Parents who have used CIO - I have a few questions

DS went for his 4 mo well visit yesterday and I told the pediatrician that for the last 2 weeks DS has been waking up at 3, then 5, then 6 every morning for the last 2 weeks when he had been pretty much sleeping through the night to 6-7AM since 6 weeks.

The Pediatrician said if we are comfortable we should try to let him CIO.

So, my questions are:

1. How old was DC when you first tried CIO?

2. Did you just let them cry and stayed out of their room altogether or did you go in and comfort them at progessively longer periods?

3. Did it work?

4. If it did, how long did it take?

Thanks.

Re: Parents who have used CIO - I have a few questions

My ped told us something similar at 5 months, and I wish I had stuck to it, here are the answers to your questions:
1. How old was DC when you first tried CIO?
We first did it at 5 months, it took a little time, but it did work. Then he got sick at 7 months, we went away, then he got sick again, so it was all down the crapper. We didn't do CIO again til 1 year, but that is when it really worked like a charm.

2. Did you just let them cry and stayed out of their room altogether or did you go in and comfort them at progessively longer periods?
We cannot go in.

3. Did it work?
See #1.

4. If it did, how long did it take?
About a week, maybe less.

Re: Parents who have used CIO - I have a few questions

I have heard CIO should not be done before 6 months since before that time, they are usually crying for a reason and need you, not because they just want attention. But then some other things I have read say it can be tried around 4. I was not comfortable doing it at all before 6 though--my son was colicky, and that ended around 4.5 months, so it just didn't sit well with me. Not saying you shouldn't do it.

We tried Ferber where you go in at progressively longer intervals. Honestly, I'm not so sure it's the best thing. He would get more upset after we left to go in and calm him. If I ever did this again, I would just let him CIO.

For the period of time we tried it (less than a week) it seemed to work. But he got hysterical and screamed so much a couple times, I couldn't stand it anymore. So we dropped it. I'll let him cry a little now if he just sounds fussy or overtired, but if he starts crying continuously, I go to him. If you try CIO, it should work from my experience and what I've heard, but I just personally couldn't do it.

Instead I read "Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child", which had some good information about sleep patterns. I realized his 9 pm bedtime wasn't working for him anymore, and he needed to go to bed earlier. This helped tremendously, both with getting to sleep and staying asleep at night. After a couple weeks, his naps fell into place as well.

At 4 months your baby could be going through a growth spurt also and may need extra food. DS did that for a couple weeks, then stopped.

Up to you, but I wouldn't do CIO just yet.

Re: Parents who have used CIO - I have a few questions

Oh, I forgot DSs age. He was about 7.5 months when we tried CIO.

Re: Parents who have used CIO - I have a few questions

We did CIO when DS was 6 months.

We could not go in because that would make him 100x worse.

after I would say three nights - he was able to put himself to sleep for naps and nighttime.

There are times that we need to do a "refresher course" when something throws his sleeping off - but when we do - he will maybe CIO for two nights!

I do think 4 months is too young to do CIO. ALL of the books I've read say no earlier than 6 months - but if your ped said to do it then you have to do what is right for you!

Message edited 8/22/2008 8:43:08 AM.

Re: Parents who have used CIO - I have a few questions

1. How old was DC when you first tried CIO?
First attempt was around 4 or 5 months but we failed. Second attempt was at around 11 or 12 months and it was a success!

2. Did you just let them cry and stayed out of their room altogether or did you go in and comfort them at progessively longer periods?
We never stayed in the room and only go in if he's crying uncontrollably. We go in and sometime we do hold him for a bit and try again..other times one person will sit by the crib and hold his hand through the bar...other times he just needs his back rubbed a little. No matter what we time it and say good night when we leave.

3. Did it work?
The second attempt at it later on did work - very well.

4. If it did, how long did it take?
For the successful attempt we let him cry for 45 minutes...we were downstairs cleaning up and getting ready for the next day (so we kept busy). Second night was 30 minutes, then 15 minues then 5. Now he goes down, looks at us and closes his eyes...no crying.

Message edited 8/22/2008 8:59:03 AM.

Re: Parents who have used CIO - I have a few questions

DS was 6 months when we started the Ferber method... going in at progressivly longer intervals of time. It worked really well for us. After only a few nights, DS was putting himself to sleep without crying.

We never tried it for naps, so nap time is not so good, but at night he now goes to sleep like a dream!!! He will actually wave good bye to me as I leave the room!