need CIO insperation !

[fischersmom]

My 11 month old wakes up like clockwork at 1:30 am !!! I stopped giving him a bottle about 3 weeks ago, so he is not hungry - he just wants to play. I put him down between 7:30-8:00. Tonight I am going to try the Cry It Out method - everything I've read says it works, but I am afraid my heart won't be able to handle it (daddy's either). I need inspiration (and any tips!)

[myboysmom]

First of all, it is harder on you than it is them! :) As I'm sure you've heard before. But at 11 months, he's going to be more ticked off that you are not coming in than anything. The one thing that makes or breaks CIO is consistency. If you start it tonight, and really want it to work, you have to carry through. If you give in after a few times, then it's going to be worse than starting in the first place. Because he's old enough to know that he can play your emotions. So, hang in there, be tough, and good luck sleeping soon! :)

[haleymom07]

the CIO is the best thing ever. the first night or two will be difficult but after that you and your son will be happier. be strong and just dont give in to the urge to pick him up, i promise you it is worth it and after a while it will be so easy to get the lil one to sleep. you can do it and like myboysmom said its harder on you than it will be on him. good luck and let us know how it goes

[ra11en]

I second myboysmom - it is MUCH harder on you than him!! And you HAVE TO HAVE TO HAVE TO remain consistent - if you do CIO or a form of it tonight, you must remain resolved.

With our DD, we used a slight variation to the CIO to work with her temperment / personality. We started very young at 5mo - she was sleeping through the night off and on at 8wks, and ped told us by 4 - 5mo she no longer physically needed to wake at all. We haven't regretted it even once! For her, I would go into her room and go through the checklist - changed, water, and some comforting rocking with mommy or daddy. Never turned on the lights and never took her out of the room. They say not to even take them out of the crib, but my DD would have screamed all night (we did attempt that). We would rock her for 7 minutes and then back into the crib she went. We made sure she had a blankie, and her sippy of water, as well as a suffed animal that we prop up in the corner of the crib as her little guardian. Sounds silly but she finds it comforting.

If she woke up and cried (aka screaming bloody murder) we let it go for 5 minutes before going back in and repeating the rocking protion only (her diaper was already changed). Then, after 7 minutes back in her crib. If more crying (wailing, screaming, you name it) we then gave her 10 minutes before going back in for more rocking. After the first time of rocking, we would no longer speak to her either. The first time, I would tell her I was there and everything was okay, but only the first time. She wanted interaction and I couldn't allow her to get that as a pay off.

During the crying spells, I would actually go sit out on the back porch with no monitor on and a timer on so I knew exactly how long. Never knew 5 minutes could stretch SOOOOO long! I couldn't just stay outside her door and listen, and I knew in my rational brain she was okay even though my heart was breaking. She only ever lasts 2 nights, and rarely do we go through a third round of screaming. These days, at 22mo, we rarely ever make it to a second round if she does wake up (rarely ever from nightmares).

One of the best gifts we gave ourself was teaching her to fall asleep on her own and to self sooth when she wakes up at night. A good tip to us was not to rush in immediately, give her a chance to self sooth so we usually waited a few minutes before entering her room. 90% of the time she falls back asleep without our intervention now.

Good luck! Its not easy but I bet you have him broken of this habit in no time! And know that many a mothers have gone this road before you; I've spent my time crying in the middle of the night just like my DD when teaching her sleep through the night and self sooth. You can do it!!

[MommaC]

Keep reminding yourself that you're doing him a favor. Self-soothing is a very important skill for him to have...and you'll all be much happier for it. The book I love for all things sleep is "Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child" (Marc Weissbluth). Hearing your baby cry is hard. I'd recommend taking a shower or going in the basement for a while just so your nerves don't fray. And don't give in. You'll be amazed how fast it works. The first night is the worst, but our daughter was down with the crying by the end of the first week. He'll learn, and you'll all be happier! Hang tough. Find something relaxing to do with your husband.... Good luck!

[ra11en]

Fischersmom: How did the first night go?

[fischersmom]

Well, I put him down at 8:00 - he whined for about 5 minutes at 1:24 and was silent at 1:36. He did not wake again until 4:59. I know that I am not this lucky, and that the only reason he actually slept all night last night is because I stressed and got myself psyched for letting him cry ( he already likes to mess with my mind !) we also went to the pool from 5:00 to 6:00 yesterday evening which probably wore him out. So I have told myself that tonight is the true test.
Thank ya'all so much for all of the tips and inspiration ! I will keep you posted !