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First of all, congratulations! And come over to r/babybumps! A lot of questions you might not think to ask are being discussed there already.

The best way to tell your other half is... just tell him! Do it in person, and at a time where the two of you have some time to talk and be together, and do it without setting any sort of expectations or mood. Likely he will be a bit shocked at first, but unless your relationship wasn't meant to be, he will warm up to the idea (maybe even faster than you do, who knows!).

I'm 35 weeks pregnant now... I can tell you that as your pregnancy progresses, things will get more "real" mentally so don't be afraid when you experience some serious mood swings and shifts in your thoughts about the pregnancy. It might not be until your first ultrasound... or it might not be until you look into your baby's eyes for you to feel that rush of motherly love. Even women who got pregnant on purpose (like me) find themselves doubting sometimes. It's all normal.

Prenatal vitamins is a good start. Honestly, visiting an OB this early won't do much good, and in fact they often don't see women until they are at least 12 weeks (because many pregnancies miscarry in those first few weeks). At a 12 week appointment, you might do an ultrasound to confirm your due date (but if you have been charting, you probably already know exactly when you conceived), and you can start asking your OB any questions you have. But until you do the research, you might find that being under the care of a midwife, or giving birth at a birthing center (or at home) is a better fit for you. It won't hurt to see an OB, of course, but OB's are primarily surgeons so they might not give you all the support you need. Regardless, don't rely on any kind of medical caregiver 100%; take charge of your own pregnancy and birth and do the research! Once you do the research, you will be able to decide what type of birthing class is right for you (I highly recommend taking one... I took a Hypnobabies course and was very satisfied with the large amount of information they gave me, and also the confidence I feel as I get closer to my birthing day).

Here are some common book and movie recommendations:

Ina May Gaskin's Guide to Childbirth (she is the leading authority on natural birth)

Your Best Birth (and their film you can find on Netflix, The Business of Being Born)

The Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth (good if you like a lot of scientific discussion on birth options)

The Baby Book by Dr. Sears. (I own this book and it makes me feel really good to have it on hand when my baby gets here... so much info!)

Have you read Pantley's - No Cry Sleep Sleep Solution? I know gentle parenting is hard when you are frustrated, but she has some good tips, like how to create a bedtime routine and how to stick with something for 10 days.

I work full time, and, although I would love to be home with my daughter, most days I feel like this is a blessing. It gets me out of the house, makes me feel like I can have real adult interactions and gives me a sense of purpose. Plus, its a break. I can come home feeling emotionally and physicially ready to play with my toddler again. I know its not a possibilty for everyone, by maybe working might help? Or even Voulenteering with your daughter, Lots of people love babies, voulenterring to visit old folks or making play dates with other children (although both of these can be stressful) might help.

I know you already know this, but taking care of yourself first is the only way you have enough to give to another person. It takes a village to raise a child.

I am not a doctor, this is not medical advice, everything here can be found on google.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends palivizumab monoclonal antibody for high-risk infants and children with RSV - I don't know your risks, but worth knowing about it. Position here.

Gentle clapping over the chest (front and back) with cupped hands (like this) will help mobilize secretions in the chest.

If there's a bunch of junk in the nose, an aspirator like this can help. Also, a sinus rinse like this in conjunction with suction may help.

Upright as much as possible. warm humid air will help moisten the secretions in the chest, which will help them clear out.

If coughing continues for an extended period, then cold dry air (like driving around with the windows cracked open) will help reduce the inflammation in the airways. Sometimes popsicles will help too, as they indirectly cool all the air being breathed in, and what kid doesn't love popsicles, especially when they don't feel good.

Good luck.

Source: respiratory therapist for ~10 years.

I just got the Deluxe Fisher Price Booster seat (recommended by Reddit!) and I love it - we take it everywhere with us, my son is super comfortable in it and it doesn't take up a lot of room. For safety you need to make sure the child can't push off against the table or they can fall backwards. We haven't fed my son in it yet - still 2 weeks to go - we use it so my son can join us for meals. My girlfriend fed her messy 6.5 monther yesterday and it was super easy to clean.

We tried the Antilope because of how easy it us to clean and it did not seem safe. You can't really get the lap restraint tight and my son at 5 months was able to wedge a foot under his butt, which is part one of the leading cause of high chair falls - kids fall when their restraints are not sufficient and they can stand. A Redditor mentioned that a friend made their own 5-point restraint shoulder strap which sounded awesome, but way out if my skill level. Also, because of an issue with their supplier the tray is out of stock until August.

