PUPD/ Settle & leave- the answer to four month regression?

[Jonkastique]

So, i'm in the middle of a great big stinking month regression with my five month old baby girl. It started 3-4 weeks ago and has become steadily worse.

Last night we started bedtime routine at 5.30, and she was still awake at 11pm. She then woke every couple of hours through the night. On the plus side, her naps today were awesome!

Bedtime tonight was early because she was so exhausted. She slept for half an hour, a woke up at 6.30 and here we are.

I'm not averse to cc if need be, but feel she's a bit too young yet for that.

So i'm trying PUPD. Any tips?

[fanjobiscuits]

We did PUPD. It worked but there was a period of horror which seemed as though it would last forever. I would definitely do it again.

Main tip is read the book as it is more nuanced a technique than you think, and varies depending on age. We did some Internet research too which was useful. Babywhisperer forum is good and we posted there for help.

Also you need to be consistent if working with someone else (ie if anyone but you does the putting down) and make sure you clearly communicate what exactly you are doing and do it the same or you risk confusing baby and drawing it out.

[Jonkastique]

Thanks. What is the name of the book?

She's now sleeping :) Either due to pups or simple exhaustion!

[fanjobiscuits]

We used baby whisperer solves all your problems by Tracy Hogg but there might be other books by her which cover it too. Good luck!

[Jonkastique]

Thanks!

[BettyBi0]

We persevered with PUPD (baby whisperer version) and results were a bit hit and miss here tbh. DD was 5.5 months, we followed it consistently so the letter and I lost count of the number of times we PU so timed the overall horrible thing instead. At first it was taking 1hr20 mins (eve) same for daytime naps. It got to the point where she was just inconsolable and wouldn't stop screaming when I PU, just constinuously screamed. We had some success with day time naps on day 3 with only 20 mins screaming but it was short lived.

I started to feel like it was really affecting our relationship as she couldn't be consoled by me at other times which was new. For example, she started freaking out in a "stranger danger" way with friends but when I held her she still wouldn't stop crying, wouldn't feed etc. heartbreaking!

After 2 weeks she came down with a bug (?stress related) with horrendous diarrheoa and cough. With the constant diarrheoa came constant breast feeding and within days all the (limited) progress we'd made was lost. Miserable!

I think PUPD just really frustrated her and maybe CC would hve actually been kinder...

[IShallCallYouSquishy]

My DS is just coming up 5 months and has gone from doing 10-11 hours with just one very quick feed during the night, to 3-4 wake ups.

Tbh I just feed him each time he wakes. 20 minutes of feeding him is far more preferable to me than doing any kind of sleep training. They're still tiny and their little brains and bodies are going through big growths and developments. They want the comfort of the familiar.

We had the same issue with DD and would feed or cuddle her back to sleep. She's 2.2 now and is brilliant at night. Gets herself to sleep and sleeps through all night unless there is a genuine reason like illness or teeth.

[Singsongmama]

Tbh I just feed him each time he wakes. 20 minutes of feeding him is far more preferable to me than doing any kind of sleep training. They're still tiny and their little brains and bodies are going through big growths and developments. They want the comfort of the familiar.

I'm the same as above - I call it the "just ride it out" method - I'm exhausted and confused and there are times I am sick to death of getting up but as hard as it is, at least DS isn't crying and wailing. But I know I'm not actively training him to sleep himself. He sometimes does settle himself and for me I can't bear the thought that he might actually be hungry/thirsty so when he escalates from grinching/snuffling to crying/whining I get him. If it's been more than a few hours I nurse. Less than a few hours I rock and cuddle.

I have friends who leave and cc. I have friends who gina ford. They all get full nights sleep now but had to do unpleasant training first....it's a choice. (And it might not work depending on baby and their stage/development) All the best. Happy sleeping!

[AnythingNotEverything]

I have friends who had great success with the No Cry Sleep Solution which is quite gentle I believe.

[Jonkastique]

Thanks ladies. That IS heartbreaking Bettyb :( how is your lo now? Is she settling any better?

Squishy, that pattern is pretty similar to ours. My girl wakes several times through the night now and is really hungry so feeds quickly. Now she is going back to sleep quickly which is great as she was taking a while before.

I was fine with riding it out actually, but feeding and / or rocking to sleep were no longer working. She would finish feeding and wouldn't want any more, but wouldn't fall asleep and wouldn't settle with rocking either. In fact she would work herself up more and more and be screaming - I began to wonder if she wanted me to put her down but continue to comfort her and tbh I needed to try something different.

So far so good. She has responded really well and there was no screaming, just grizzling graduating to first stage crying, when I picked her up. Now I don't need to pick her up, just comfort her in her moses.

We're staying at my parents' tonight, let's hope it works as well here!

[Jonkastique]

Oh my giddy aunt! It took a while to get her off to sleep but she slept 9pm until almost 8!

I may have to move back in with my parents!