Sleep Training

My DD will be 4 mos. in two weeks so we start then. Have read that a baby's personality can determine which method best for them..true? It is true that once they hit 12 or 13 pounds they don't need food overnight?

Considering Ferber or straight up CIO? CIO...quicker ...more effective? Not sure if I could listen to her cry that long although my supportive hubby could get us through. But ...if Ferber is highly effective..a gentler method may be nicer for her?

My dd goes to bed at  730-8..(give her a larger feeding but that doesn't seem to keep her sleeping any longer?)...usually wakes at 1 or 2......then 4 or 5 (will go back to sleep until 9).  Often time for naps and nightime we can put her down drowsy (not comatose) and she will suck her fingers until she falls asleep.  I feel the last wake up  (although too early still) she is usually hungry but the first time it's questionable...have tried the paci trick during that first time but she doesn't like the paci anymore and is obviously accustomed to getting fed then..

Any advise..thoughts.....opinions appreciated!

i would ask your pedi about her weight if he's ok with her not going with a feed but typically, most 4mos baby still need to eat at night, esp if they're BF. there are some babies who, once they learn how to put themselves to sleep just sleep right through and don't wake up to eat but there are some who still wake around the same time they normally do to eat so if that's the case with your baby, you need to feed her because she is probably hungry. unfortunately i don't have any advice re: night feeds because DD was not much of a night eater despite our efforts of trying so hopefully someone who is experienced w/ST and night feeds can chime in.

having said that, extinction is overall the quickest method however, the hardest because you basically have to let your baby CIO. the ST method you choose is really what you're comfortable with so i suggest reviewing the sleep training faq in the sleep resources section of this folder and select a method you are comfortable with and can stick to for at least 2-3weeks. it's very hard but as long as you're consistent, it does work - consistency is the key to success regardless of the method you decide to use.

if she normally sucks her fingers to go to sleep, i think she will be ok with ST and self=soothing. it took a while for my DD to find her thumb (we ST at 3.5mos) but if your DD is already sucking her fingers, then that is a good thing for you!

i would also put your baby to sleep earlier for the night when you begin ST. i think i put my DD to bed at 6pm the night we started (she was going to bed around 7pm before ST) - i was told that she would need the extra crib time because they'll be in an overtired state for a while until their sort out their sleep and become better at self soothing so the earlier bedtime the better.

GL and HTH!