I looked at hundreds of high chairs and found the perfect chair - easy to clean, ergonomic, small footprint and very safe - the Baby Bjorn High Chair. The $270 price tag was just too much for this stay at home mom. Most chairs have cushions and creases that are impossible to clean. I have seen the results and it isn't pretty. My second choice chair is the Keekaru - it isn't cheap either.

Good luck!!

EDIT typos

While some don't fit your criteria, I'm a fan of many of the items from Fat Brain Toys. My daughter has the following from there:

• Tobbles Neo - She loves this thing!
  
  
• pipSquigz
  
  Her other basic, non-musical, not-very-themepark-ish toys are (and some you mention you have, but still...):
  
  
• Oball - These are extremely easy for babies of all ages to hold. Everything from Oball is fantastic.
  
  
• Wood Hammer Set
  
  
• Classic stacking rings
  
  
• Classic stacking cups
  
  
• A crap ton of wood puzzles
  
  
• Classic wood shape-sorter
  
  
• Counting Caterpillar
  
  But, honestly, my daughter grows out of things pretty quickly. She has fallen in and out of love with her toys repeatedly. She also loves music, so as much as I wish she would just like the silent, simple toys... she thrives most and has the most fun with things that are loud and musical. I hate everything Vtech, but she could dance for days if given the opportunity... so as a parent, sometimes I suck it up and realize that despite whatever toys I wish or think she should have, she finds other things more enjoyable (especially as she became a toddler had had true opinions on things).

I also highly recommend It's not the Stork. It is a basic into to sex book that explains everything at a 3-6 year old level.

It includes basic anatomy, proper names for parts, how babies are made, and safety. It talks about how families come in all shapes and sizes, and much more.

I also recommend the other books, It's So Amazing for 7 year olds to puberty and "It's Perfectly Normal" for puberty age kids.

My daughter loves the book and it still catches me a bit off guard when she picks it for bedtime stories (we'll just do a chapter or two). Oh great, impromptu sex talk tonight I see. I do my best to make it no big deal.

I co-slept/bed-shared and breastfed, so I slept 9+ hours every night. I have three beautiful, thriving girls to show for it. At 7 weeks, a later bedtime is okay, IMO. It helps to work it down earlier and earlier the older they get because they obviously sleep for longer periods.

Highly, highly recommend this: http://www.amazon.com/No-Cry-Sleep-Solution-Gentle-Through/dp/0071381392

Edited to add: I have to agree with some of the replies here about 7 weeks being too young for a sleep schedule. When you start to feel that she has established a a natural eating/sleeping rhythm herself, I think that may be the best time to start training. And the "training" should be more of a gentle nudging sort of thing. Be flexible and be kind to yourself. I personally know so many moms who develop PTSD over their kids' sleeping schedule. I guess when you're sleep deprived, it can become an obsessive thing. I can understand that. Don't let it ever overshadow the wonder of having an infant!

I totally agree with your doctor about not needing a daily bath. You can start bathing her daily when she starts getting dirty daily. Here's a hint: if you have to ask yourself whether she's dirty...chances are, she's not really dirty.

This has been so wonderful for our 10 month old! It's my favorite thing so far! My daughter has six teeth, 4 on the top in the front, and two on the bottom in the front... meaning, she can take BIG bites out of anything (even those hard biter biscuits) and then, of course since she only has teeth in the front, can't mash the food up to swallow. This thing is great! I can stick some fruit in it, hand it to her, and she's happy for the next half hour. We even put a small piece of Easter ham, a green bean and a bite of scalloped potatoes in there for her on Sunday and she absolutely loved it! Until she gets more teeth, I'm sticking with this handy little tool and those Gerbers Puffs and Yogurt Puffs for snack time. My heart can't handle any more choking scares!

My son is only 19 months but I've been following the principles of Jim Fay's book Love and Logic Magic for Early Childhood.

The basic principles involve giving empathy and love along with discipline instead of anger and threats, letting kids make mistakes and learning from the consequences, and creating a strong sense of self for your kids. I highly recommend it!

(PS you can buy used off amazon for much cheaper than the price for a new one :))

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/1930429002/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1373401788&sr=8-1&pi=SL75

Yes, yes, yes to the Nose Frida Snot Sucker. I had such issues with my kids and congestion and those bulb syringes never worked. But a warning, it does a good job and feels weird. Don't be surprised if your kid does NOT like it but their easy breathing is your reward.


