Hi All Mum's with bubs with the dummy problem.....didn't I start a common problem!!. Sorry I haven't been online of late, otherwise I would have responded sooner.
I was like one of the other mum's and thought I must have been the only one going through this.....that is why this forum is so excellent, you know you aren't on your own and can chat to people going through the same problems!!!
Anyway, I just wanted to say that I'm thinking of all you mum's as I know what you are going through. Shanni has offered a lot of great tips which is fantastic, I just want to reinterate that even though we did a modified version of CC it maybe not for everyone. Shani is right, once you have the foundations in place then you have the confidence to do it. I won't lie, it was hard for me (as I'm quite a softy) however I needed to do it for all three of us.
Firstly I ruled out that my bub wasn't waking up due to hunger, then I got her checked over by the health nurse and even went to a doctor before I started modified CC just so I knew I had ruled everything out.
Then as I explained in my other post, we put our bub down with her dummy (as I didn't want to take it off her completely.....each to their own but as I said I am a softy).
Then when she lost it we started the CC. We went in 2,4,6,8 & then every 10mins. I stroked her cheek, told her I love her and that it is sleep time and then walked out. It is heartbreaking but we didn't know what else to do after 3 weeks of waking every 20-30mins. We called it modified as we didn't stick to the book/advice completely, we went in when we felt the need but tried to stay as strong as possible.
When we addressed the dummy problem, we also addressed the wrapping issue (thought we would do everything at once) as she couldn't put herself to sleep unless she was wrapped which was getting quite hard on warm days.
To Karen, Katrina and Donna (and other mum's) all I can suggest is that you go with what your instinct is. Modified CC may not be an option you want to pursue which is fine, we just decided we would give it a try. We had excellent support from our health nurse which we are very fortunate, if we had a problem we could ring her the next day and ask as many questions as we want.
I've been lucky with the feeding, I use to do a roll-over feed at 10.00pm but bub dropped that herself just before the dummy issue arose.
I feel very lucky that our bub goes down at 7.00pm and doesn't wake until 6.30am. I know we will have a bad night here and there, and there may be nights where she doesn't sleep due to teething, illness etc but I now know that there is light at the end of the tunnel.
I wish you all well, and you are all in my thoughts. I hope it has been of help.
Cheers!!!
Mum & Baby Girl 31.05.04