letting baby cry it out

Nicollette
My LO just turned 4 months and is normally a little fussy when I get him to sleep for his nap and at bedtime but is getting better. Everyone is telling me it's okay to just put him in the crib and let him cry it out. I've tried a couple of times and he just makes himself all sweaty crying and on occasion will cry to the point of throwing up. Is it normal for me not to want to let him cry it out? My mother keeps trying to push it on me.