This is what worked for us:

• Using Nose Frida along with saline drops
  
  
• Elevate head of bassinet/crib slightly (fold up a baby blanket or place a book under the mattress)
  
• Use a cool mist humidifier

Yay, so glad to hear it went well. I can't wait to camp with our little one. You mentioned bringing a kiddie pool. Do you have one yet? We got this one and it's great. Inflates pretty quick, deflates to fold up small, holds enough water to be fun for splashing. Only (small) downside is that it is absolutely covered in warning labels. Ha!

Has anyone mentioned the Windi from Fridababy?? It worked great for my son. He was so gassy! We did some bicycle legs for a minute before we used the windi and it worked wonders. Just be careful because poop might come out also 😂

Windi The Gaspasser by Fridababy The All-Natural Solution for Baby Colic and Gas Relief https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007RAGALO/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_q8GZCb3KZM19D

Good idea, definitely look into getting a pump. Personally, I just fed on demand and only pumped maybe a 2 dozen or so times in the 2 years that I nursed my son but this [Madela Hand Pump] (https://www.amazon.com/Medela-Harmony-Manual-Breast-Pump/dp/B0006HBS1M/ref=sr_1_1_s_it?s=baby-products&ie=UTF8&qid=1487015148&sr=1-1&keywords=medela+hand+pump) is awesome. I also had an electric pump but just found the hand pump to be way more convenient.

We just took our 15 month-old, so here are some suggestions:

• Tiny baby pool. The waves kind of freaked out my guy, so having some water he could sit in and play in really helped. This is such a great size because it's easy to fill up quickly and very portable. https://www.amazon.com/Intex-Sunset-Glow-Baby-Pool/dp/B000I9RZOW/ref=sr_1_1
  
  
• Toddler beach chair. My little dude really liked sitting in his own folding chair. It was a good place for him to have a snack
  
  
• And of course, sand toys. Playing in the sand is so entertaining!!

I'm very sorry for your loss! It's not about losing a parent, specifically, but to answer your question, Lifetimes: The Beautiful Way to Explain Death to Children is a very helpful book, even for younger kids. I hope you find some good resources!

At this age, you just need to sit him down at set times for long enough to sing the ABCs. Get rid of the diapers and the rewards. The reward for using the potty is not being covered in poop or pee. [Oh Crap! Potty Training] (https://www.amazon.com/Oh-Crap-Potty-Training-Everything/dp/1501122983) worked really well for my 5 year old. Even now, she still needs to sat down periodically sometimes if we're doing something exciting, like going to the zoo.

I used a modified Ferber method to help my little one. For example, Ferber helped me create a night routine, set a sleep schedule, help me comfort my little one as they learn to comfort themselves, and drop night time nursing.

The goal is that eventually you will be able to put the the little one down awake, and they will be able to settle themselves. A very necessary life skill and a 10 month can definitely learn how to do this.

https://www.amazon.com/Solve-Your-Childs-Sleep-Problems/dp/0743201639/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1467736278&sr=8-1&keywords=Ferber

Please read "Protecting the Gift" by: Gavin De Becker. http://www.amazon.com/Protecting-Gift-Keeping-Children-Teenagers/dp/0440509009
I think all parents should read this book about how to keep children safe. He also has a great book that all women should read called The Gift of Fear.

First of all, it's not too late. Basically, you need to remove milk from your breasts either by pumping or nursing at least 8 times or more in a 24 hour period to maintain full milk supply. If your health insurance doesn't cover a pump (almost all do - you can check by calling the customer service line on your insurance card) then you can at least get a cheap manual pump like the Medela Harmony and still maintain milk supply. The only downside to a manual pump is that you can only pump one side at a time. I personally never responded to an electric pump, and exclusively used a manual pump at work through the first year. You can even use hand expression to maintain milk supply without a pump - and for many women it's can be even more effective than a pump! When you do get your hands on a manual or electric pump, try using the hands on pumping technique to help your output. If you're on Facebook, as to join this group BRAS Brestfeeding Support Group

One thing that really worked for us were frozen yogurt tubes. We'd get a box of Gogurts, freeze them, then give them to her half at a time. It's tasty yogurt and the cold really helped her gums.

