Advice on CIO- if babysitter won't do it

Bamgal25

I finally decided I needed to do CIO for naps because DD would NOT stay asleep for naps and would only sleep if held by me.  She had been napping fairly well until a couple of weeks ago but the past two weeks were horrible as far as naps and I just couldn't take it anymore.  I am not really a fan of CIO but I am really hoping it will be worth the misery of listening to her cry and that it will work for us.  (side note: her nighttime sleep isn't great either so I plan to do CIO for going to bed at night too)

I am at home with DD every day except Wednesdays, when my MIL keeps her.  I don't think my MIL can handle doing CIO.  She can barely handle it if DD cries for 5 seconds while laying on her play mat.  I asked MIL if she thinks she can continue on with it this week (as I know the first week or so is the most critical to setting the pattern) and she gave me some other "suggestions" of what to do instead of CIO.  Then she asked if it was screaming cry or sleepy cry and asked what my friends do.  I told her some friends have done CIO and I want to know if she has the stomach for CIO.  Well she hasn't responded, even after I asked a second time. 

So... my question is- if it were you, would you take off work Wednesday to continue to work on this?  Since the first few days are so critical I would hate for MIL to come un-do what I've done.  I probably shouldn't have started this today... but no going back now.  I think after DD adjusts to going to sleep by herself (assuming that she does), that MIL will be able to do the new nap routine.  I just don't think she will let DD cry it out.

Advice?  Thoughts?  Encouragement?   

Meganbryn

If it works with your schedule, maybe start CIO Wednesday night. That way by the time the next Wednesday during the day rolls around it will have been almost a week and hopefully your LO won't cry much when she goes to put her down. We did the Ferber method and have never looked back!! Goodluck with your sleep training:)

VitaLuna

Let grandma do whatever works for her. I would be really upset if I was the caregiver and someone told me to let the baby CIO (not saying that's what you're doing, but another perspective).

Babies this age know what to expect from who. My mom rocks LO to sleep all the time. We don't at home, and in fact, she won't fall asleep in my or H's arms. You'll get it figured out. Do what you're comfortable with, and let MIL do the same.

Salemkitty13

If you started CIO last night, I would try to take off Wednesday also. I would want things to be as consistent as possible. But work isn't high on my priority list right now so...

Bamgal25

Thanks all. I am going to see how tonight and tomorrow go and decide then. Work isn't high on my list either so maybe I am just looking for an excuse to stay home...

That's a good point about DD knowing things are different with grandma anyway. I am sure she does other stuff differently too. Decisions, decisions!