Update re: sleep issues and CIO

m&m823

Welllllll....it's night 3 and we're still fighting sleep.  Monday night we let him CIO but kept going in to lay him down and reassure him.  Tha did nothing but piss him off.  He would scream louder when we went in.  So, Tuesday through tonight we've gone full-force let him cry.  Each night he has SCREAMED (I wouldn't even say cry - I would say scream) for about an hour or so (longer if you count breaks in between).  He finally falls asleep standing up, with his head and arms resting on the rail of the crib.  It's the saddest thing I've ever seen.  DH will try to go in and lay him down, but then he wakes up, starts screaming and stands up again - only to fall asleep a second later (still standing up).  Ugh!  I know he's not getting real sleep while he's leaning on the crib, but I tell ya, the kid is stubborn!  Tuesday and Wednesday, DH was finally able to go in after a few hours of him standing while sleeping and lay him down without waking him up.  He finally laid down by himself tonight about 4 hours after we put him down.  This is all not cool with me (or DH) but something we have to try.  We have another Dr. appt on Monday,so we'll tell her all about this.  I tried to put him in the crib for naps, let him scream for an hour and take him back out.  He won't have any part of napping in there.  So, he's pretty much napped in the car all week still.  I wanted to tackle it all at once, but I'm just exhausted and really want him to get some sleep during the day.  

I just want to say that I know this all sounds SO horrible.  But it's what the pedi told us to do (and I've done a fair amount of reading on the topic) and I feel like we have to try this path before ruling it out.  She (Dr.) did say that the CIO thing would likely take a lot longer with him since he was a reflux and colicky baby.  Those kiddos learn to be stubborn (and scream) and it's a tough pattern to break! 

Thanks again for all the advice the other night.  I really appreciate it.  Please keep wishing us luck - I really want this to work!

JRS72206

Sounds like it's been really, really hard. I'm sorry and I hope he starts to "get it" soon! ((HUGS))

stacylu

Ugh - I'm sorry Michelle. I was hoping it was going better for you guys.

Seattle_JiLLn

wow, that's one stubborn kid.   I hope you guys figure *something* out so you can get some sleep.

 

Once he falls asleep finally, is he sleepign through? Or is he waking in the middle oft he night repeatedly?

IdahoGirl

Awww sweetie...that is so, so tough.  I don't envy you right now

AnnetteWalker

I hope it gets better soon. That sounds awful for all of you.

What are you evenings like?  We had some friends who's second baby had a huge sleep problem and they went to a pedi sleep specialist who told them to CIO but also to keep the last hour before bed time as "quiet play time" soft music no TV  dim lights just books or again relaxed play time. They had a bad few nights with CIO but then their son got it and slept well ever since.

 

 

tfarabians

I don't think it sounds horrible...I feel more sorry for you and dh!  I know how rough it can be on parents!  Keep in mind that no baby ever died of crying, and he is old enough now that he completely understands that its time for night night but he is just a stubborn little bugger!  It actually sounds like your making progress...keep it up your sooooo close! 

Mrs.Kiltlifter

Ugh!  I am so sorry.  I cannot even imagine what it is like.  You are right, that kid is stubborn.  But I bet the smiles are worth it!

Jas*sGirl

Sending along huge hugs!  It does not sound horrible at all...it sounds like you are being a parent and trying to figure out what works!  I sure hope little man gets it soon and you can all get some much needed sleep!!

applecider

Hugs!  Connor is such a colicky sleep-hater, I fear this may be us in 6 months (or even sooner).  I'm sure it'll suck for us but if it helps the baby be happy and healthy, we're going to do it.

asianbymarriage

Awww... it sounds like you guys are doing a great job, though. Good for you! I know it's hard, but we're all rooting for you! Ditto the PP - you're so close, just hang on a little bit longer! Is it possible to not go in and lay him down after he falls asleep on the railing? When he slumps down on his own, does he wake up or hurt himself? If not, maybe that would be better, so he's not getting mixed signals? If he wakes in the morning and seems happy, then you know you're not doing him any harm. That was always my favorite time to give lots of hugs and kisses for the guilt I felt the night before.

As it is, DD is kinda regressing now - she starts crying after we put her down, and when we go in, she just laughs and tries to play. She is totally playing us! So we've had to kind of retrain a little bit. After all this time, I STILL can't stand to hear her scream, so I know how you feel... but I still know that it's best for her - otherwise she'll never learn that that behavior is not ok and it's bedtime!! I'm still wishing you all the luck in the world!