CIO articles

[lismom2]

Since there have recently been several threads about CIO, I wanted to post a couple of articles that have really swayed me against it. I'm not trying to judge anyone or their decisions, but I am hoping to provide some useful information to help parents come up with a night time routine that works best for them. Happy reading :)
http://askdrsears.com/html/10/handout2.asp
http://www.storknet.com/cubbies/attachmentparenting/cio.htm
http://drbenkim.com/articles-attachment-parenting.html
http://www.pantley.com/elizabeth/
http://www.naturalchild.org/advice/q09.html

I also recommend reading 'Our Babies, Ourselves' by Meredith Small.

[NaomiK]

I have not read each article in depth yet. I am at work, so I just skimmed. I also want to say that I dont intend to offend, but here are my initial thoughts.

I can see how weeks of crying yourself to sleep everynight could be harmful. I mean how do you feel when you cry yourself to sleep? However, my daughter did very well with CIO. She only cried for 3 nights, and for no longer than 20 minutes. The last night she only cried for like 5 minutes. And when I say cry, I mean more like a whimper. She was not hysterical by any means. I believe that some babies need to CIO and others should not. It depends on the child and what the family needs.

I do not think I am forcing her to become independent. I think I am teaching her that everything will be ok without mommy. She is a big girl and she CAN put herslef to sleep. When she is awake, I do not go running everytime she cries either. I let her try to work it out first.

Yes, babies do need nurture and love throughout the day and night. I promise you I am not depriving her of that. I still rock her and read a book to her and give her hugs and kisses and tell her I love her. Its not like I am throwing her in a dark room all by herself so she can bawl her eyes out.

I plan to read these articles tonight. I am very open minded and am willing to educate myself on both sides of any issue. Ill post some more after reading.

[lismom2]

I do caution anyone reading them that they are VERY anti-CIO. I don't really want to debate CIO, but I hope to introduce some new ideas that might help anyone who is having sleep issues. CIO didn't work for our family (even though that's what everyone kept telling us to do) so when I found articles and strategies that were different from that recommendation, I was so relieved. I post them in the hopes that they help another family :)


I come in peace :)

[NaomiK]

Lol. I come in peace as well. I just dont want anyone to think that CIO is abusing your child or something. It def does not work for every family, but it worked great for mine. :) I still havent had time to read all of the articles, but I do want to. I just dont know what to tell people that say they dont want to do CIO lol. Im like ah well, your gonna have to ask someone else. I will read them...hopefully tomorrow.

[Jill_at_StorkRadio]

i will check them out but also know how important it is for both parents and baby to sleep

[DanniM]

These are all good references but where is the info on what to do if you don't CIO?

[NaomiK]

Check out the 4th Link - Elizabeth's Pantleys No Cry Solution - I have heard great things