I'm trying to figure out the best plan of action. We've been trying to introduce a lovey for quiet some time, and in the process I've become the lovey. To put him to sleep I just lay down next to him and he goes to sleep after snuggling up, but he'll wake up every hour at night until I'm in bed, and then he sleeps great. We have an early bed time, I try to move away at night, and even pop him off during night nursing. Any suggestions?
Thanks
-nicole

Hi! I just have a few questions so I can try and help you better:

How old is he? Could he be teething at all? That can affect their ability to sleep by themselves; when teething they quite often want comfort.

How many sleep logs have you done while introducing the new lovey? It can take a few cycles of sleep logs to get something going on.

What is the lovey you chose? Have you tried wearing it under your shirt around the house so it smells like you? Do you hold the lovey between you as he falls asleep or nurses? All these things can help.

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Hmm, ok lets give this a shot.

He is 8 months old, just got his third DPT shot, which probably accounts for the last few days waking up after 30 min, but he was waking up every hour before that. He's already got his bottom teeth, and has started to show pre-teething signs, so you may well be onto something.

As for the lovey, it's been around for at least 4 sleep logs, I haven't work it in the shirt yet, but we do snuggle with it when we sleep and nurse. I chose a Clifford the big red dog doll, truth be told he really doesn't have a lot of interest in it when he's sleepy, but when he's awake he loves throwing it around.

I'll look into the teething, and keep trying and wear the lovey and let you know in a few more days.

Thank you so much!!

Good News, you were on target with the uncomfortable thing, but it turns out it was too cold. The weather warmed up but the nights cooled down, after turning on the heater a bit higher last night he finally slept for 3+ hrs w/o me, and tonight he's doing a lot better as well. I know it is too soon to jump for joy, but it is a quick and noticable improvement. Thanks a ton.

That's good to hear! Keep updating us!

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He had a bit of a relapse, but then has overnight(literally) gone from multiple wakings to two a night, and is taking great naps. I'd like to cut out the two nightly feedings, but he seems to need them(like if he nurses from only one side he wakes in 2 hrs, but if he does both sides he'll sleep for 4-5 hrs). We are getting a lot more sleep, and are much happier. Our next step is slowly introducing him to the crib.
I think we are doing pretty good(until we have our next vaccination).

That's so good to hear! I was having the nursing-on-one-side issue with this little guy... A lactation consultant said that if I need to make sure he stays awake for the whole feeding by changing his diaper or taking off his outfit so he's cool and it wakes him up, then that is what I need to do...

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Host of:
The No Cry Sleep Solution
Attachment Parenting