Oh i def don't want to do any cc... i am nervous even with the name sleep school -- but are saying they DON"T do any cc and it still worked for you?
i will look that up. i thought that a program that comes to you would be eaiser did you find going there ok?
another thing i have heard is that it all stuffs up like any sleep does with teething colds etc.. so i am actually wondering if sleep schools help? i mean his night sleeps are fine adn naps are fine but the techniques of getting there seems to be difficult.
i hear you about any 'good nanny' but that seems to be precisely the problem i am having. i can't find one!! i'll take suggestions there too!
Nox, I was so nervous about the words sleep school that I didn't go until my DS was a week off turning one LOL. I went to a MCHN centre in my area, who uses nurses from the O'Connell centre. They were great, and really try to work out a plan that you can use comfortably. They say there's no point in getting you to do something that you can't continue on with at home! That being said, we most of the time use our own methods to get him to sleep, because it's faster, but it's good to know that he can and will settle for other people. He's not the sort of kid you can just stick in the cot wide awake and know that he'll go to sleep, but that's okay, that's who he is!
FWIW, although sleep school was helpful to us, we probably could have lived without it. But I say that in hindsight, at the time I was pretty frustrated. I'm much more relaxed now about his sleep patterns. It's easier when they're older though.
ETA Nox, seeing as you're in Melbourne, have a look at Pinky McKay's website You might find what you're looking for there.
I have looked at Pinky's site, read her books and been to her seminars. While I find her incredibly comforting adn reassuring, what I didn't fid was strategies that would be specific to us. My DS sounds the same -- I laugh (and cry) when I hear about babies who just go to sleep ... so not the case with our either!
Maybe I should also relax and realise at this age if he doesn't get his naps the world wont' fall apart and he will sleep ... it is frustrating though because then if he falls asleep at 4 or 5 pm he won't go to bed until late adn that is when I get most of my work done, then he may sleep late, which then sets the whole cycle.
Maybe sleep school techniques that are gentle as you suggest from O'Connell House or QEC are worth looking into. I am closer to the Camberwell one. I have also emailed Pinky to ask if my situation is worth a consult.
Can I ask you about O'Connell House -- what do they do and how? DId you spend any time listening to crying?
I went to Twedle earlier this year, and if they say they dont do controlled crying, they are lying! Thats exactly what it was!
I was told to put DD down in the cot wide awake, and walk out of the room. When she started crying, I could go in there, and pat her and make sshhh noises till she calmed down, but couldnt pick her up or look her in the eye. When she calmed down, I was told to walk out of the room (this took about 30 mins), and then if she started crying again, wait a few more minutes, and repeat the process. If this isnt controlled crying, I don't know what is!
I would definitely look into the other schools, cause I dont think Tweddle will give you what u are looking for. Let us know how you go!
Wow kellie -- how did you go with it? Did it work? It does sound like it is too full on for me actually. I am surprised that my MCHN suggested it as she knows how I feel about these things.
I will definitely look into other options ... or if I hear back from Pinky I will tell you how it went.
I really wonder if any of these things really work, I mean isn't it just a case of growing out of it? Or am I being optimistic?
Nox - I didnt go with it... I was also promised that it wasnt controlled crying, so as soon as we got home, I went back to my usual ways, which were sometimes feeding to sleep, and sometimes just cuddling to sleep.
I am very interested in what you find out though, cause I want to know that she will settle for other people, if I have to go back to work.
No I haven't read that book. I'll tell you what I read Pinky's Sleeping Like a Baby and the Sears Family's Baby Book and their Baby Sleep Book. All of these make you feel fabulous for following your instincts which was wonderful. BUT I have to say that in terms of real likfe strategies I didn't get too much out of it. I know my kid's sleep signs ect but it is the way I put him down that I guess makes it hard (*although according to these authors, I am perfect the way I am) but like you, I am back at work and need to feel better that he is being settled!
I have asked Pinky about this directly so will let you know what she says. I have also been told that he will settle for others if they try their ways for long enough. I am just concerned about what those ways may be -- or in the case of some day cares, that if he doesn't sleep, he just doesn't sleep -- which of course I understand!
I am really not sure that I feel ok about going to to school for this .... but maybe it is the only option? I like everyone else, just want to do the right thing, in spite of all the comments about spoiling etc I get!
I want to continue with attachment/gentle parenting but I need to make it work for all of us, including now for me. There must be a way! I will keep you informed!
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