Another thing was to get those little teething/feeding nets and put ice cubes in them. Like here: https://www.amazon.com/Fresh-Food-Feeder-Pack-Green/dp/B000GK5XY2

Those nets are awesome. The baby can only suck on them so no worries about choking. Since we only put ice cubes in them, we never had much issue with keeping them clean.

Good luck.

I have 2 boys as well as working in child development. For a high chair I would recommend one that you can strap into a regular chair and also has a removable tray, for example. You don't need the straps (they get super dirty). I cut the straps off my space saver high chair and threw them away. For toys I would recommend the basics and stay away from plastic and things with small removable parts. Get wooden blocks, a cloth ball, a simple [doll](https://www.amazon.com/Fisher-Price-Brilliant-Basics-Babys-First/dp/B0015KTV2C0, stacking cups, ring stack. Babies also like to rummage through things and bang on things, so clear out a floor level kitchen cabinet of all the things she can't have (cleaning materials, food, etc) and fill it back up with pots/pans/large spoons. Let her go to town pulling everything out and banging it together. Obviously, when she's gotten to the stage where she can open and go through a cabinet on her own - then it's time to baby proof ALL the things.

A friend who's a pediatrician recommended Your Baby's First Year, which may be a little too light for your tastes, but I found it easily digestible and a good book to reference quickly when I was wondering if/when the kid was expected to do something.

Don't ever lie. If he's mature enough to ask the question, he's mature enough for some sort of honest answer. What bad would possibly happen if you said, "Dad's piece, the sperm, got into my body through a special kind of very close hug during which his penis went into my vagina"? A version of that is the statement made in this very excellent book, which also gives honest and non-judging discussions of anatomy in general.

(Also, I understand why you said your egg was empty, but it wasn't! You're not a garden plot in which your husband's child grows. You contributed 50% of the genetic material!)

Have you tried the butt Frida?

I've heard good things. Good luck and hang in there... it won't last forever.

I recommend The Guide to Baby Led Weaning or The Baby Led Weaning Cookbook. The recipes are great!

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/161519049X/ref=pd_aw_sims_1?pi=SY115


Also I would avoid chunks of apple. The texture makes them really "chokey". Grating apple until molars come in is best. Or bake them first.

Also check out infant CPR for choking on YouTube so you will know what to do if anything happens. It made me feel much more confident.

My MIL was dead against BLW and would yell "He's choking!" and freaking out... I let her spoon feed him when she babysat but she quickly came around and was soon bragging about how well he feeds himself and eats everything to all her friends.

It sounds like teething, yes. It's pretty common for them to eat less when teething. Maybe freeze some milk and put a cube into a mesh feeder?

After confirming with the MD it’s just gas/constipation, I can say I use the windi after I cycle her legs and massage her belly down. I push her legs to her chest and after coating the tip with coconut oil I insert it- I can hear her gas and then poop follows. Best of luck!

We got the Fisher Price booster seat that sits on a normal chair! We too have a big pub style table, so now his chair is just permanently strapped on to one of the table chairs. Edit - better link. I linked originally to an out of date one so the price looked really expensive. It's only around $30. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0000DEW8N/ref=twister_B01IV0O8TY?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1 Our LO has been using it since 4 months and our friends (who recommended it to us) her three year old still uses the same one she had as an infant. So it'll last a while!

What helped my LO was using these:

https://www.amazon.com/Fresh-Food-Feeder-Pack-Green/dp/B000GK5XY2

I would fill them with frozen fruit like strawberries and she would love it while teething. Hang in there Momma! You can get through it!

I really liked Your Baby's First Year Week By Week, it's (mostly) not scary, includes games and activities for development, and is easy to read.

If you're looking for a gift that pertains to her pregnancy, get her some Preggie Pops for morning sickness & The Business of Being Born. If you're interested in getting her some books, I suggest Ina May's Guide to Childbirth and/or Pregnancy Childbirth & The Newborn. And maybe consider getting your brother(?) a copy of The Birth Partner. I think every dad-to-be should read that book.

We've so far gotten nearly 11 weeks of interest out of the Ikea wooden gym. I've been able to keep it interesting by moving the order of the toys around and hanging other toys from it (such as this Firefly), her Taggie Elephant, and these colorful links full of textures. Lately, our DD has taken to sucking on and throwing around an elephant lovey too, which I imagine will grow with her.

