https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Mon, 11 May 2026 23:58:50 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sleep-problems-advice-desperately-needed#post-1795507 Sat, 02 Aug 2014 16:15:30 +0000 Orchid 1795507@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Emsmems: So glad for you!!!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sleep-problems-advice-desperately-needed#post-1795505 Sat, 02 Aug 2014 16:14:43 +0000 Orchid 1795505@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Seattlemom: thanks for responding. He does have reflux so he is medicated and sleeps inclined. Things are definitely getting better! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sleep-problems-advice-desperately-needed#post-1795502 Sat, 02 Aug 2014 16:06:56 +0000 Emsmems 1795502@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Leah: I'm so glad it has gotten better! And we did the same thing! No CIO for MOTN wake ups yet here either, just for putting him to bed, and it made things sooo much better! We were just talking about if we should do CIO for MOTN wake ups (they seemed to be increasing in frequency) and then DS only woke up once last night (he's 6 months old). So we are going to hold off! Hope things continue to get easier! Good luck mama! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sleep-problems-advice-desperately-needed#post-1795498 Sat, 02 Aug 2014 16:01:34 +0000 lady grey 1795498@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Sounds like your baby is completly normal! This is a tough age for fussiness and sleep. And so stressful on parents. But honestly your night sleep doesn't seem as bad as it could be. At this age I would encourage you to just do what works. Try not to do much around the house, let the chores go for a while.<br /> I think most CIO programs recommend you wait until 4-5 months. We did Sleep Easy Solution for CIO at 5 months and it worked very well. Your babe probably still needs a tight swaddle. We loved the Woobies because hands &amp; arms *never* got free. </p> <p>You could ask you pediatrician about reflux. Also your LO is at a peak age for being fussy- read more about it here<br /> <a href="http://purplecrying.info/what-is-the-period-of-purple-crying.php" rel="nofollow">http://purplecrying.info/what-is-the-period-of-purple-crying.php</a></p> <p>Edit: opps! just realized this was an older post. Hope things got easier for you guys! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sleep-problems-advice-desperately-needed#post-1795497 Sat, 02 Aug 2014 15:55:37 +0000 Orchid 1795497@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@DigAPony: thank you! I am devouring that book now. My husband finds my Pantley dance hysterical ... If only it would work! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sleep-problems-advice-desperately-needed#post-1795496 Sat, 02 Aug 2014 15:53:51 +0000 Orchid 1795496@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@CRGmama: hello there! Super late response but I wanted to pet you know that we tried CIO and it didn't work in the "three days will do the trick" way that everyone said. More like 2 weeks. I couldn't bring myself to do it for middle of the night, but maybe if I did it would have been quicker. I hope things are going better for you! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sleep-problems-advice-desperately-needed#post-1795494 Sat, 02 Aug 2014 15:51:07 +0000 Orchid 1795494@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@googly-eyes: Thank you for being so encouraging and for your suggestions! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sleep-problems-advice-desperately-needed#post-1795493 Sat, 02 Aug 2014 15:50:20 +0000 Orchid 1795493@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Emsmems: Thank you! Your response gives me a lot of hope. We eventually did some modified CIO only at bedtime (not MOTN) and hr is going to bed so nicely and sleeping decently without the swaddle. We had to rearrange his bedtime routine so nursing was not the last step. Now we just have to sort out MOTN and early wakeups. Thanks so much for your response! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sleep-problems-advice-desperately-needed#post-1706305 Tue, 17 Jun 2014 23:30:31 +0000 googly-eyes 1706305@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Just wanted to chime in and say it's normal and you are not to blame! </p> <p>The only advice I thought of off the top of my head is to use the swaddle for now. Some babies take longer to wean off of it. My lo used it for 4.5 months I think. We also used the halo sleep sack swaddles. I was worried she would outgrow the small size and there wouldn't be one to fit her, but one day, it seemed like she was ready, and we cold turkey dropped them pretty much. Your lo will come around too! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sleep-problems-advice-desperately-needed#post-1706301 Tue, 17 Jun 2014 23:21:59 +0000 CRGmama 1706301@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm going through the same exact thing, my son will be 16 weeks tomorrow and he's a frigging wreck. He's been a decent night sleeper up until this week when we decided it was time to move him from sleeping in the rock n play to his crib. It's really rough. I'm not totally opposed to CIO but it wouldn't work with him. He's been screaaaaaaming. It's heartbreaking and frustrating. I hope things get better for you! