Tracy Hogg's Baby Whisperer Routine - Is It Too Late for an 8 Wk Old?

Updated on December 19, 2009
M.M. asks from Round Rock, TX
20 answers

I bought the Secrets of the Baby Whisperer book in attempt to get my newborn on a better sleep/eat schedule. However, none of her tricks seem to work for my baby. He just wants to nurse himself to sleep and every night between 7pm - 10 pm he cries until I nurse him, then falls asleep for a few minutes, then awake again crying to nurse himself back to sleep. It is getting very frustrating because I cannot get anything else accomplished for 3 hrs.

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S.B.

answers from Corpus Christi on

I agree with the others that 8 weeks is too early to sleep train an infant. I breastfed both of my girls and it wasn't until they were at least 5 months old that we were able to do any sort of sleep training. Good luck!

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W.W.

answers from Houston on

Hi Melissa,
All babies are different. Right now he needs to be eating a lot and so it is going to be a long while until you can get him on a routine. He may have some infant reflux so it may be worth taking him to a doctor.
Good luck.

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J.T.

answers from Victoria on

The first three months were the hardest. Babies need to eat around the clock for blood sugar levels. I got my first full nights sleep once my son turned one.

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J.S.

answers from Houston on

8 weeks is too young for a baby to sleep train.

If he is falling asleep after a minute or two, you may need to undress him to his diaper and rub his little feet so he will eat enough to allow him to stay asleep longer in between the feedings.

If he nurses around 7 pm, try nursing him a little before 7 and see if he nurses for a longer period.

Sleep training books do not apply to breastfed babies (or in my opinion to any baby under a year). A baby doubles their birth weight by 6 months and triples it by a year. Their stomachs are as small as a walnut, so they need to eat frequently day and night. Most breastfed babies eat every 1.5 hours- 3hours and when they are going through a growth spurt it feels like they are nursing around the clock for a few days.

Sleep when your baby sleeps, go to bed earlier, if the baby is not already in your room, allow him to sleep close to you until he starts sleeping better..These are all options right now.

Good luck.

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R.P.

answers from Houston on

tell your pedi to take a flying leap and go buy that hungry baby some gerber rice cereal. get some baby cereal feeder bottles (they usually have an "X" cut in the end for cereal flow). check out the picture here http://cgi.ebay.com/infant-baby-solid-FOOD-cereal-FEEDER-... but i do NOT recommend buying from ebay. go directly to walmart or your grocery store to buy NEW. i recommend getting either the stage one rice cereal or get the dry cereal that you can mix your own breast milk into it. he's simply hungry and the thin liquid of milk, water and/or formula just is not enough. a little solid food will let him and you sleep. gerber brand rice cereal is usually the safest food to start him out on and the least likely to cause an allergic reaction. you want to only feed him a couple tablespoons at a time since he is so young.

i fed my oldest son at 2 weeks old and my younger son at 6 weeks old (when they showed signs that milk/formula was not enough) and today they are happy, healthy adults. the solid food will also help thicken his bowel movements so that diaper changes are not so runny.

i forgot to mention it before but i will now: babies are not machines that come with instruction manuals, so don't go out trying to find one! they DO NOT EXIST!!! and anyone that tries to tell you that "this book is great!" is f.o.s. like it has been mentioned before - no two babies are the same. not even identical twins. so don't go read a book and then think that you are a failure or that there is something wrong with YOUR baby just because he doesn't fit someone ELSE's experiences. god in all his wisdom made us each UNIQUE, so give your son UNIQUE expectations and attention.

mothers who play the comparison game often wind up hurting their children in the end. don't listen to mary tell you about how "her johnny is counting to 100 in THREE languages." your son is just as smart and as special in his own way. kindly congratulate her on his achievements then tell her about how YOUR son ran outside and picked you a clover flower. tell her about all the things your son has done that makes YOU happy and proud. and if she wants to get all snooty, find a REAL friend. you don't need HER approval.

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S.D.

answers from Austin on

I really think you should check with your pediatrician. The fact that this is happening during a specific time period in the evening and that he's not sleeping very long makes me think of acid reflux. It may be more than just sleeping habits and would be worth a phone call to the nurse at the very least just to make sure.

