For the past week, we've done CIO (cry it out) with DJ. The ONLY reason why I've resorted to this was because I've been noticing that my son will AVOID naps and bedtimes by resorting to bouncing off every wall in the house until he crashes and burns. I'm telling you this kid will wake up at 7 and will go until 7pm if I allowed him.
I would get him to sleep and he's fine if 'm holding him but, the minute I motion towards the CRIB all hell breaks loose! I have to admit there are some days I would just HOLD him just to make sure he slept for at least an 1/2 hour.
Well.....this brings me to the current situation.
I have heard a million and one ways on how to get your kid to sleep, do this do that. You're a bad mom cuz your kid doesn't nap, I especially love the moms who would rub it in that their kids sleep from 6-6, 8-8, or whatever other type of areukiddingme type of schedule that only I could WISH for.
All the while, I say really? wow, that's awesome (inside my mind i'm saying: (BITCH)..Yeah I said it. LOL
ok....here we go:
The first few days were HORRIBLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
dinner, playtime, bathtime, read a book, soothing music cd, dim the lights, all the while announcing it's sleepy time. My son was no fool I tell you. He would be fine until I move towards the crib and yes you guessed it, he threw a fit!!!
Of course my husband and daughter were like, he'll be OK. Comforting me all the while I'm crying more than my son was. I would turn the monitor up/down/up/down all the while crying hysterically because I kept thinking people can hear my baby through the monitor airwaves. You know people can pick up your monitor at their houses right??
The first day he cried for an hour! The longest and hardest moment I've experienced with my baby. The hour lasted for a lifetime!!!!!!
The second day he cried for 1/2 hour! Oh my goodness is he really sleeping after all that? Go check on him, I think he smothered himself! Oh my GOD his leg is caught between the crib poles! Lawd Help me!!!!!!
The third day he cried for 15 minutes!!-Is he breathing? He's cold, cover him up! OH my Lawd I'm going to lose it!!!!
The fourth day......This is what happened after 5 minutes of crying.
Notice how it looks as if he was trying to escape through the bumper pad and lost his energy! My poor baby. Awww...
The only thing I can say, I felt like the worse mommy in the world for letting my son CRY without me coming in to save him. It was soooo hard and I'm crying just thinking of it now. I know that he really needs to nap and he needs to sleep. He really needs to sleep in his own bed (don't go there)......But....lemme tell you, I really feel like he REALLY needs this sleep time and he's probably going to hate me and be scarred because of this.
I know he'll be ok I just have to keep telling myself this to believe it. Aww.......
This brings me to the following question: Do you practice CIO (cry it out) or what works for you and your family? What type of schedules are you on? What kind of advice can you give?
I need a hug.
13 comments:
Here's a {{HUG}}.
I think every mom hates to have her baby cry. It makes us feel like bad parents and guilty. If it didn't there would be a lot of newborns that wouldn't get feed in lou of sleep. It is just being a mommy!
I am glad that he is getting over it!
more {{HUGS}}
HUGS**** HUGS**** HUGS***
I think this is hard for everyone. I had the same problem. Sounds to me though like crying it out is working the way it should since DJ fell asleep after 5 minutes on the 3rd day.
Hang in there Mama.
We did the same thing with Alexis and you're right it's tough, but trust me it's for the best. And he won't be scarred or hate you. He'll be much more laid back and your life will be much easier. :)
And here's a {HUG} just for you! Hang in there!
We didn't have a lot of problems and now I can't remember which child was the squeaky wheel about nap or bedtime.
I made sure everything was okay, gave hugs and kisses,(or whatever bedtime routine), turned around and left.
In the beginning I checked back once to make sure nothing was wrong and then left again.
My experience was much like yours. A few nights, a little less crying each night, and asleep.
I wouldn't do it with a small baby (although others do - their choice) but when it's just a question of who's the boss, it's mommy (or granny) every time.
If we do it early, we may never have to do it again.
((((((HUGS))))))
I never could handle CIO. The only way I got my boys to nap is to let them nap in Mommy and Daddy's bed with music (they sleep to smooth jazz hehe). Half of the time the baby still takes naps in his swing though, I don't know what I'm going to do when he's too heavy for it and refuses to lay down.
oh i'm sorry! you did good!
my now 6 yr old would fall asleep STANDING UP in his crib, after three hours of crying. but we had to. we'd done everything else. he was sleeping less than 2 hours out of every 24 hours!
we got the book 'healthy sleep habits, happy child.' LOVED it. That book will be like a hug, girl.
Loads and loads of hugs for you. I could never do that. I can feel your pain
(((((Tanyetta))))))
I really feel for you. My first child slept with me until he was 4. I was a single mum so it made no odds. I tried CIO when he was about 9/10 months old and it distressed us both so much that I never did it again. I had no support though. It was just me and him and I had to sit and listen to him cry.
My 3rd, Sylvie is a dream. (apologies for being a bitch) she does sleep 12hours a night and has a 2hr nap in the day. BUT i deserved a good sleeper after 2 crap ones. I have been on both sides of the fence and I totally appreciate how you are feeling. I think if you start CIO you must continue with it and be strong. To go through all that and then give in or give up is just confusing for the child dont you think? It looks like your little man has adapted just great. He will thrive from the extra sleep. You are a fab mummy! Dont be so hard on yourself x
((((((((HUGS)))))))))) from me too! I am on the verge of doing CIO with my son as well because although I am happy co-cleeping, someone is a little bit too dependant on the boob to get to sleep and I have tried less drastic measures and nothing is working so CIO is next on my list! It is good to hear that painful though it might be for us, it does work! ;-)
I know it can be so hard. So I feel for you. We strated cry it out back when Gavin was around 9 months old. When he was months old he started sleeping through the night off an on. So I knew he had it in him.
Gavin a great sleeper now. Although lately he is a crappy napper. He sits in his bed and plays for an hour before he falls asleep. Sometimes he'll whine and cry. But I know he needs that nap or I can't deal with him at night HA.
Just hang in there. If CIO isn't comfortable for you try something else. There are so many "help" books out there. Ones gotta work for you.
Take Care!
I didn't. I won't. I read to my daughter and have quiet wind-down time before bed. When she was a baby, I rocked her quite often, even to sleep. NEver had any bedtime trouble & today she goes to sleep in her toddler bed no problems. I think whatever works for you, do it.
HUGS!!
I've used CIO too on both of my kids. Out of pure desperation! Yes, it sucks. Yes, it breaks your heart. But it works. Consistency is the KEY my friend.
And neither my 4 year old son nor my 10 month old daughter have any ill affects. THANK GOD.
Here's a Hug My Love :O).....I can't take it to hear a baby cry either but Sweetie, your doing a great thing. It's very important because it's a part of self soothing and they need that, and you know what......Mommies need it to. :O)
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