We have a tub, but Grandma's house has only showers. When my daughter was younger, she disliked the shower. Now (1.5 yrs), while she is dubious initially, once she's in she finds the spray from the detachable shower head very ticklish, and giggles through most of the shower! Maybe you can find a shower sprayer that's quieter and/or gentler? One thing I'd considered for Grandma's but never tried, was using an inflatable pool like this: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000I9RZOW/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_UEaWub0SH89D5

Hope that helps!

Mine LOVED the Lamaze toys: http://www.amazon.com/Lamaze-Play-Freddie-Firefly-Along/dp/B000I2Q0F4

A few things that worked for us. Take a bottle nipple, put a piece of tape over the hole. Fill the nipple with breast milk or formula and freeze it (we put them in shot glasses to keep them from tipping.) once frozen put on a bottle and you've got a great teether.
Freeze milk or formula in ice cube trays and use in one of these. http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000GK5XY2

Yeah, speaking as a co-sleeper, it only works if everybody involved is on the same page.

OP, we're starting to transition our LO to his own bed and I've been reading the No-Cry Sleep Solution. She has some good ideas for transitioning from co-sleeping to independent arrangements.

nosefredia for when baby has a stuffy nose and then the windi for when baby has gas. Now I know that both products seem.... gross but trust me they work.

This helped us transition from his baby tub to our big bathtub. We put it in the tub and filled just the duck. It didn't stop our son from standing, but it made it a little safer.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000066665/ref=redir_mdp_mobile

Insurance must cover the cost of A pump. Not necessarily an electric, double, or hospital grade one.

Like... in some cases, this would satisfy the insurance coverage requirement. It's quite sad.

Also, you're assuming her friend has insurance? Many people in the US still do not.

you have to get one of those inflatable tubs. i think the duck one is the most popular.
http://www.amazon.com/White-Hot-Safety-Duck-Version/dp/B000066665/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1421162950&sr=8-1&keywords=duck+tub

I really like this book:

http://www.amazon.com/Lifetimes-Beautiful-Explain-Death-Children/dp/0553344021/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1394049156&sr=8-1-fkmr0&keywords=the+beautiful+way+to+explain+death+o+children

It's non-religious. Talks about how everything that lives has a beginning, middle, and end. Plants, animals, humans, everything.

The bulbs can be tricky and it is possible to injure your kid if used improperly. The nosefrida really is much better.
http://www.amazon.com/NoseFrida-The-Snotsucker-Nasal-Aspirator/dp/B00171WXII

We used a blowup duck tub in the bathtub when my LOs were in that almost-sitting-unassisted phase. It helps them have something to lean on and it’s a good size. Not sure it was this exact one but similar.

duck tub

His book (http://www.amazon.com/dp/0743201639/ref=cm_sw_r_udp_awd_1mHStb1PH9BDK) has been updated and SPECIFICALLY says that his method isn't just leaving the kid to cry. There's scientific background to his methods- plural! There are several potential complications for kiddos- we had a few we didn't even know about.

OP, please PLEASE read the book! It's a quick read and will give you actual science and strategy. Not saying it's right for everyone, but if you're considering using it, read the book in full.

We loved Freddie. It was good for the baby, but stayed around for many months after we got it. Sometimes we still pull it out as a lovey (my kid is 22 months old), but it's not the favorite any more.

As has already been mentioned, do some reading so you're not going into it completely clueless. Our midwife recommended "Pregnancy, Childbirth, and the Newborn" - it's very informative, though exquisitely boring. Above all, trust that your body knows what it needs to do; you just need to learn techniques to keep your mind from getting int the way.

Here are some links for the product in the above comment for different countries:

Link: [http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/161519049X/ref=pd_aw_sims_1?pi=SY115


Also](http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/161519049X/ref=pd_aw_sims_1?pi=SY115


Also)

• UK: amazon.co.uk
  
• Spain: amazon.es
  
• France: amazon.fr
  
• Germany: amazon.de
  
• Japan: amazon.co.jp
  
• Canada: amazon.ca
  
• Italy: amazon.it
  
• China: amazon.cn
  
  
  This bot is currently in testing so let me know what you think by voting (or commenting).

Is it this one?

http://www.amazon.com/No-Cry-Sleep-Solution-Through-Foreword/dp/0071381392

http://www.amazon.com/Nosefrida-The-Snotsucker-Nasal-Aspirator/dp/B00171WXII

This will both ease your fears and give you something bigger to worry about: Protecting the Gift
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/0440509009

It's early, but some kids can do it at that age. I recommend the book Oh Crap! Potty Training by Jamie Glowacki.

