Hellobee Boards

you're not a bad mom!
I never did CIO, but PLENTY of moms have.
let me dig up some blog posts about it for you!

http://www.hellobee.com/2012/05/29/rubies-sleep-training-story/

http://www.hellobee.com/2011/09/23/sleep-training-part-1-how-we-night-trained/

aww dont feel bad, you gotta do whats best for your lo and he needs sleep and you need sleep to ake care of him. a lot of babies do great with CIO and it might be just what he needs to fall asleep, remember you are doing this FOR him not TO him or punishing him in any way!

I'm sorry, it's so rough. I had to do CIO for naps and it was rough. When Maddox stopped nursing to sleep at night, I added toys to his bed so he could play before falling asleep. Does your LO have a lovey or some toys in there with him to comfort him?

6 hours at night is really not enough, you're doing the right thing. Hugs

@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!

http://www.hellobee.com/2012/01/12/things-i-didnt-know-about-baby-sleep/

http://www.hellobee.com/2012/01/18/2-tips-to-help-your-baby-sleep-better/

@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.)

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.

A&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!)

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.

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.

Good luck, I really hope it all comes together for your little guy quickly!

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!

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!

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!

@Coco Bee: good job mama! The pics are so sweet. How'd he do?

:(((( 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.

Hang in there! You can do it!

@Coco Bee: Wow, that's amazing!!! Congrats!!!!!!!!

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.

You will both get through this.

@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!