why is comforted sleeping so effective?

Hi, DS has always been a great self settler, we introduced the Save Our Sleep routine to him at 7 months and it worked well. However, he's now 15 months and not settling at night at all. He isn't a big eater actually but loves his milk. If he wakes at 5am, he'll go back down at 9am and then 2pm but sometimes if he wakes at 6.30am, he'll push through until lunch time, it's hard and he gets quite tired but he manages it and sleeps for a couple of hours.

I'd blame teething, as he's getting his two top molars. I give him nurofen most nights and that SM-33 teething gel before bed. I do lavender bath and lavender on bed linen and try my best to soothe him at bed time the best way I can. However, I'll walk out of the room and he's cry, I let him go for a little while but then I go in and try and settle him.

Whatever happened to our self-settler? Is it separation anxiety? Why is comforted sleeping more beneficial than a routine like Tizzie's? I've always just known SOS routine and I'm so interested as to what comforted solutions everyone uses to let their Bub sleep.

We have a DD too and she self settles fine, always has. She'll also sleep through his screaming.

Thanks so much for your help!

I personally believe that letting our little men fall asleep next to us is because they can hear our breathing slow, our heartrates that they are so used to hearing relax and settle. I believe that it works cause we are modelling the behaviour for them we want them to follow. It doesn't mean you have to do it every night, just when they need it after they learn to settle again.

There is a lot of research into why cosleeping is beneficial for babies, including gaseous exchange, skin on skin contact, access to the breasts etc.

There is also lots of research about why leaving a baby to cry is damaging to their developing brain, as well as undermining the attachment between parent and child which has been linked to an increase in depression and anxiety.

We all do what is best for us and our family. Please do not feel judged by those who oppose Tizzy Hall and SOS...its just her ideas do go against research into this area.

Are you after links to read? The authors Bowlby and Ainsworth are noted for their work in attachment theory, while Dr Sears is noted as the guru of attachment parenting.

I also like this article by Dr McKenna which gives an oerview of solo sleeping practices and why it is better for babies to sleep with a parent.

Double post

Yeah, what Arcadia said :)

Here are some more articles that might help:

Babies and Sleep
15 ways to help your baby sleep
Co-sleeping
Controlled crying
The con of controlled crying
Cuddle me Mum
Sweet Dreams