I much prefer Ina May's Guide to Childbirth. But why not both :)

I'm sorry that you and your child had such stress. I am going to gently suggest that you are doing Cry It Out in the way popular culture seems to understand it? Leaving the baby to cry for long, long intervals (perhaps crying yourself?) Consider checking out [Ferber's Book] (http://www.amazon.com/Solve-Your-Childs-Sleep-Problems/dp/0743201639). The way it is described in the book is very gentle and easy. I grabbed mine from library.

You desperately need to teach your child to self sooth. It will not only be amazing for you, but also much healthier for your child.

The older your child is, the harder it will be to break those bad habits. It will not be easy but you really need to do it.

My wife and I used the Ferber Method and it took 2 terrible nights. By the 3rd night we had a self soothing infant who has slept perfectly through the night ever since.

Ferber Book

Buy this book off amazon, Read it, Follow it .... get your life back.

Did you read No Cry Sleep Solution? It's gospel around here. I'm reading it now. . .

I think not sugar-coating it is best. This age your son is able to understand things better than you might think. One other thing I would add to that the previous poster said, is tell him that it is okay to be sad, that you and his dad are sad, too. And that he will probably always be a little sad but the feeling will get easier after a while.

These are 3 books I have on hand. My daughter was very broken up when our dog died, and her Grandmother is failing in health as well:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0316404977/ref=oh_aui_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0553344021/ref=oh_aui_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0552567655/ref=oh_aui_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Eh. It may sound awful, but I let my kid bang her head. She's given herself black eyes and all kinds of mess but nothing serious. It's their way of dealing with frustration that they can't process, so I let her deal with it. She's almost 3 and still does it if we shut her bedroom door when she's being difficult at bedtime.

I would recommend reading Love and Logic. It really helped me survive those days and the days I'm in now. Tantrums WILL be a part of your life for a while, but you have to learn constructive ways to ignore and cope with them. Your reactions and actions 100% decide how the child responds to them.

http://smile.amazon.com/Love-Logic-Magic-Early-Childhood/dp/1930429002/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1409712768&sr=8-3&keywords=parenting+with+love+and+logic

My LO is the same age and was also waking up multiple times a night and would need us to rock her back to sleep or replace a pacifier. We were also rocking her to sleep at bedtime and for all naps. The broken sleep was not sustainable but we wanted to wait until she was at least 6 month before starting any kind of sleep training.

We knew we needed her to learn to self soothe so we decided to read Dr. Ferber's book. His method to break sleep associations, like being rocked to sleep, is often referred to as CIO but it really isn't and is not as bad as it sounds. You do let the baby cry but you go in to soothe them by patting, talking, etc, but don't pick them up. It sounded like the best option for us since we knew the pick up put down method would just frustrate and keep her up. We would do her bedtime routine (nurse, change, stories and rocking) and then put her down with her lovie but without the paci while she was still awake.

The first night we did 1 min crying, 1 min soothing, 3 min crying, 1 min soothing, 5 min crying 2 min soothing and then repeated the 5:2 pattern until she was asleep which took about 30 minutes. I felt ok letting her self soothe and cry a bit because we know her cries. We know what is her tired cry, her angry cry, her sad cry and her pain cry. For the most part she would just fuss and whine and occasionally escalate up to an angry cry. If she started to get quiet we would hold off going in for a minute since you do not want to interrupt when they are learning to soothe themselves. The next nights we did a 2 min: 1 min, 5 min: 2 min and 7 min: 2 min pattern and I don't think we even made it to the 7 min one.

It only took 3 nights and she was able to go down for naps and at bedtime with very little fussing. The only time she now gets upset is if we put her down way past her nap or bedtime. Then we just use the same basic pattern and usually only have to go in once. She does still wake up in the night and fuss sometimes for 1-2 min but will almost always fall back asleep on her own and if she doesn't then it's just me or SO going in for 10-30 secs to replace her lovie and make a few shushing sounds. I am still feeding her sometime between 3-5am, but am hoping to night wean in the next couple months.

Also, I've heard it repeated a lot that sleep training often has to be refreshed. Teething, travel, time changes all can cause regressions. I'm not sure how helpful all this will be but I wanted to share what worked for us. I think the key things in our case are her lovie, keeping the routine and sticking to the pattern. Good luck!

Edit: I also should have included that we don't have a super strict bedtime or naptimes. We watch for tired signs (fussing, eye rubbing, the usual) and then start her bedtime or naptime routine.