https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Fri, 22 May 2026 08:36:00 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-finally-caved#post-260093 Wed, 15 Aug 2012 19:40:45 +0000 Mrs. Pen 260093@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>::UPDATE::</p> <p>Night 2. I had more of a routine tonight; bath, lotion, song, pjs and nursing session. He got very drowsy from nursing, so I gave him his pacifier once I laid him down and left. He went right to sleep! There was no CIO at all.</p> <p>However, it's been about an hour and it looks like he's waking up... which has been our problem. He'll fall asleep, but not stay asleep. So we may have some tears tonight anyhow :( </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-finally-caved#post-259757 Wed, 15 Aug 2012 14:59:26 +0000 Mrs. Pen 259757@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@sorrycharlie: naps aren't going so well today though :( and he used to be a superb napper. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-finally-caved#post-259735 Wed, 15 Aug 2012 14:51:43 +0000 erwoo 259735@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yay for more sleep for everyone! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-finally-caved#post-259731 Wed, 15 Aug 2012 14:50:42 +0000 sorrycharlie 259731@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Coco Bee: that's great! if he did that well the first night, imagine how good tonight will be, especially now that you know he loves his hands! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-finally-caved#post-259300 Wed, 15 Aug 2012 11:23:08 +0000 pastemoo 259300@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Coco Bee: YAY! THat is awesome!<br /> CIO is necessary for some--no judgement here. I'm pretty sure I learned to sleep with CIO (and my LO is too young for it, but I have no position on it).<br /> As his momma, you know better than others mommas what is right for your LO--and hey, he slept better last night. Worth it/ :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-finally-caved#post-259201 Wed, 15 Aug 2012 10:16:49 +0000 purrpletulips 259201@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>You are not a bad mom. We did CIO and while hard I am glad in the long run we did. I do feel your pain because my 28m DD has begun fighting going to sleep at night but then we have a lot of changes in our house (moved to big girl bed about 3m ago, moved to new room this weekend along with return of the crib since I'm due in about 4 1/2 w) so I'm hopeful it is just a phase.</p> <p>You will both get through this. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-finally-caved#post-259189 Wed, 15 Aug 2012 10:09:17 +0000 RLCeigh 259189@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Hang in there!! It's so hard but it works.<br /> What helped me was journaling the whole CIO process-- we recorded everything from the time he went to bed, what was the routine that night, to check-ins (and some really funny entries and what I ate while I tried not to cave because it is so hard to hear your baby crying). It really helps to see the progress you are making each night. We started when my baby was just over 4 months (I was bfing too so I did wake him to eat at least once in the night). He just turned a year and once in awhile, after a trip or sickness-- we still bring out the journal and go back to what works. He needs to remember that he knows how to put himself to sleep. It really works for us!<br /> We give him tons of praise in the morning and I know that consistancy is key.<br /> Good luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-finally-caved#post-259177 Wed, 15 Aug 2012 10:00:28 +0000 mrbee 259177@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Coco Bee: Wow, that's amazing!!! Congrats!!!!!!!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-finally-caved#post-259168 Wed, 15 Aug 2012 09:54:07 +0000 Mrs. Pen 259168@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@erwoo: Yes I learned that golden rule early on! He sometimes cries in his sleep, so I wait a few minutes anyhow.</p> <p>@mrbee: @sorrycharlie: He did incredible... I was so surprised. So he finally fell asleep at 8:40 on his own. He woke up at 2:20 to eat, I nursed for about 15 minutes, and while he was still awake put him in his crib and left. He was asleep in 5 minutes! Was up for the day at 7:15!</p> <p>Not quite 12 hours but that is a HUGE improvement from 6-8 hours! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-finally-caved#post-259126 Wed, 15 Aug 2012 09:03:35 +0000 erwoo 259126@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>:(((( I feel your pain. It was sooo hard hearing my oldest cry when I did CIO at 5.5 months. Took him about two weeks (I know, sounds like eternity!) but it was the best thing I ever did. He's been an awesome sleeper ever since. He even wakes up and plays in his crib until I go and get him, even at 3-years-old. And it's great you have a video monitor so you can see what he's doing. After he was sleep trained my husband and I do a great job in not going in right away when he cries, even now. Because when we do we can't get out and he won't go back to sleep. Most times he'll cry for a minute or so (again, feels like eternity) and then settle back down on his own.</p> <p>Hang in there! You can do it! :D </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-finally-caved#post-259063 Wed, 15 Aug 2012 08:18:10 +0000 Clementine 259063@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I totally went through this a couple of weeks ago and you are doing the best thing ever for both you and more importantly him. Today will get better. You are an awesome, Mom!!!!!!!!