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L.B.

answers from Odessa on

I lived and breathed by Secrets of the Baby Whisperer with my first child. I applied it to my second (now five months). However, at three weeks we were having some really bad nights. A friend of mine had found peace with Babywise. She was having an extremely rough go of it. One of the tips I picked up in Baby Whisperer was single-sided breastfeeding. I started that the day I sent my husband out to get Babywise. My daughter started sleeping through the night that day. I attribute it to the single-sided breastfeeding giving her more hindmilk. I did have to start supplementing shortly after that, though. However, I do laugh and say Babywise worked so well, just buying the book got her sleeping through the night. I didn't end up reading it all, but it's got great scheduling info to it. I think your baby needs more calories to make it through the night. I also had to take my babies clothes off to keep her awake during feedings when she was real young. When she got a few weeks old, I would just open up her sleeper and let the air hit her chest.

Good luck and congrats!

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S.W.

answers from Houston on

Melissa: I know sleep is high on your priority list. I feel it just might be a little early to schedule your baby so strictly. This must just be your babies needy time. All 4 of mine were fussy at the exact same time. I would just dig in for the ride with a movie or tivo and be prepared to either nurse and just hold my little one, or to stand and "hop" walk as I called it. It doesn't last much longer than 3 months, so you are 2/3 there. At the end your little one will feel comforted and secure, and you will know you gave what was asked. That being said, I am a believer in sleep training starting at 4 mos. Good luck. The days of sleep will return!

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A.M.

answers from El Paso on

Don't know about that book but my pediatrician told me to pull away if my son starts falling asleep while nursing. Been doing it for a week and he wakes himself back up to finish. HTH

L.A.

answers from Austin on

I think it could still work on an 8 week old.. It is the binding that gives them comfort.. Also try placing his head up against the corner of the bassinet or the crib..

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S.W.

answers from Houston on

Forget the book. Forget a strict schedule. Nurse your baby to sleep. Follow your instinct. Most books do not consider when your baby is going through a growth spurt. For example, your baby will nurse more often the week before it actually goes through his growth spurt to get your milk supply to increase. And then the following week when it actually is having a growth spurt, your body will be supplying enough milk to meet his demand. Relax, and enjoy this time with your baby. Your baby does not have the cognitive ability to be manipulative. And your baby will stop crying sooner and you will get more sleep if you respond to your baby's needs. It is not healthy for your baby to cry for extended periods of time (increases cortisone levels). Read a more realistic book called Attachment from the Heart. Good Luck, Mama!

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L.B.

answers from Austin on

Tracy,
I bought the DVDs from Priscilla Dunstan that you can find at www.dunstanbaby.com. There are 5 words that Priscilla says are universal and your baby is not too old for you to learn what they mean. If you google Priscilla, you can watch her interview wtih Oprah.
I wish you well.

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O.S.

answers from Killeen on

It isn't too late to retry the suggestions in the book. I know how exhausting it can be nurse for what seems like hours on end, continuously. As someone else said, 8 weeks is a little young to remove night feeds. Babies do most of their growing and eating during the night. If your 5 year old is in school, napping during the day might be a great way to keep up your sleep.

I know it is frustrating, but try to make that 7-10pm time relaxing. Settle into a comfy chair and concentrate on what you are getting accomplished--providing nourishment that will get your baby off to the best start! Throw a load of laundry in before you hop in bed and it will be washed in the morn and you can toss it in the dryer then!

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K.P.

answers from Houston on

I loved the book and tried the method but couldn't get my baby to follow it. I was very depressed and thought I wasn't a good mother. I finally tried a pacifier. What I learned is my baby loves to suck and sucking helps him sleep. I had to find the right pacifier and went through about 5 before finding the one that worked for him. My son is now 1 and for the most part sleeping through the night.

Read the books, try the method but if it doesn't work for you it isn't you. Every baby is different. Keep trying different methods until you find one that works for you.

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K.L.

answers from Seattle on

this is a portion of an article written on whattoexpect.com. Link at bottom.

"It’s inherently unfair, but all too common. Just when you’re finally getting the hang of a somewhat reasonable breastfeeding schedule, your newborn suddenly changes course and begins eating every hour. And even when he’s done, he still acts like he’s ready to hit the drive-through at McDonald’s, making you wonder if your baby’s getting enough milk. But relax; he’s not starving (even though he’s acting like it). He’s just hit his first baby growth spurt — the first of about five he’ll have during the first year. One of your baby’s most important jobs this year is to grow bigger, and he’ll probably triple his body weight by the time he’s 12 months. Surprisingly, though, a lot of that growth happens in short, intense bursts. (So it’s not your imagination — your baby really did outgrow all his newborn outfits overnight!)

Although growth spurts can happen anytime during the first year, your baby will most likely have his initial spurt between one and three weeks; and another between six and eight weeks. After that, you can expect more at three months, six months, and nine months. The good news: A baby's growth spurts usually last only a couple days, so your baby (and your life) should get back to normal soon."

http://www.whattoexpect.com/first-year/ask-heidi/baby-gro...

