Did the cry it out method work for you?

Question

I envy anyone who tried the cry it out method and actually had success. Don't get me wrong. I love my daughter and she does go to sleep. But to this day she refuses to go to be alone or not next to someone. Now me and my SO did try the cry it out method. And the result was always hours and hours of wailing until one of us caved. (Usually me). Co sleeping it is until she's fully ready to transition.

Answer

If you CIO, read Ferbers book because it's more than just letting your child scream. He recommends some controlled crying for children 6+ months WHEN showing signs of being ready. Some children are not ready at 6 month.

It will not work for all children. You need to discern if your child winds down by crying or winds herself up. If she's the later, than CIO is not for her. I'm not an advocate for CIO, but my 14 month old (my third) often wakes during the night and whines and cries a little for about 30 seconds and puts himself back down. He's winding down during those 30 second spurts. My second born would wind himself up until he puked if you let him cry. Know your child.

Depending on the age of your baby, the no cry sleep solution might work well. It's not so much a solution as understanding sleep, setting routines, and naps to ensure better nighttime sleep. The title is deceiving.

I have 3 boys. They all slept through the night at different times, because they are different kids. Sleep is a milestone like any other. Don't form bad habits, but understand that all kids aren't the same. Follow your instincts. Know that it seems like the days take forever now, but the years fly by and this phase of life will be over before you blink. Be strong. You can do it.

Answer

We did sort of Ferber... we checked every 5 mins for the first 20 mins and 10 mins after. I could never just let her cry. Also, when we go in we rub her back and tell her we love her and get her to get calm again before we leave the room. We've also stayed and just rubbed her back for 5 mins or so until she goes to sleep. Then she sleeps through the night. My daughter is also 8 months old. I wouldn't have attempted it any earlier. I feel like she was "ready". Before that she was sleeping with me and it was really bad she was waking up 8-10 times a night. We didn't know what else to do! She had gotten sick and then teething started and her sleep was really messed up!

This has saved us all! We all sleep now! It was 8 weeks of us being zombies and when we started Sleep Training it worked the first night!

There's a lot of literature out there, find what works for you and your baby! I couldn't handle her crying it made me cry but this was doable and it's really made her a happier baby and us happier too!

Answer

Cry it out doesn't have to be the way people imagine it. When I say I did the cry it out method with my now 1 yr old i don't mean I just left him alone to cry himself to sleep for hours. He was very easy to transition. I would rock and nurse him until he was relaxed lay him down and leave the room. Let him cry for 5 mins go back in nurse and rock again lay him down wait 10 mins and so on. I never had to go back in after the 15 mins. I didn't ignore him I went to comfort him while letting him know he was still going to bed. He was 6 months when I started it. By 8 months he was sleeping through most nights. some nights waking up one time. Now at 1 year he doesn't wake up in the middle of the night ever. He is my best sleeper out of 3 kids and the only one I did this with. I wish I would've learned this with my older ones. My 3 year old still wakes up once a night and my 6 year old will here and there. My husband and I have to lay with them every night too.

Answer

We haven't tried it and I don't intend to. I'm almost 30 and I don't like to sleep alone, so why would I expect my 7 month old to? He'll only be little for a short period of time and my husband and I don't mind him sleeping with us. He'll be in his own room soon enough so for now, I'm happy to get my cuddles while I can.

Did the cry it out method work for you?

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