CIO--how soon is too soon?

ZoeyMarie

So, this is our first baby and the first grandbaby. With the holidays and get-togethers, he's been spoiled and barely put down. How soon is too soon to let him CIO a bit?

TexasLadyBug

Most books, people, etc...recommend no sooner than four months, with most saying six months is a good age. Your baby needs to be able to soothe themself and before four months they cant really do that on their own.

Babies like to be held, hear your heatbeat, feel your touch etc... you can always put LO is his/her swing but sit next to it placing your hand on LO so they know you are their. I would not just put them in their crib or swing and walk away letting them cry until they pass out. 

KJmashup

I've read that it isn't until 4 to 6 months before babies can self-soothe, so I wouldn't suggest doing it before then.

JoannaJes

Your baby hasn't been spoiled by being held too much. In fact, my pediatrician states that the more a baby is held in the first 6 months, the less fussy and clingy they will be later on. So consider it an investment in having a happy, well-adjusted child.

ZoeyMarie

Okay, so how do I get hm to slenight if t ep in his crib/bassinet at night or naps?

JoannaJes

Your baby is so young, I would let them sleep wherever they want to sleep at this point. Whether it's in the swing, or on you. Do you have a carrier like a Moby wrap where you could wear your LO?

Also, we found a lot of useful sleep suggestions in the book The No Cry Sleep Solution.

argonne

JoannaJes:

Your baby hasn't been spoiled by being held too much. In fact, my pediatrician states that the more a baby is held in the first 6 months, the less fussy and clingy they will be later on. So consider it an investment in having a happy, well-adjusted child.

Ditto.  Dr. Sears has a lot of great articles about how attending to the childs needs (being held is a NEED at this stage) creates happier and more independent children.  If they know that their needs will always get met and they know they can trust their parents, they feel more inclined to go out and explore the world and less inclined to be whiny and clingy.

I held DS a lot during the first month or two.  Now, I can put him down and do the dishes or run the vacuum and he keeps himself entertained for some time before he gets bored.  I attribute this to the fact that he trusts me and DH.  He also never really had a witching hour or was really fussy.

ZoeyMarie

I'll just keep holding him... We do have a Moby wrap, but I've had troubles geting it to work right...

Thanks for all of the advice, ladies, you are awesome!

Mayoral04

Spoiled? He's only a month.

jessakris

jjhindermann:

I'll just keep holding him... We do have a Moby wrap, but I've had troubles geting it to work right...

Thanks for all of the advice, ladies, you are awesome!

What's the problem? I'm a bit of a Moby ninja. Are you having trouble getting it on properly? Tight enough?

 

vivisoul

IMHO anytime is too soon for CIO.  Babies cannot be spoiled, they're supposed to be held for the first few months.

SparkleTart

My LO doesn't cry so much as fuss.  We tried to put him in his crib the other night instead of the bassinet to see if he would fall asleep there and he was screaming in 10 minutes!  So operation Fuss It Out at 3 weeks was a fail.  DH is concerned about 'spoiling' too, but I can't stand to let him just fuss without trying to soothe him.  Good to know that it is impossible to spoil them when they're this young and that CIO shouldn't be attempted this early

ZoeyMarie

jessakris:

jjhindermann:

I'll just keep holding him... We do have a Moby wrap, but I've had troubles geting it to work right...

Thanks for all of the advice, ladies, you are awesome!

What's the problem? I'm a bit of a Moby ninja. Are you having trouble getting it on properly? Tight enough?

 

I just can't get it to fit right and have a hard time getting him fit INTO it once I do have it wrapped & on...

ZoeyMarie

Mayoral04:

Spoiled? He's only a month.

Please, just keep your comments to yourself if they are not helpful. Thanks!