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-finally-caved#post-258993 Wed, 15 Aug 2012 07:01:34 +0000 sorrycharlie 258993@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Coco Bee: good job mama! The pics are so sweet. How'd he do? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-finally-caved#post-258990 Wed, 15 Aug 2012 06:57:13 +0000 mrbee 258990@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Coco Bee: how did it go??? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-finally-caved#post-258975 Wed, 15 Aug 2012 06:22:14 +0000 Sammyfab 258975@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>You are definitely not a bad mom for teaching your lo healthy sleep habits so he can get the sleep he needs. Sleep is as important for their development as food and snuggles! :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-finally-caved#post-258965 Wed, 15 Aug 2012 05:32:48 +0000 BabyBoecksMom 258965@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Coco Bee: I'm in the same boat as you. DD was waking every 2 hours for the past 2 months. I've been so exhausted that Ive been taking naps on my pump breaks just to try to get enough sleep to make it through the next sleepless night. We started sleep training on Friday and there has been a huge improvement already. It absolutely killed me to hear her cry but she is able to soothe herself to sleep almost all night. It sounds like C is getting the hang of it. Hang in there!!!</p> <p>(We used the "Sleep Lady Shuffle" as our CIO method) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-finally-caved#post-258930 Wed, 15 Aug 2012 02:20:37 +0000 Boogs 258930@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Don't feel bad! CIO had to be done with my LO and it made us al soooo much happier! It took a couple of painful days before he didn't cry so much, but it was worth it in the end. Also, I couldn't go in and pat or touch him, it would make it more angry and it was like we started from square one. Hope things get better for you! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-finally-caved#post-258913 Wed, 15 Aug 2012 00:20:02 +0000 HLK208 258913@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>You aren't a bad mom!!! Sleep is important for the both of you. It may only take a few nights of CIO, then he will learn and you both will be happier. It's so hard, I know. I started at 9 months with DS (now I've learned that it's the wrong time though) and I felt awful but after 3 nights, he finally got to sleep by himself. I said I would never do it either but he had sleep patterns like your son does. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-finally-caved#post-258843 Tue, 14 Aug 2012 22:05:05 +0000 Mrs. Pen 258843@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. High Heels: that's what everyone on HB says and so I'm holding onto hope that it will be worth it. He is sleeping right now, and he hasn't slept longer than half an hour before midnight in months so even this is an improvement! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-finally-caved#post-258840 Tue, 14 Aug 2012 22:03:27 +0000 Mrs. High Heels 258840@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>you're not a bad mom at all!!! you're doing what you think is best for your baby, and right now the best thing is for him to be able to sleep well!! and for you to sleep well so you can have the energy to give your heart out to him throughout the day.</p> <p>we did CIO too, and i swear it was harder on me than it was on him. those first few nights, i cried when she cried!! but honestly, now that she is 19-months and an AMAZING sleeper, i have no regrets. it is one of THE BEST decisions we could've made for our family. hang in there - i've been there and made it out on the other side. there is a light at the end of the tunnel!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-finally-caved#post-258832 Tue, 14 Aug 2012 21:49:26 +0000 Mrs. Pen 258832@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrs. wagon: lol I didn't even have the monitor on! I was in the office that is the room right next to his room! so I heard it all :(<br /> @Mrs. Stroller: lol I know!! we need to find better placement for our monitor, I can't see his face. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-finally-caved#post-258823 Tue, 14 Aug 2012 21:41:20 +0000 Mrs. Sunglasses 258823@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Aw!!! you aren't a bad mom. Stop it. Sometimes we just gotta do what we gotta do. Whether you were against it or not. I'm just glad its going well. Lets hope he will keep it up </p> <p>Mavi was sleeped trained with CIO after 4 days. (at 4 months) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-finally-caved#post-258820 Tue, 14 Aug 2012 21:39:02 +0000 mrs. wagon 258820@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Listening to them cry has to be the most heartbreaking thing ever. But you are doing what's best for him right now... He has to learn how to go to sleep on his own at some point, and the sooner the better. His sleep will improve and he will be so much happier and healthier as soon as he figures it out. Hugs to you as you listen... Try to turn off the sound on your monitor and distract yourself as best as possible! