Our first topic is allowing your baby to "cry it out" to eliminate or reduce night wakenings. I, personally, was horrified when our sweet baby boy (first born) threw his fit in the crib, screaming at the top of his lungs. We tried to let him cry it out when he was 6 months old and 45 minutes after we started I was crying along with him and gave up. It wasn't until Preston was 18 months old that I finally gathered the courage to do what was necessary. I looked up all kinds of resources on the topic and here's what I found: Whether you are a mom that believes in letting your baby cry it out not, you can find a slew of moms who will back you up and encourage you in that way. After 18 months of not getting a solid night's sleep, I needed to hear from moms who would back me up and encourage me to let my child cry themselves to sleep. I wanted to know that there were other successful moms who allowed their baby to cry for a night or two or three and the end result was a whole night's sleep and a happily ever after ending. :)
When I took our baby (second born) to the doctor for her 6 month check up a couple of weeks ago I asked when we should allow her to cry it out. The doctor told me I should have done it 2 months ago! Four months old is when she recommended we let her "cry it out". I started working with Keely this week. At 18 months old Preston took 2 and a half hours to get to sleep and our 6 month Keely took just 45 minutes the first night. I am aware that each baby is different, but I am convinced now that earlier is better and the longer you wait the harder it is...especially if you wait until your baby is a toddler that talks and walks, and tries to reason with you. :) (some of you know what I am talking about) So, my first "works for me" is something I learned by not doing...start at 4 months old. Here are some other tips that worked for me:
1. Prepare yourself. Build up your courage and remind yourself that you are doing what is ultimately healthier for you and your youngin, even if it is hard for a couple of nights.
2. Bathe the baby, feed the baby, burp the baby and put him/ her in comfortable clothes so that you aren't wondering if the baby is crying out of a need.
3. Stay strong. It will pay off.
4. Go in and check on your baby after 5 minutes, 10 minutes, and then ever 15 minutes after that until your baby falls asleep. When you go in, gently remind the baby that is night night time and do your best to soothe the baby without picking him/her up.
4. Set a timer and get busy. Don't try to sleep while your baby is crying. You won't sleep and it will drive you crazy as you overanalyze every little whimper. Take this time to catch up on some cleaning. Set the timer and get 15 minutes of laundry or dishes done. Mop the floor for Pete's sake. :) You can catch up on your sleep soon enough.
Okay, your turn now. What worked for you? Leave us a comment and tell us what you have learned.
Comments (4)
Great question....great ideas!!!!
My pediatrician recommended letting the baby cry 5 min the first night, 10 min the second night, 15 min the 3rd...etc. it worked eventually.
We also have used this phrase over and over..."It is night night time, it is time for bed, you can get up when the sun gets up."
Posted by Courtney McClellan | September 24, 2008 3:32 PM
Posted on September 24, 2008 15:32
Some of the best advice I ever got while pregnant with our first was to remember that discipline starts from the moment you bring baby home from the hospital. Every time we moms jump up and tend to baby, that child learns early on when they are in control! Obviously the type of "discipline" for a young baby is going to be different than for a toddler or otherwise. The point is that even after we've ruled out every possibility for the reason behind the crying, there are just times when baby cries for the sake of crying. Our own doctor encouraged us to begin letting our girls "cry it out" when they were a few months old, reminding us that it was the best way to help them learn how to self-soothe. (I've even read that a certain amount of crying is beneficial for healthy lung development!)
Obviously, everyone needs to do what is best for their family. Isn't it great though, to hear what others have to say on the topic?
Posted by Kari | September 25, 2008 11:31 AM
Posted on September 25, 2008 11:31
I was so lucky that I didn't need to use CIO with my first and only child. I would have done it if needed - although it would have broken my heart. I agree with Kari about starting routines right off the bat. Unfortunately, no one told me that before Anna was born. I had to read it in a book that changed my "mommy life." I read the Baby Whisperer by Traci Hogg when Anna was 6 weeks old. I applied the principles I read and the next night (and nearly every night since), she slept through the night. I highly recommend that book to new or expecting moms. I also read Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy child by Dr. Weissbluth. It was a snore and I didn't fully agree with everything he wrote. However, I do think that sleep and routine are essential keys for our peaceful home.
Anna is 20 months old and has been a text-book sleeper the entire time... until I recently let her spend 2 nights alone at her grandparents' house. ARGGGGG! They ruined her! Bedtime was a nightmare for an entire week after she returned home. We're finally settled back into a no-tear routine, but she is a lot more opinionated about it. I blame her grandparents although I realize that she's probably going through a normal phase of independence (which I hate, of course) that just happened to coincide with her no-holds-barred stay with granny.
Good luck to anyone that isn't sleeping and needs to try something, anything, to find some much needed rest and peace.
Posted by Jan | October 2, 2008 3:28 PM
Posted on October 2, 2008 15:28
I am so glad I am over the crying it out stage. For anyone going through it now I'll just say that babies do learn how to fall asleep on their own if you let them. Ear plugs are good, and if you can sleep in the farthest room away from you baby while they are crying. It took Brandon 3 night of crying when we took his binky away then he was fine.
Posted by Melody | November 11, 2008 2:10 PM
Posted on November 11, 2008 14:10