Anyone done controlled crying? how long did it take?

Sorry girls - I'm aware that I'm starting to sound like a broken record but I'm really struggling with this one

We're currently trying the controlled crying method with Olivia (10 months) and I dont feel that its going well. I thought she was starting to get the hang of it at night - if she woke in the night she was only taking around 15-20 mins to fall asleep but last night was a disaster.

The days are going terribly with her spending over an hour each day screaming the house down and pacing round her cot before I end up having to get her out as I cant stand it any longer and dont feel its working. She just doesnt show any signs of giving up or falling asleep.

I feel as though I'm traumatising the poor girl and will end up making the aversion to getting in her cot worse. She used to sleep so well. We would put her in her cot asleep but she would go down with no worries.

I'm just wondering if anyone else has done the controlled crying and if they have any hints for me? How long did it take?

Also if anyone tried it and it didnt work, do you have any other suggestions for me?

I'm sorry to keep whinging but this is really starting to get me down and I really need some advice.

Thanks ladies
Shelley & Olivia (both tired and sad) xx

Hi

Thanks for your reply. Olivia's currently upstairs screaming her little head off. I know I'm going to end up giving in but I know that I cant as she'll never learn.

We've made the mistake of giving Olivia milk when she wakes in the night until this week as she had become dependant on the bottle to get to sleep. She doesnt need the extra milk but it was the only thing to settle her. As its stopped working for that reason I've stopped giving it to her and started with the controlled crying.

Each time I go in she's standing up or walking round the edges of her cot - should I lay her down when I go in? This just seems to rile her up again.

I hate feeling this out of control of the situation and although I know it must end at some point, I just cant see it at the minute.

We're due to go out on Saturday night and Olivia was supposed to be staying at her Grandmas but I just dont feel I can send her in this state.

Shelley xx

Thank you

Thanks so much for your support hunny, its much appreciated.

I caved in the end and gave her a cuddle after 1.5hrs. She's now asleep on the sofa - which is progress in a way as I cant normally lay her down at all!

I've spoken to hubby and we've decided to go down a similar route to the one you did. We're going to get her to master the controlled crying method at night before introducing it during the day. I'm off out later today to buy one of those musical light shows to try at night.

I'm going to start her bedtime routine a bit earlier so she's nice and relaxed with bath, milk and story as you suggested and then put her in her cot. Hopefully we can get her sorted as she seems to understand the difference between night and day.

I'm going to continue to try and get her used to being put down during the day - hopefully progressing from the sofa to her bed. To be honest anythings an improvement on what she's been doing for the past week.

I wont turn down your offer of support just yet though, its easy to be positive when she's asleep!!

Thanks again
Shelley & Livvy (ssssshhhh, shes sleeping!) xxxxxx

Hi shelley

So sorry to hear it isnt going well. I remember replying to your previous post.

My son was exactly the same but also started to wake up the minute we tried to put him down. So what I did was put him down and stroke his hair, hold his hand rub his back so he knew I was still there but I refused to pick him up. That went on for a few nights until eventually he would go to sleep within 10 - 20 minutes providing I was in the room.

He then decided he didnt want to go to sleep but would happily lie in his cot for upto an hour and a half wide awake (at least fighting the sleep) That is when we had to introduce the controlled crying. It took us one night but I have heard that it can take up to a week.

This is my sons routine, it might help:

6.00 - 6.30 Wake up and cuddles time in bed with me while my hubby gets his bottle ready.

7.00 - 7.30 Bottle

7.30 - 8.00 Breakfast

8.30 - 9.00 Nap for anything up to an hour and a half.

10.00 - 10.30 Up, juice and yoghurt or fruit

12.00 - 12.30 Lunch & Bottle

13.00 - 13.30 Afternoon nap for anything up to an hour and a half but never past 3.

15.00 Up, juice and left over snacks

17.00 - 17.30 Dinner

18.00 - Bath time

18.30 - 19.00 Bottle and bed (he usually refuses his bottle.


I hope this helps at least a little bit. I think the reason controlled crying worked so well for us was because we originally stayed in the room while he cried but reassured him at the same time. It is difficult but they do realise they not going to get their own way and be picked up. We had tried the CC before this but my heart really wasnt in it.