Crying it out

[HappyMOM]

This worked for me.

I would comfort my daughter as much as she needed until she was 1 year old. Yes, it was exhausting, but I feel like we are closer because of it. Once she turned 1, I started giving her time to work her frustrations out on her own. Giving her a little more time to her self each time. She's 1 1/2 now and never cries (unless she hurts herself). She falls asleep on her own for naps and bedtime. I feel that we have a close relationship because I was there to help her through when she was too little to do it for herself. Think about it this way, if you're only way to communicate was to cry and no one responded, how would that make you feel? It's ok for a baby to just want to be cuddled. Babies are cuddled inside the womb from the time they are conceived. Then they are pushed out into the cold world and just want to be comforted. Think of all the great memories you'll have and you'll never say to yourself that you should have held your baby more when you had the chance. They're only little once.

This worked for me, but go with what you feel is right in your heart. You'll know the answer that is right for you.

[~mellabella~]

It depends on the cry. If its the Im spoiled and just want my way cry, then yeah. He cries it out to a certain extent. If he's sick...then no.

[Speedy70]

I'd just like to say that crying it out SUCKS.

[RoseRed (Premo)]

Originally Posted by Speedy70

I'd just like to say that crying it out SUCKS.

It WILL get better. Let me tell you what worked for me...

Bug slept downstairs in the living room (off our bedroom) for the first 4 months. I couldn't have her sleep in my room because every small sound she made woke me up.

Once she turned 4 months, she started sleeping in her crib in her room upstairs. She would be fed and have her bath. Then we would go upstairs and I would turn on a CD that I bought on Amazon, Celtic Lullabies, and rock her in the rocker until she fell out. Down to bed she went and the rest of the CD played on... If and when she did wake up, I rubbed her back or picked her up as needed. It didn't take long.

She is now 8 1/2 years old and that very same CD just ended. (We got home quite late after dance and a movie tonight).

BTW... she is still on the same 7pm bedtime schedule during school nights.

[Speedy70]

Originally Posted by RoseRed

It WILL get better. Let me tell you what worked for me...

Bug slept downstairs in the living room (off our bedroom) for the first 4 months. I couldn't have her sleep in my room because every small sound she made woke me up.

Once she turned 4 months, she started sleeping in her crib in her room upstairs. She would be fed and have her bath. Then we would go upstairs and I would turn on a CD that I bought on Amazon, Celtic Lullabies, and rock her in the rocker until she fell out. Down to bed she went and the rest of the CD played on... If and when she did wake up, I rubbed her back or picked her up as needed. It didn't take long.

She is now 8 1/2 years old and that very same CD just ended. (We got home quite late after dance and a movie tonight).

BTW... she is still on the same 7pm bedtime schedule during school nights.

We're trying to break his sleep associations. He is 5 months old and was STILL being swaddled. It was the only way he'd sleep through the night - that and me getting up several times a night to pop the paci back in his mouth. This is also the first night he's slept upstairs in his crib.

We're on night #1 of the Ferber method. He has to learn to put himself to sleep. Hearing him cry like that is insanely hard. I wanted to pick him up so bad, but that would defeat the purpose.

It's going to be a long night.

[RoseRed (Premo)]

Originally Posted by Speedy70

We're trying to break his sleep associations. He is 5 months old and was STILL being swaddled. It was the only way he'd sleep through the night - that and me getting up several times a night to pop the paci back in his mouth. This is also the first night he's slept upstairs in his crib.

We're on night #1 of the Ferber method. He has to learn to put himself to sleep. Hearing him cry like that is insanely hard. I wanted to pick him up so bad, but that would defeat the purpose.

It's going to be a long night.

Have you tried propping him on his side, just not so much that he falls on his face? Soothing music?

[Speedy70]

Originally Posted by RoseRed

Have you tried propping him on his side, just not so much that he falls on his face? Soothing music?

He's used to a white noise machine, but that is another sleep association. Getting him to nap is a nightmare. I have to have on the white noise, pacifier, swaddle, and sing to him. Even then it's a 50/50 chance that he'll go to sleep. I'd like to be able to put him down and have him put himself to sleep (self soothe).

I'm afraid of propping him on his side.

[RoseRed (Premo)]

Originally Posted by Speedy70

He's used to a white noise machine, but that is another sleep association. Getting him to nap is a nightmare. I have to have on the white noise, pacifier, swaddle, and sing to him. Even then it's a 50/50 chance that he'll go to sleep. I'd like to be able to put him down and have him put himself to sleep (self soothe).

I'm afraid of propping him on his side.

I propped her with a wedge that was made for babies. Can't tell you the name because I no longer have it.

She has one of these (I can't find the box) celtic twilight lullabies - Google Product Search

And she also likes this... Google Music: Raffi

Maybe it is babyish to others, but ya know, if it works for your child, so be it...

[sugarmama]

Originally Posted by Speedy70

We're trying to break his sleep associations. He is 5 months old and was STILL being swaddled. It was the only way he'd sleep through the night - that and me getting up several times a night to pop the paci back in his mouth. This is also the first night he's slept upstairs in his crib.

We're on night #1 of the Ferber method. He has to learn to put himself to sleep. Hearing him cry like that is insanely hard. I wanted to pick him up so bad, but that would defeat the purpose.

It's going to be a long night.

The Ferber method worked for us. My daughter was 8 weeks when i started it. I started it during the day for her naps, and by that night, she was in her crib sleeping 8 hrs. She now puts herself to sleep (she's 3 months old now) for naps and nighttime, and sleeps from 7pm--8am . It is SO WORTH IT. it is hard, but just be consistent and stick with it.

[nicole_M]

Speedy, we did the Ferber method with our twins...I want to say by the time they were 4 months old (out of the every 3 hour routine) they were sleeping through the night.

They are 3 now and still are wonderful sleepers.

Our first son...Well every little squeak he made I jumped up and rocked him back to sleep...He still wasn't sleeping through the night at almost 2. And I had newborn twins, so I knew I had to do it differently with them .

I hope it is easy for your little one...It will really pay off. Good luck!!!