Hey dach,

Sorry it's hard for you at the moment, mate. I would certainly recommend a routine. We don't have a daytime routine, but Charlie's night routine is as follows:

* Play with Dad when he comes home
* Dad gives him dinner and water
* A quiet play (if he's not too grizzly and tired)
* Bath - stories in the bath
* Get dressed in semi darkness (he has been known to fall asleep on the change table!)
* Breast feed (only because I like it - my MCHN says not to, but I don't really care - Charlie and I like it)
After this I put him in his cot with his "Teddy" and he rolls over and goes to sleep easily.


During the day, we just put him to bed as soon as he gets grizzly and I've eliminated all other possibilities. The only 'sleep aid' he has is his favourite Teddy. It did take a while, but we did 'responding to his cry' thing that Tootie suggested - not really CC, but kind of. We listen to his type of cry and only pick him up when he cries in a really hysterical way. I know it's not for everyone, but I found that he was getting used to me picking him up everytime he made the slightest noise, and he was getting used to 'getting his way'. It was very draining, and I was finding the prospect of doing that for the next few years quite daunting. (That sounds like I'm a 'mean' mum, but it's not like that) This way he learned to self soothe, and came to realise that there were some things he has to learn on his own. It took a few days before he was really into it, and it was very hard for me not to rush in every time, and he still has his moments, but things are much better. I hope you find a solution that suits you! In the meantime, big hugs to you and Yasin, and I hope things get better soon.