit that we used - I'll loan that to you as well. Signing with babies is great and definitely a must for first time parents. It helps your sanity.<BR/><BR/>Hang in there. I'm here if you have any questions or need an ear.<BR/><BR/>Love you,<BR/>Katekatehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14734213236169892442noreply@blogger.com