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sleep-problems-advice-desperately-needed#post-1706012 Tue, 17 Jun 2014 19:18:54 +0000 mrsbookworm 1706012@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It's not you! Don't blame yourself. My LO was the same way at that age. I started swaddling him with one arm out and then once he got used to that, I left the other arm out. </p> <p>The night wakeups seem pretty normal, but the naps are tough. I did nap training before night sleep training because that was my biggest issue. I just devoted a whole week to it. We were always home at nap time and I followed the same routine (minus bath) that I did at night. It took awhile, but he became a pretty consistent napper. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sleep-problems-advice-desperately-needed#post-1706007 Tue, 17 Jun 2014 19:16:50 +0000 Emsmems 1706007@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was just here, writing these types of posts a few weeks ago. I felt like things were never going to get better, but they have. DS is 5 months and we are turning a corner on sleep. Nights are on the whole much better, although we still have a bad one usually once a week. Naps are still 30 min usually, although sometimes we will randomly get a longer one. </p> <p>On swaddling: around that time we tried to swaddle wean too, and it was disastrous as well. However, maybe 2 weeks later he was rolling so we did it again, and it was ok. So try again in a little while!</p> <p>We started a consistent nap and night routine. That helped signal him it was time to sleep. We made sure to start paying closer attention to tired signs and start our routine at the first signs of tired. </p> <p>Then, we ended up doing cry it out. However, it was hardly CIO, he cried for 15 min max. I think having a consistent sleep routine first helped that, but I also think he was just developmentally ready for it. We were spending an hour trying to rock and nurse him to sleep while he screamed, so we figured we'd let him cry in the crib. I think we really lucked out on when we happened to try it though!</p> <p>What saved me until things got better was co-sleeping. I never thought I'd do it, but when DS thought 5 was time to get up or was up every hour all night and I'd had enough by 4am, I'd nurse him side-lying in my bed and we'd both get a few more hours of sleep. He'd also sleep longer for naps co-sleeping, so sometimes his first nap is take with him and we'd both get a good nap :)</p> <p>Good luck. No magical answers here, just know sometimes you can't do anything but get through it (which is sooooo frustrating for me!). You can do it! It will end!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sleep-problems-advice-desperately-needed#post-1705976 Tue, 17 Jun 2014 18:50:59 +0000 DigAPony 1705976@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Leah: sounds very normal to me! I recommend the halo sleepsack swaddle. I personally wouldn't swaddle wean until you have to (I waited until baby could roll from back to belly). I also recommend the no-cry nap solution for techniques on how to put your baby down without waking! It took a while and it's not perfect, but the techniques definitely helped me. That is our biggest problem too. I feel your pain! Good luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sleep-problems-advice-desperately-needed#post-1705962 Tue, 17 Jun 2014 18:44:04 +0000 Orchid 1705962@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Zbug - Thank you for being so encouraging! I really appreciate your reassurances!</p> <p>@MamaMoose - Thanks! That makes me so hopeful.</p> <p>@Smurfette - Thanks for your comment! I don't mind two feedings a night at all! Its the 30 minute naps after 30 minutes of soothing that are driving me crazy. Then my LO is tired after just an hour! I will try your suggestion for swaddle weaning.</p> <p>@Dagny - Thank you! </p> <p>@TRoberts1021 - Thank you! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sleep-problems-advice-desperately-needed#post-1703899 Mon, 16 Jun 2014 19:50:01 +0000 Tanjowen 1703899@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>The 4 month sleep regression just plain SUCKS. And hey, my LO slept in a swing or on me for the most part until about 3 months and he's a decent crib sleeper now (6 months). Do whatever works best for you for sure, and know that many of us have had/do have cruddy sleepers!</p> <p>I also tried to wean my LO off the sleep sack and it didn't work. I just wound up putting him in it until he busted out of it a few nights in a row, so he kind of self-weaned himself from it.</p> <p>The biggest thing that helped me was I let him "fuss" it out. I don't believe in CIO, but there is a big difference between tired fussing and screaming, and he will usually settle back down after fussing. I also tried to lay him down while he was sleepy, not fast asleep. It didn't always work, but I would pick him up and rock him back to a sleepy state and try again. Best of luck mama! