HELP WITH SLEEP FOR 10 MONTH OLD!! DESPERATE!

Hi ladies,

Well, DD has been spoiled and wants to only sleep with a warm body next to her. Grandma babysits a few days and allowed her to fall asleep on her chest. We didn't know this at first and now it's become a huge problem. DD will not go to sleep in her crib now for beans - naps, nighttime, nothing.

There is so much controversy with CIO, etc. DH and I are torn - we tried it last night for a little bit and it tore us apart inside. She is now fussing on my bed and is exhausted - as soon as Iput her in the crib she freaks even more.

suggestions?!?!!?

Re: HELP WITH SLEEP FOR 10 MONTH OLD!! DESPERATE!

First, I'd say to forgive Grandma and understand that its totally natural for a 10 month old to enjoy the cozy security of snuggling.

Second, I'd say decide what you want most. That isn't clear to me. Whats your top priority -- avoiding CIO or getting baby to sleep in the crib?

Are you able to put her down or leave the bed after she is asleep?

Re: HELP WITH SLEEP FOR 10 MONTH OLD!! DESPERATE!

I'd like to say I can deal with CIO to some degree but it eats at my heart and nerves. I want to nip it in the bud (so to speak) at this age v. having even more sleep issues down the line.

What has everyone else done?

Re: HELP WITH SLEEP FOR 10 MONTH OLD!! DESPERATE!

I let my daughter cry. It started with naps for us when she would only sleep on my lap and I was losing my mind. She was incapable of being soothed and once asleep being transferred to the crib, so crying was the only alternative to mommy playing the role of mattress.

Re: HELP WITH SLEEP FOR 10 MONTH OLD!! DESPERATE!

ditto here - so how did you start the CIO method?

Re: HELP WITH SLEEP FOR 10 MONTH OLD!! DESPERATE!

I just feel like crying - last night I started to have a panic attack when she cried in the crib - I just don't know what to do - what is "right" - I hear so many opinions - it's killing me - i feel "frozen" and helpless

Re: HELP WITH SLEEP FOR 10 MONTH OLD!! DESPERATE!

Do you have anyone you know personally, that you trust and respect that has been through CIO? You need some serious reassurance!

Unfortunately, there is no right. We are all just guessing and doing the best that we can!!!

Most of the people who tell you that they don't believe in CIO are blessed with children with easier temperments. I have a friend who preached anti-CIO with her first, but then she had a second child with a totally different personality and changed her views.

I remember how you are feeling -- like the decision you make is going to affect her whole life. Reality is that whether or not she cries before sleeping is just one very, very small event in the big picture!!!

If you need some direction, the Pantley book No Cry Sleep Solution has some approaches that are gentler for sleep training. It may give you somewhere to start if you aren't ready to go with CIO...

Re: HELP WITH SLEEP FOR 10 MONTH OLD!! DESPERATE!

I am guilty of this as well. DD will not sleep in the crib through out the night however when she falls asleep on my I make sure she is out pretty sound I lay her in the crib and lean her on a pillow from our bed so our sent is there still..it works well she sleeps for two hours.

Re: HELP WITH SLEEP FOR 10 MONTH OLD!! DESPERATE!

I noticed the baby would sleep for hours on my chest. In the end I figured out it wasn't me he needed. He was a belly sleeper.

Re: HELP WITH SLEEP FOR 10 MONTH OLD!! DESPERATE!

I've heard good things about the no cry sleep solution. We had a lot of trouble with sleeping and did a combination of the sleeplady and CIO.

When we CIO, we always let DS know that we are there and he is not alone, but we don't pick him up or pet too much. Then we let him cry. After 15-30 minutes we would let him know we were still there, but no picking up, etc. After a few days it does subside.

good luck

Re: HELP WITH SLEEP FOR 10 MONTH OLD!! DESPERATE!

I have never done CIO and personally don't believe in it. It works for some families, just not ours.
I don't think a few days of falling asleep on grandma will ruin her forever. I would just comfort her and put her down often. She will get used to sleeping the good-old way soon enough.

Re: HELP WITH SLEEP FOR 10 MONTH OLD!! DESPERATE!

I think you could try CIO, but again, you need to be consistant with it. Think of a 1-10 scale of her cries. I would never let Noah cry past a 6 on the scale (he was always more of a moaner than a cryer...) and he never cried for more than 25 minutes.

I say give it a go, give yourself a time limit. Don't make a rod for your own back! Honestly, nip it in the bud before she is older when its a much bigger problem.

Happiest Baby on the Block is also very good! You can take bits of all different methods and make them work for you.

Good Luck!

Re: HELP WITH SLEEP FOR 10 MONTH OLD!! DESPERATE!

I would continue with the CIO method. DD is 8 1/2 months and we just resorted to it a little over a week ago. The first 3 nights were horrible and I felt sick to my stomach. One night she screamed for 40 minutes. After a few nights, she learned to calm herself and has been sleeping through the night. I felt like I was being abusive, but now I realize I am helping her to be more self-sufficient and independent. Good luck with whatever method you choose.