Disclaimer: what I'm about to not my opinion on anyone else's parenting style. You've gotta do what works for you.
Until recently after her bedtime routine Molly would fall asleep in our arms, we'd carry her to bed, and shewould sleep in her crib until she woke up somewhere between 2-5. At that point we would go get her and bring her to our bed to sleep between us for the remainder of the night. Occasionally she would wake up again for a bottle, but not always. We were 100% happy with this. Everyone was sleeping, and we enjoyed the extra snuggles. This was the case until 4 nights ago when she somehow flip flopped down by Cory's feet and rolled out of bed. Our bed is insanely high do it scared us to death. Luckily she wasn't hurt.
We decided it was time for her to stay in her crib and we would try CIO. Last night was the 3rd night and she keeps crying more and more each night. She went from waking up once to waking up at least 8 times and sometimes crying for more than an hour. I broke down and offered a bottle and she refused. She just wants to be held. She's also started refusing to nap in her crib and acts terrified anytime we go near it. I hate this and I don't know if I can do it anymore. Listening to her cry all night goes against every momma instinct I have. ![]()
Help please!
Re: Sleep Help!
So sorry this is happening. If you want to CIO, get Ferber's book and read it. It is a life-saver. For the short term, I'd say do what you can to get sleep. Have you looked into this: http://www.target.com/c/baby-health-safety-child-safety-bed-rails/-/N-5xthd ?
For the crib, she currently has a really bad association. Try playing with her in her room/crib until she doesn't seem as freaked out. Sorry....I don't know if this makes sense, I haven't gotten much sleep lately.
Hey!! I Know what I'm going to say isn't going to make you feel any better, but PLEASE know that if you stick with it for most babies it does get better!!
T was an awful sleeper!! Took me sometimes 3 hours to rock her to sleep and then shed be up 3-4 times a night (sometimes for hours at a time!!)
We used CIO the week before the new year. During that week she didn't nap the first 3 days. She cried for 2 hours the first day before I read that if they cry for 30 minutes get them up and keep going on with the day even though they will be tired. I did the second theory for the next two days which is why she didn't nap. The fourth day she fell asleep (for only 30 min but it was improvement!!)
Now at bedtime, she will cry for less than 5 minutes!! (Most night its only about 20-30 seconds). She is also napping (now she does cry for longer at naptime but normally only about 10-15 minutes and even this is getting shorter and sometimes nonexistant!).
Also, during the night time she cries out in her sleep once in awhile, but she doesn't wake up. We are finally getting full night's sleep.
I know it doesn't help, but the first 7-10 days were hell. I didn't sleep and she didn't get as much as she was use to either. Now, it is heaven! I'm so happy we did CIO, but I know it doesn't work for everyone!
Hang in there and try whatever will work for you all!
At this point Z finds his way into our bed occassionally, and he then takes over the entire bed. I woke up on morning, no joke, laying in the southwestern corner of our bed w/o a pillow and barely any covers. Zac and Daddy had 3/4 of the bed.
Any who, on with your question, I agree with Megan, find a method and just stick it out. We did ferber with Zac, and honestly I can not say that it worked. I think had we not done it, we would have gotten the same results over the time it took + the day we took all bottles away he also started STTN ... coinsidence? I think not.