crying it out is the method in which a parent leaves their baby in their bed to cry for a specific period of time, before offering comfort- without picking them up. the reason for implementing this method of sleep training is to help train your baby to fall asleep on his or her own without using "crutch" ie: rocking, patting.
you can start with cio as early as 4 months- dave and i didn't know this in the beginning, so we tried it the first couple weeks until we found out we needed to wait- oh, i felt terrible. now we are at 4 months, and we have just started implementing it again. we didn't really need it at first- but with the turmoil of the current wonder week- it has been a necessity.
why do i think cio is a good idea? it's a good idea because i feel you need to teach your baby to self-soothe. i just don't think it's a good idea to go and pick your baby up every time they cry- why? i mean, sure, you have the ability to say, "my baby is so good, he/she never cries" but of course they won't when you are picking them up every time they cry. giving into them will only make things harder when they are older- because babies are smart! if i leave ian in the room and he is cooing and content he starts to cry the second the door closes, but the second my hand touches the knob to come back in, a hush falls over the room. he knows.
it's also the toughest thing in the world. it's the toughest thing in the world because nobody wants to hear their baby cry- it just tears you up- you want to go and run in and rescue them- hold them and rock them to sleep, but you've got to be strong! i like to do necessary daily tasks during that time to keep me occupied- ie: eat breakfast or lunch, take a quick shower (all within earshot or view of my baby monitor).
crying it out has really started working for us. 5 minutes is usually my first check in. after i put ian down for a nap or bedtime, i give him 5 minutes- if he's still fussing i go in and assess the situation: is he wet? has he spit up? is he gassy? has he lost the pacifier? is it too hot/cold? has he pulled mr. bear over his face? i check into these things, flip him back over (he's been flipping to his tummy to sleep lately, and i find it easier to get him to sleep if i "start him over again" on his back). i talk to him and reassure him, re-wind his lamb or mobile, give him a few pats and i'm out again. this time i extend the time from 7-10 minutes. lately, i haven't needed to do this, and sometimes lately i haven't even needed the first check.
there have been other times though that after all the check-ins; the crying just won't stop. and those times have ended baby in my arms both of us fast asleep in my bed. and that's ok too. sometimes baby just needs mama, and mama just needs baby.
what are your methods in getting baby to sleep with ease or to self-soothe?
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