Our experience, feel free to flame away, but I wanted to put this out there for other sleep challenged moms.

So we have been having some sleep issues with DS for the last 1-2 months. He has no problem sleeping... it's just at times the only way he will sleep is on top of you.

It got to the point where he would wake up in the middle of the night and fall right asleep on your shoulder. Out cold... then when you would go to put him in the crib he would start screaming again. We had gotten afraid of CIO (something that had worked since he was 6 months old) because he started crying until he threw up all over himself. It was taking DH and myself 2-3 hours in the middle of the night to get him back in his crib which was not working. He would be passed out on you for 30 minutes, but as soon as you move towards the crib he felt it and woke up.

Also keep in mind that he sleeps no problem at daycare 3 days a week. It's just at home he would only sleep on us.

So, I have spoken to a few LIF moms via FM and also called my ped to speak with the nurse. I have been led to believe that my DS is manipulating the situation. He knows how to sleep. He does it at daycare, he sleeps no problem on top of us. He just knows we are suckers who will coddle him when he throws up and cries.

So last night we did it. Taking the advice of my ped, we let him CIO. He threw up all over the place about 10 minutes later. We went in his room, got him cleaned up and changed. DH cleaned the floor and crib. Then we put him back in and left the room (after telling him goodnight and we love you). He screamed like I have never heard him scream.......

15 minutes later he was snoring. And slept through the night until 6 this morning.

The only thing that gives me solace is knowing that DS is happy, healthy, fed, not wet or hurt. Because of all these things, DH and I finally tried this last night. The alternative would have been to go in his room and have him immediately fall asleep on our shoulder and be stuck that way for 2 hours... plus reinforcing to him that he does not have to fall asleep on his own in his crib.

As I said in the title, I know there are some moms who will think I was torturing my son last night. I can accept and appreciate your opinions. It was not easy for us to do this last night. But I did want to put this out there for other moms who might be struggling with sleep issues as an extreme, but possible, solution to try.

Re: Our experience, feel free to flame away, but I wanted to put this out there for other sleep challenged moms.

I don't think you are torturing your son. You have to do what works best for you.

Re: Our experience, feel free to flame away, but I wanted to put this out there for other sleep challenged moms.

your family, do what works for you

As long as DC is over 6 months, I think CIO is fine.....

Re: Our experience, feel free to flame away, but I wanted to put this out there for other sleep challenged moms.

Posted by saraH



I don't think you are torturing your son. You have to do what works best for you.

Re: Our experience, feel free to flame away, but I wanted to put this out there for other sleep challenged moms.

I say good for you! I am glad it worked and now you can get some sleep as well!

Re: Our experience, feel free to flame away, but I wanted to put this out there for other sleep challenged moms.

Good for you - you have to do what is right for your son and your family - don't let anyone tell you differently!

Hopefully tonight he won't throw up - and maybe will just cry!

Everyday it gets a little bit easier!

Re: Our experience, feel free to flame away, but I wanted to put this out there for other sleep challenged moms.

YAY!!!!

So glad it worked!!! I am a believer in CIO and it definitely sounds like it was necessary for you guys! I would have done the same thing.

Hopefully it continues and he'll go down without any problems or any screaming at all!

Re: Our experience, feel free to flame away, but I wanted to put this out there for other sleep challenged moms.

I think you did the right thing for your son, you're TEACHING him how to fall asleep!!! It wasn't for selfish reasons, he needs to know how to get off to sleep!!!!
Plus I'm sure it was torturous listening to him screaming I dread those nights ahead, I know I'll need help too if DS is a poor sleeper!!!

Re: Our experience, feel free to flame away, but I wanted to put this out there for other sleep challenged moms.

Glad it worked for you!

Re: Our experience, feel free to flame away, but I wanted to put this out there for other sleep challenged moms.

I'm sorry you have had a rough time for so long, but it sounds like you are on the right path. You have to do what is best for your family and your son will be better off in the long run because of this.

Re: Our experience, feel free to flame away, but I wanted to put this out there for other sleep challenged moms.

Good for you and thank you for sharing...it will most definitely help another mom along the way!

Sleep is so very important for children - it's crucial for their development.

The hard part is over...the first time...now it gets easier for both you and DS! There will be some rough patches but now you know the end result...you know you can hold out longer.

These little people are smart...and they can be manipulative! They also look to us for what to do ...what is acceptable and who is in charge. They are also very adaptable. When we falter we fail. So stand strong and do what works for you and your family.

Re: Our experience, feel free to flame away, but I wanted to put this out there for other sleep challenged moms.

i can't imagine how difficult it was to put your son back in his crib after he threw up but i truly believe you did the right thing - you KNEW he could sleep there but he didn't want to. many to you and good job sticking to your guns!!!

