Hi - I just joined today, and reading the success stories in the above sticky forum really give me hope - we are in a total mess with our second daughter - she is almost 6 months old, and is waking on average of 4-8 times a night. We used Healthy Sleep Habits with our first - but she was a dream child - would cry a few minutes and then happily go to sleep. With my second, she has struggled with Acid Reflux, which is now under control, but it has lead to horrible sleep habits - eating was the only thing that soothed her for a few months, so now she just wants to nurse (out of habit) all night... she throws fits with my husband tries to sooth her instead of me...(she is exclusively breastfed)

Anyway, I am a wreck from lack of sleep, and it has really taken a toll on my ability to parent my older child (who is an excellent sleeper) - I am so short tempered and cranky all the time - I can barely function - I feel as though I am on the verge of a total breakdown.

So I know extinction is the only thing that is going to work for us - but I am terrified to start trying - Isobel (my youngest) screams bloody murder when we have tried to let her cry it out before - she makes herself vomit and gag - she will cry (full on scream) for over an hour- and I cave. I can't do it! But things are getting so bad - i know I have to.

We have another issue - she is addicted to swaddling - she will not sleep for more than an hour without being swaddled. I guess I have to just go cold turkey on everything - but I am really dreading it.

I guess I wondered if anyone had specific experiences with going cold turkey on swaddling - and also is 6 months too young to do the full CIO extinction method - a lot of the stories I have read seem to be with older kids 7 months or older...

Any experience or suggestions with a swaddle-addicted screamer would be appreciated

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andrea
mama to Anika (6/04) and Isobel (8/07)

This concerns me as with reflux it could also be a hazard to her health at night.

If you are terrified to start, trust your instincts. Have you read Elizabeth Pantley's No Cry Sleep Solution? I know this is a CIO forum but it may not be advisable in a baby with reflux because of the frantic crying leading to aspiration if she spits up so I may look into other sleep methods that are a little more gentle and don't terrify you.

I also wouldn't let a child cry for an hour with the levels of stress hormones to their brains. Not good with medical terminology but Harvard just did a study on it recently.
Children Need Touching and Attention, Harvard Researchers Say

I hope you find something that works for you AND your little one. FWIW, my DS went through stages where he slept all through the night, and then for a few weeks (LONG weeks) would wake 8-9 times a night. I was at wit's end until I learned about Sleep Regression (they happen at specific weeks of development)... basically they happen right before your child is about to hit a milestone, as their minds are too busy to sleep in preparation for this awesome new thing they are about to physically undertake. You can read about it if you google "sleep regression" it could be THAT, or a BF growth spurt.

Good luck with your LO's!

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If her acid relux is under control I would go for it because you cannot function as a mother and I have been there too, believe me! The way I look at it is.... a few nights of screaming (or more depending on the kid) is a price I am willing to pay for a child that screams all the time due to being tired and still won't sleep well. NWIM?? At 6 months... I don't think she needs to eat at night (certainly not that often) and I would cut that out cold turkey! As far as swaddling go, if it is a problem because she gets loose and needs to be swaddled repeatedly through out the night I would cut that too! My kids actually hated being swaddled after about 2 weeks old so I have never had an issue with that one. I did have some issues with soothers though when it would fall out my kids would flip out and want it back... just stopped giving it too them and they got over it. Good luck!!

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Dom Loves to give Charleigh Kisses!

It is very dangerous to let infants with acid reflux cry. It causes them to produce more acid and swallow air which make the reflux worse. I have a child similar to yours, he is 8 month now. Around 6 months he did the same thing as yours but now that he is 8 months it is much better. I have him in bed with me. If he wakes up I let him nurse while I sleep. Get plenty of pillows, so you are comfy. CIO isn't for babies with this condition. If you work with positioning, you will be able to get your rest. Also, it will not last forever. As you may know, breastmilk is a natural antacid. It is natures cure for reflux. Even just a small amount here and there will help soothe your baby's reflux. Nursing is sooooo important. PM me if you have any questions. I have been where you are and I promise you can get through it. HUGS