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Sleep training, night one

Before beginning sleep training, I spent a good part of the week catching Jemma up on her sleep. I did anything in my power to make sure she got two solid naps during the day, plus tried to get her in bed at a decent hour at night. I even went so far as to sit by her on the couch while she took her afternoon naps, just so I could lull her back to sleep if needed.


Crying jags are a part of Ferber's Method.
By Friday, I was ready to try sleep training. We rocked Jemma to sleep for her bedtime, but I started the Ferber Method during the night...read on.


1:55 a.m.--Jemma starts crying in her bed. Bleary-eyed from about 3 hours of sleep, I wake up, frustrated and tired as all get out! I fight the urge to grab her, go to the couch and return to sleep. I let her cry for the prescribed 3 minute interval.


1:58 a.m.--Thankful the 3 minutes were over, I went in to her bedroom, laid her back down, put her pacifier in, soothed her for a minute and returned to my covers. A very agitated Jemma screamed at my departure.


2:05 a.m.--After waiting the next 5 minutes, I returned, did the same method of soothing and left. Again, Jemma immediately stands up, screaming as I go. At this point, I'm not sure I can do it...


2:14 a.m.--She's still crying after 7 minutes. I go in. Soothe. Go back to bed. Take note of the clock, now I'm waiting for the long stretch of 10 minutes.


2:26 a.m.--She started to quiet during the first 10-minute period. I think she might be settling down for good. No such luck. She revved up again. With a glimmer of hope that this just might work, I go back in and soothe her once again. I take note of the clock and begin the second 10-minute interval.


2:38 a.m.--She's still going, but not as intense as before. I end up going back in after the 10-minutes are up. At that point, she was actually not standing...an improvement! Within the third 10-minutes, she actually fell back asleep. I, of course, couldn't believe it, and stayed awake at least 15 more minutes just to make sure.


The first round of Ferber's CIO lasted about 40 minutes with a lot of intense crying. Notice I allowed Ferber's maximum time of 2 minutes per soothing period. Also, I had mentally given myself 45 minutes for it to work. So happy the first night is over!


You might also like: Sleep Training, Intro.

Comments

  1. You can do this! It's hard to get through but once you are on the other side...it's worth it! Stick with it!

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  2. Do you have to not pick her up? I can't remember if that is part of the Ferber method. That would be so hard. It feels like decades when they're screaming that you have to wait, and then you look and it's only been a minute! When you look back though, 40 minutes isn't too bad for the first night I don't think.

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  3. Hang in there....it's worth it:)
    Mrs. B.

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  4. 40 minutes is awesome!! Sounds like a replay of our first few nights of sleep training for Ephraim. Asher was much easier! But seriously, it will pass and she WILL learn to sleep through the night. You'll be shocked at how well rested you are after the fact :) One thing to remember: setbacks are normal and you'll probably have to do this a few times (they learn, then they unlearn because of sickness, travel, etc.) before they sleep solidly most of the time. It's hard not to pick them up, but I think it's best so they learn to soothe themselves back to sleep, not rely on you. Ephraim has been the stubborn one who knew how to cry like a maniac during the night!

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  5. Hang in there Malinda! I know it completely sucks to listen to the cries...but very worth it in the end. Be praying for you!

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  6. I will be interested to find out how this works for you. Adie loved to sleep...Keziah does NOT! Just when I think it's getting better it gets worse, but then just when I think I'm going to loose my mind to sleep deprivation she sleeps!!

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