u/MermaidMyDay-8

We’re sleep training our 5 month old with a 2/2.5/2.5/3 wake window schedule. Total sleep is 13-14 hours. Here’s how bedtime cry-down has gone:

• Night 1: 41 min

• Night 2: 42 min

• Night 3: 60 min

• Night 4: 33 min

• Night 5: 21 min

• Night 6: 3 min * no crying (yay)

Bedtime feels like it’s finally clicking — but now overnight is a disaster. We went from 2-3 night wakings to feed to 7-8. She settles back after feeds but keeps waking between cycles and crying on and off. (I’ve only been feeding if it’s been over 3+ hours since last) otherwise I do check-ins

Did anyone else experience this? Is this normal progression or a sign it’s not working? Feeling really defeated after all this work. Any advice welcome 💔

TLDR: Bedtime onset improved on night 6 but now suddenly overnight wakings increased from 2-3 to 7-8. Help!

We’re sleep training our 5 month old using a gentle Ferber approach with a 2/2.5/2.5/3 wake window schedule. Total sleep is 13-14 hours. Here’s how bedtime cry-down has gone:

• Night 1: 41 min

• Night 2: 42 min

• Night 3: 60 min

• Night 4: 33 min

• Night 5: 21 min

• Night 6: 3 min * no crying

Bedtime feels like it’s finally clicking — but now overnight is a disaster. We went from 2-3 night wakings to 7-8. She settles back after feeds but keeps waking between cycles and crying on and off.

Did anyone else experience this? Is this normal Ferber progression or a sign it’s not working? Feeling really defeated after all this work. Any advice welcome 💔

TLDR: Bedtime onset improved on night 6 but now suddenly overnight wakings increased from 2-3 to 7-8. Help!

Before Ferber: had to rock her completely to sleep every night, rocked her back down for every single waking, and bedtime was taking 2 hours. We loved our snuggly routine but it was really getting unsustainable.

Nights so far:

• Night 1 -1 hour of crying

• Night 2- 30 mins 2 night wakes (progress!)

• Night 3 (tonight)- back over an hour(she’s still crying currently) and I’m questioning everything

Doing check-ins every 10 mins if needed. She settles when I go in but screams when I leave. Still feeding at night if it’s been 3+ hours since I’m not trying to night wean, just independent sleep onset. Ped gave us the green light!

I know 5 months is within the recommended window but now I’m wondering if I should wait? My heart is breaking. Anyone else have a rough night 3? I feel like I hear night 3 shows improvement. Please tell me it gets better!