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sleep-problems-advice-desperately-needed#post-1702766 Mon, 16 Jun 2014 11:55:05 +0000 Dagny 1702766@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>You did NOT create these 'problems'. Seriously, try to let go of any blame you are directing toward yourself. I was in the exact same situation as you. I really, really don't want to scare you because this may not be the case for your LO, but my little guy was incredibly difficult in the sleep department from the day he was born (only slept when held, naps for the first few months involved a TON of bouncing, etc.) and now at 14 months, he still sucks at sleeping. I don't say this to scare you at all, but to tell you it is almost all due to temperament. I can't tell you how many times I listened to a parent say 'I did this and this and now my child sleeps well'. I think a parent can encourage good sleep habits, but you simply can't force a child to sleep well. Just try to relax as much as you can and do the best you can. It sucks, but you'll get through it. If you need to vent, I'm here! Good luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sleep-problems-advice-desperately-needed#post-1702666 Mon, 16 Jun 2014 11:10:39 +0000 Smurfette 1702666@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Everything you said (minus the ball) is what we did for R. Almost 4 months, we sleep trained her. We did CIO cause I couldn't handle the 4+ wake ups a night anymore. The 4 month sleep regression is TOUGH!!!</p> <p>2 wake ups a night at that age is normal to me. If you want to drop one, then set a time in your head that you aren't going to feed before then. </p> <p>Have you tried the Halo swaddle sack? You can swaddle tight and then slowly loosen. Then put arms out, but can still swaddle on the chest so he gets the tightness feeling. Then slowly loosen that till it is just like sleeping in a sleep sack. That is how we sleep weaned R and she has no issues. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sleep-problems-advice-desperately-needed#post-1702655 Mon, 16 Jun 2014 11:08:18 +0000 MamaMoose 1702655@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>That age is a REALLY tough time for sleep. I have zero advice for you because I just sort of powered through and was miserable for a few weeks there. But it does get better, I promise!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sleep-problems-advice-desperately-needed#post-1702650 Mon, 16 Jun 2014 11:05:22 +0000 Zbug 1702650@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>So sorry that you are so tired!!! No advice re sleep training, but stop beating yourself up about this. What you are describing sounds perfectly normal!! You are doing a great job. Here is a link on normal baby sleep. If nothing else, hopefully it will make you feel better about his sleep troubles. Four months is ROUGH when it comes to sleep, but it will get better. Don't be so hard on yourself. </p> <p><a href="http://kellymom.com/parenting/nighttime/sleepstudies/" rel="nofollow">http://kellymom.com/parenting/nighttime/sleepstudies/</a></p> <p><a href="http://kellymom.com/parenting/nighttime/sleep/" rel="nofollow">http://kellymom.com/parenting/nighttime/sleep/</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sleep-problems-advice-desperately-needed#post-1702622 Mon, 16 Jun 2014 10:57:28 +0000 Orchid 1702622@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Hello Moms! I've been frequenting Hellobee for a few weeks now and have been so inspired by all the awesome mom bloggers and members!</p> <p>Please help me! I am having a lot of problems with getting my 15 week old baby to sleep. My sweet one will only take a nap after significant soothing - sometimes as much as thirty minutes bouncing on an exercise ball, singing, shushing, etc. Then he will only stay asleep if held. I know I have created these problems and I beat myself up about it everyday. His night sleep was awesome, but has recently taken a turn for the worse. He now sleeps (after being nursed down and sometimes bounced also on the ball) from about 6:30 to 12, then from 12:30 to about 4, then (if I'm lucky) from 4 to about 5:30.</p> <p>Our current arrangement is not optimal for anyone! Instead of using baby's waketimes to play with him, read to him or take him for walks, I have to put him down in his swing so I can work or manage household chores. Needless to say, I am so tired and worn down, I know I am far from being the best mom I can be.</p> <p>I would like to sleep train my baby but have a few questions/concerns. His arms still move quite a bit in sleep and wake him up often if he is not swaddled. I have tried to start weaning him off the swaddle with disastrous results. I bought the Merlin Magic Sleepsuit and it didn't work! I don't want to sleep train my baby if his arms will keep waking him up. He is working hard at sucking his fingers and favors his index finger and middle finger, but it doesn't seem to be able to sooth him to sleep. </p> <p>What should I do??</p> <p>Desperately tired mom<br /> Leah </p>