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-finally-caved#post-258817 Tue, 14 Aug 2012 21:35:19 +0000 Mrs. Stroller 258817@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Awwwww, he's so sweet. I love monitor photos. I have a gazillion :)</p> <p>It sounds (and looks) like he was ready. And I definitely don't think it's been "all this time." Tonight was the night! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-finally-caved#post-258793 Tue, 14 Aug 2012 21:09:01 +0000 Mrs. Pen 258793@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p> [attach=1597/12/m8rxz2.320x420.cobisleeping] https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-finally-caved#post-258790 Tue, 14 Aug 2012 21:07:15 +0000 Mrs. Pen 258790@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Stroller: seriously the similarities between our two boys astound me. Every time I read your posts I think of how much they are alike. I think they look alike too (DH agrees!).</p> <p>I have had my eye on those A&amp;A loveys, I may have to splurge and get them!! I could never cut his A&amp;A blankets either!!! Yup, I'm nursing, I will get one and try that..</p> <p>yeah this is seriously crazy, he is on side asleep with his hands in his mouth. The second I unswaddled him he calmed down.</p> <p>I would hate to think that this whole time he would have self-soothed... good grief!!</p> <p>Yup - he has his paci in his crib!<br /> this is him right now: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-finally-caved#post-258778 Tue, 14 Aug 2012 20:52:44 +0000 Mrs. Stroller 258778@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Coco Bee: Yes it was 5.5 months and he just took to it one night. I tried every 2 weeks and would give him an hour or two to fall asleep before I'd go in and re-swaddle him. (It coincided with DH's trips, otherwise I would have tried it weekly.)</p> <p>From what you describe, it sounds like he might be ready to do without the swaddle. M kind of did the same thing that first night. He rolled to his side and just kind of soothed himself. A lot of his CIO was fussing it out, but some was hard-core crying. </p> <p>A&amp;A makes loveys that are like their swaddle blankets only smaller, maybe you could try one of those? Or cut one of the blankets in quarters (I don't think I could bring myself to cut one!)</p> <p>I can't remember, are you nursing? I introduced the lovey to M by having him hold it when we nursed so that he'd associate it with soothing. Maybe you could do the same with your little guy? If not when nursing, then when feeding the bottle or rocking, etc.</p> <p>Now that he's in there without a swaddle, throw a few pacis in the crib. I was SHOCKED when Maddox reached out and grabbed one for the first time. </p> <p>Good luck, I really hope it all comes together for your little guy quickly! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-finally-caved#post-258764 Tue, 14 Aug 2012 20:42:48 +0000 Mrs. Pen 258764@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrbee: I had thought that may have been it, and tried putting him to sleep earlier, or waiting only an hour after his last nap for bedtime, but he wouldn't go to sleep until at least two hours after he woke up.</p> <p>Honestly, my baby has been the exception to EVERY rule out there. When he doesn't get enough sleep - he is still the happiest baby in the world. It is so bizarre. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-finally-caved#post-258757 Tue, 14 Aug 2012 20:39:52 +0000 mrbee 258757@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Coco Bee: Does he show signs of being overtired? That could be causing him to be overstimulated and cause some of his problems falling asleep at night!</p> <p><a href="http://www.hellobee.com/2012/01/12/things-i-didnt-know-about-baby-sleep/" rel="nofollow">http://www.hellobee.com/2012/01/12/things-i-didnt-know-about-baby-sleep/</a></p> <p><a href="http://www.hellobee.com/2012/01/18/2-tips-to-help-your-baby-sleep-better/" rel="nofollow">http://www.hellobee.com/2012/01/18/2-tips-to-help-your-baby-sleep-better/</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-finally-caved#post-258755 Tue, 14 Aug 2012 20:39:00 +0000 Mrs. Pen 258755@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Stroller: you stopped swaddling Maddox around 6 months, right?!<br /> I have been wanting to. Well, I just went in there, and he was so mad he kicked himself into the corner of his crib and I think he hit his head. I unswaddled him, put a sleeper on him and immediately he stopped crying and put his fingers in his mouth.</p> <p>He's in there right now just kinda fussing, but not crying NEARLY as hard as he just was. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-finally-caved#post-258744 Tue, 14 Aug 2012 20:33:11 +0000 Mrs. Pen 258744@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrbee: I am sooo tired. I couldn't not have survived these last couple months without DH's help. We take turns getting up with him in the mornings so the other one can sleep in later.<br /> He is a good napper, he takes two naps, one is usually 2-2.5 hours and the other is about 1.5 hours. </p> <p>@Mrs. Stroller: He is still swaddled, unfortunately. His lovey is his Aden &amp; Anais blanket, which I'm not sure I'm comfortable leaving with him in the crib..</p> <p>@winniebee: I'm doing it a little different than Ferber method too.. I am allowing myself to touch him. I am doing the 5 minute checks, but I go and kiss him or pat his tummy. then tell him I love him and leave. </p> <p>@stargal: aww thanks for that. That is such a great perspective. For him, not <i>to</i> him. </p>