Anybody else try sleep training their kids?

[zacattack]

We just started and I feel like some sort of sadistic asshole to just sit here and listen to my son cry. Does this work? Man parenting is hard.

 

[tam9492]

Worked like a charm. We took care of it in September. First night was 20-30 mins and got progressively less each night after. By the end of the first week, he was down without a peep. Consistency in routine is keep. Same bedtime schedule each night. He was 11 months when we did it, and now he reaches for the crib some nights. Naps have also significantly improved.

 

[204guy]

It does work. Harder on you than them forsure. Stay strong its worth it.

 

[Sevens]

Wife just started with it for our 5 month old daughter. In just a week we have gone from rocking her fully to sleep and then trying to place her in her bed without her waking (honestly felt an active bomb is less sensative) to putting a slightly sleepy baby in her bed and she puts her self to sleep.

We used to be up ever two hours at night. She now wakes up once for some food around 3am, then sleeps until 6 or 7.

absolute bliss!

 

[Bojo34]

We just started and I feel like some sort of sadistic asshole to just sit here and listen to my son cry. Does this work? Man parenting is hard.

Yes, it does! My wife and I were early adopters of the "Furber Method" and, like you, we were loaded with guilt initially but once they catch on to the routine you will be doing them (and you) a favor in the long run! My four children are all grown adults now and extremely well adjusted. Hang in there!

 

[tam9492]

Don’t start too early though. It takes a few months for them to be fully developed enough to self-sooth.

 

[Pezboat]

Stay strong man. Once you start, you can’t go back. They learn that you will break before they do. But your body will thank you once you start getting sleep at night again. I have a few friends who didn’t sleep train. They still struggle with sleep and their kid is 5.

 

[zacattack]

Don’t start too early though. It takes a few months for them to be fully developed enough to self-sooth.

He’s 9 months old. Last night was easy. This afternoon nap is going on one hour of crying. Going in to comfort him is kinda awful.
Glad I’m not the only one struggling with this.

 

[Eltigreblanco]

Hang in there. My kids are 2 and 4 and my wife got them on a great schedule really early on. Consistency is the key.

 

[MattB]

Yup, same routine, scented lotion, and bedtime music every night. Was hard to start but well worth it.

 

[MattB]

He’s 9 months old. Last night was easy. This afternoon nap is going on one hour of crying. Going in to comfort him is kinda awful.
Glad I’m not the only one struggling with this.

We started at a few months I think, 9 months seems late to me.

 

[Eltigreblanco]

Also what works great for us now is lighted clocks that lets them know when its time to get up or go back to bed. Its a face thats either smiling or asleep. We don't have them coming in during the middle of the night asking if its morning yet anymore

 

[Curtass]

We basically did that same thing with out Son years ago. (He is 11yo now) Worked great! We also go in the habit of once he was old enough to talk, we would tell him, he was not allowed to get out of bed, until we came and got him, he listened very well, some mornings we thought maybe he "slept-in" (we are all early risers) cause we could not hear him making any noise, we would walk in and find him reading in bed! Then he would be so happy to see us he would ask if it was time to get up yet! Some mornings, he was not ready to get out of bed yet and he would ask if he could sit in bed for a little bit longer and read!

I think it really helps if you are consistent on bed time every night. Same time, same routine. There was even a few times where he had a long day, and he would ask if he could go to bed early.
But, a lot of friends and family say we don't have a "normal" Son and that we lucked out because he is such a good kid.

Good Luck in raising them right! They are so much fun.

 

[3forks]

First, I’ll say that I never thought in a million years I’d be on Rokslide telling someone to get some contraption to help their kid sleep. But, since this is a product oriented site - I guess it’s ok. I highly advise anyone to look into a Snoo.

Happiest Baby | SNOO Smart Sleeper and Baby Sleep Solutions

Happiest Baby | Meet SNOO, the smartest – and safest – baby bed ever made.

www.happiestbaby.com

My wife had a bunch of people recommended a Snoo, so we got one right off the bat. Our kid would sleep 12 ours straight with no trouble. Also, naps were a breeze.

You’ll gag at the price of these things, but your ability to sleep through the night is worth it. Also, these things hold their value as well as Swarovski optics, and we sold ours for not much less than we paid for it.

 

[j33]

Keep going may take a couple times until they’re trained. Oldest one took twice while youngest was way more.

Yeah over an hour of crying isn’t unusual, ear plugs are your friend. Don’t give in, you will thank yourself later.

 

[Ridge Ghost]

Sleep training is so hard, but absolutely necessary. You will go through hell for a couple of nights until he catches on, but once he does you'll wonder why you didn't do it sooner. You will be better parents to him, and better spouses to each other, once you start getting the sleep you need. Good luck to you

 

[Ridge Ghost]

Also what works great for us now is lighted clocks that lets them know when its time to get up or go back to bed. Its a face thats either smiling or asleep. We don't have them coming in during the middle of the night asking if its morning yet anymore

The "ok to wake" clock was key once out kids were old enough to get out of bed on their own. Great suggestion.

 

[brsnow]

It is important, this structure lasts. My wife was great, kept a set structure and didn’t let them in our bed . Now at 7 and 4 they still go to bed without fuss at 7 & 8 pm, up at 630. I have friends who let them in their bed and that turns into a battle. It is hard so good for everyone involved. My wife was the strong one

 

[Braaap]

Works great, stick with it. Light alarm clock for wake up time is helpful as well.

 

[nodakian]

I generally avoid offering parent advice except this: get the book "On Being Baby Wise" and follow it. Among our friends we noticed the happy ones did it, the unhappy ones didn't. Our kids slept through the night by 10-12 weeks. You're a little late but the physical and psychological principles should still be helpful. (Take the theological stuff however you want.)

Around 9 months they very often have the "witching hour " in the evenings. It's normal. Uncontrollable and inconsolable bawling, sometimes screaming, for an hour or more. Fed, dry, burped, all systems good to go. Parents everywhere at wits end. You're not alone. I went to my shop, put on ear muffs, and built something. I'd check in once in a while, but NOTHING could stop the fit. My wife was often gone in the evenings so luckily missed some of it. It all stopped after a couple months.