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We did it when my son was just days old. He cried all day (literally 1 pm - 3 am) in our arms or in his crib. At some point we had to put him down or go crazy. I think thats a little young and we created a negative sleep association (he was hurting). But by 5 months if that isn't the case (it doesn't sound like there is) I would do what you need to do.

You could try CIO for a few minutes while you collect your thoughts and then go back in and try to sooth him. We do that now. If he isn't interested in going to bed with us, we will leave him to cry and come back when we aren't as emotional.

You are not a terrible mother. CIO also doesn't make a terrible mother. It is just one tool in the parenting tool box. You may at this point also need another tool than what you are doing. I started reading the No-Cry Sleep Solution which I really like.

I feel you, it took me three hours to get Wonder Baby asleep for the night. Oy. I'm still not willing to let her CIO though.

We did CIO. At 4 months with mavi. And by day 3 he was sleeping through the night. You aren't a horrible mother. You are exhausted. There's a difference.

You are not a terrible mother for considering it. We did it with DD. We limited the crying to 20min before going back in and checking on her; I think she lasted 20min one time. She quickly (within a day or two) learned to fall asleep on her own. Now at 28m we are dealing with some regression in the falling asleep on her own thing but she is getting her final 4 molars and I am expecting again so things at home are a little chaotic.

You are not a terrible mother. YOU NEED REST!

We CIO, though, when we sleep-trained.

I will chime in and say that you are not a terrible mother for wanting both you and your LO to get better sleep at night. Part of motherhood is keeping yourself sane and healthy!

@Coco Bee: you are not a terrible mother! you need your rest too. it doesn't hurt to CIO. we sleep trained early on and one time LO cry for 45mins until he finally slept. although i felt so bad, we both needed to sleep.

@Coco Bee: I agree. CIO is very, very hard. My mom is constantly telling me to let my LO cry it out, but at two months I don't feel comfortable letting her do it longer than 5 to 8 minutes or so.

@Coco Bee: Is there anything that helps him go to sleep early or keeps him asleep? I know DS will fall asleep and stay asleep for long periods of time in his bouncy seat with the vibrations turned on. If your son has anything like that, maybe try using it for a night or two, just so you can catch up on your sleep. Being exhausted makes everything harder to deal with! Also, does your DH help out? My DH and I split the night shift, which makes it so much easier, since I'm guaranteed at least 3 hours of continuous sleep a night. Those three hours are like heaven!

I totally remember these times with DD, and I remember thinking that it was never going to end. I just wanted to reassure you that, no matter what method you choose, he will eventually sleep better. It does get better with time, even if it feels completely overwhelming right at this moment. Hugs, you're not a bad mom; you're just a tired mom who needs a break!

@Coco Bee: Can you nap on the couch while he's in his swing at the first part of the night? Then, you wouldn't have to move it into your room for just a few hours? Are you able to nap with your DS during the day at all? Sometimes you just gotta survive for a bit until things start turning around. It will get better, though! Sleep issues are just so tough to work out at this age.

We're dealing with some sleep issues with DS, so I can totally understand the exhaustion that comes with a baby who won't go to sleep or stay asleep. Thank goodness for husbands that help out, though! We're lucky to have our guys.

@Coco Bee: That sounds fantastic for naps. Does he sleep in his crib for naps or the swing? That could be one of the differences.

7:30 may be too late to put him down. Have you tried putting him down earlier? about 2 hours after he wakes from his last nap?

@Coco Bee: You will get through this. I promise. I swear as parents we seem to deal with 2 things: eating and sleeping. They are pretty much all encompassing. I feel like it is one step forward 10 steps back whenever I deal with either of those.

@Coco Bee: That sounds absolutely perfect. You are amazing for getting there. Hmmmm that makes this all much harder to troubleshoot.

Have you tried Wake to Sleep? Go in there before he wakes up. Give him a kiss or snuggle just enough to get out of heavy sleep so that he goes through the transition with you there but in his crib and not awake enough to want you. (wow thats a long run on sentence). If this is a habit and not a need, this would help break the habit.