Re: Our experience, feel free to flame away, but I wanted to put this out there for other sleep challenged moms.

no flames here. I think it's important your taking these steps now! And I just have to add that I have heard pediatricians who will say to let them CIO, and if they throw up, to leave them with it, so they learn not to do it again. Just what I heard....

Re: Our experience, feel free to flame away, but I wanted to put this out there for other sleep challenged moms.

Posted by chmlengr

no flames here. I think it's important your taking these steps now! And I just have to add that I have heard pediatricians who will say to let them CIO, and if they throw up, to leave them with it, so they learn not to do it again. Just what I heard....

Re: Our experience, feel free to flame away, but I wanted to put this out there for other sleep challenged moms.

I think you did the right thing, for your son. I can only imagine how hard it was for you...my gosh. I am in the same situation and unfortunately, I am not even going to bother with CIO since DS's crib is in our room.

Re: Our experience, feel free to flame away, but I wanted to put this out there for other sleep challenged moms.

Re: Our experience, feel free to flame away, but I wanted to put this out there for other sleep challenged moms.

You did the right thing for him - and for yourselves. Little kids are manipulative with sleep and they know exactly what they are doing. I'm sorry he threw up but hopefully he won't do it again tonight. Good for you though for standing your ground - I know how hard it is to listen to crying, but hopefully you are on the road to restful nights!

Re: Our experience, feel free to flame away, but I wanted to put this out there for other sleep challenged moms.

No flames at all.

Good for you for doing what's right for your family!!!

Re: Our experience, feel free to flame away, but I wanted to put this out there for other sleep challenged moms.

well like you said everyone has different parenting ideas and you do what is best for your family

Re: Our experience, feel free to flame away, but I wanted to put this out there for other sleep challenged moms.

No flames here at all. I think we're approaching this point in my house too and it helps to see someone else in the same situation.

Re: Our experience, feel free to flame away, but I wanted to put this out there for other sleep challenged moms.

I'm all for CIO...no flames at all. Hope that he continues to be able to put himself to sleep EVERY night!

Re: Our experience, feel free to flame away, but I wanted to put this out there for other sleep challenged moms.

I don't flame you at all for what you had to do. We all need to sleep and your DS is over a year old now. As you stated, he had all of his needs met and it really seemed to be more of a manipulation concern.

We went through a stage where we had to let DS CIO. He was also over a year old and would just not go to bed on his own. After many-a-night of having DS sleep in our bed and me waking up sleep-deprived with a sore back and shoulders (because DS would literally stretch out over the entire bed), we decided to use CIO as a last resort. DS would scream (much the way you described) and it was horrible, but he finally learned how to fall asleep on his own and self-soothe. Now at almost 2, DS will go into his crib willingly. Our next task will be to remove the binky (which he only uses at night), but that's a battle I'm not ready to fight.

So do what's best for you and your DS. He needs the rest, and this will be best for him in the long run.

Btw, I love your DS's name .

Re: Our experience, feel free to flame away, but I wanted to put this out there for other sleep challenged moms.

I am so glad it (finally, eventually, pick your word) worked out for you guys. Believe me, I know how manipulative these little people can be. I just hope he learned his lesson last night and does not continue to do this every night for you.

To the pp, I too have heard peds say to let them sleep in the throw up as a "lesson". I personally feel that is too harsh so I wouldn't and couldn't do it but I absolutely have no problem at all with CIO

Re: Our experience, feel free to flame away, but I wanted to put this out there for other sleep challenged moms.

Thank you for posting this.

We use CIO with DS (7.5 mos old) and he is pretty good with sleeping through the night.

Though for some reason every 2-3 weeks he reverts and will scream his head off at 2-3AM for 1-2 days. The older he gets, the more intense and INTENTIONAL it is. (now he sometimes bangs his head against the crib)

We are just waiting for the day when he starts doing something more severe (like throwing up).

It really takes a lot of strength to stand by CIO and not feel like a bad mother.

I'm so happy this worked out for you!!! You are doing what is best for your family, and most importantly, for DS, so he can become an independent, secure, self-soother and sleeper!!

Re: Our experience, feel free to flame away, but I wanted to put this out there for other sleep challenged moms.

My DS just turned 6 mos a couple of weeks ago. He wakes up every night and we give him a bottle. Our ped says he no longer needs a middle of the night feeding (he's over 20lbs!) and I agree.

We did CIO with our DD, who is now 2yrs old. So, I know it works. I'm just dreading it. It took about 2 solid weeks to get our DD sleeping through the night. And now, DS's room is right next to DD's room. So, that will probably equal two screaming children at 2a

I'm avoiding the inevitable.