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V.B.

answers from Houston on

As with anything else, you should use the guidelines presented in the book (such as feed them when they wake up, let them play for awhile and then let them sleep) as just that, guidelines. If you baby wants to eat to go to sleep or if it has been a couple of hours since the last feeding, then let him nurse. I think they usually have a growth spurt around that age, so he may really be hungry. I agree with one of the other posters. Try a pacifier. I was lucky with my daughter because she was just an easy baby and slept well almost from the start. My son, on the other hand, was a challenge and still isn't the best sleeper. They are all different, so don't get discouraged. Just try to stick to a rotating schedule of eating, being awake and then sleeping and if you have to rock or put baby in a swing, etc. for sleeping at naptime during the first few months, that's okay. I agree that the training starts to work better around 4 months old, although I wouldn't wait too much longer than that to start. He's still pretty young and needs lots of attention even though it's exhausting when you have another one to care for too! No more sleeping when the baby is sleeping. You'll make it, mama! I promise!

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A.C.

answers from San Antonio on

So confusing and exhausting right? Your not alone! With my kids I used Dr. Weissbluth's Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child. It worked great for me. He says taht babies are not developmentally ready to "sleep train" until 4-5 months of age. My oldest was almost 6mo and my second was 4 mo. I did let my oldest cry it out, but it only took a couple of days. There are different methods in the book, you just have to pick what works for you and stick with it. My second child did not have to cry it out since I knew all the signs to look for when sleepy, hungry, etc. Good luck!

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H.H.

answers from Houston on

He's stil a newborn. I think it's totally unrealistic to expect a newborn - especially a breastfed newborn - to sleep through the night or be on any kind of schedule. There is nothing wrong with nursing to sleep at this age. There's a reason why pacifiers and bottles are shaped similarly to the female nipple - it's comforting. You can break the habit later if you choose, but there's nothing wrong with it right now. If he's crying until you nurse him, he's telling you he needs to eat.

I would suggest Dr Harvey Karp's Happiest Baby on the Block and the 5 Ss. Swaddling can work wonders for your baby!

Don't worry about scheduling, sleeping through the night, nor limiting breastfeeding sessions at this age. It is unrealistic and doesn't promote a great breastfeeding relationship. If you want to continue breastfeeding, know that feeding on demand is the best way to accomplish this. And he could be going through a growth spurt right now, where he needs to eat to make your supply match his need.

This shall pass and you will be able to sleep soon enough. But at 8 weeks old I think your baby is too YOUNG for the "Baby Whisperer". Try Dr. Karp instead. He has a better understanding of babies and their needs, IMO, and once you read about the 4th trimester, you'll understand your 8 week old better than you ever thought possible.

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L.W.

answers from Austin on

I haven't heard about this book, so I'll check in later to hear some other responses.
I've done your routine for several of our children and it is tiring. Does help with child spacing to nurse that often (every 2 hours) and I did make sure to get a nap every afternoon. 8 weeks is a little young to skip night feedings unless baby is doing it on his own. I usually moved baby after the first or second night feeding to his bed and then let baby sleep next to me after the early morning feeding until it was time to get up in the morning...got a little more sleep that way.
Feedings will get further apart in time and in a few months with solid food introduction (I always hated this transition because bm's started stinking more) night time feedings will eventually be a thing of the past. I look forward to finding out more about this technique...don't have any little, little ones left, but it just sounds interesting.

After reading other responses:
Oh, does this involve swaddling? that seemed to really help mine...you might find a midwife to show you how...
Totally agree with single side nursing and switching to the other side on the next feeding. If you can nurse for a longer amount of time. Baby will get more of the good fatty hind milk (so important for brain development!) and be satisfied for a longer amount of time. This might help with the wakefulness.

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M.G.

answers from San Antonio on

My baby is 20 weeks old and is not happy with any type of parent-led schedule. Some babies just want to lead themselves. I did Baby Wise with my 1st and it worked out for her. She was sleeping through the night 8-9 hours at 8 weeks. My 20 week old is only sleeping usually 4 hours through. Sometime he eats every hour overnight. YES, every hour for 4-6 straight hours. We ended up co-sleeping for this reason. I just roll over and he latches on when he needs to. Helps me to sleep a little more. I too have a baby that wants to nurse to sleep. We have tried the paci and it works every now and then pretending like we are nursing him with the paci, but not always. Some babies just need that closeness more than others. Every baby is different.
Just remember those 3 hours everynight you are sitting down with him holding him nursing him can never be replaced when he gets older. That's what I keep telling myself!

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