When do they learn (CIO??)

mbjmaybebaby

When do babies associate that when they cry they will be picked up?  When do you start letting them CIO a bit?

TIA!!

LisaMarisa

Most people dont start before 4 or 6 months.  Before that, when they are crying it is because they need you, even if they just need you to comfort them.

That said, with 3 babies, you cant always pick them up the second they start crying.  A few minutes of crying wont hurt them.  The CIO rules are more for naps and bedtime.

sommerrayne

I think the association between crying and getting needs met is innate. It starts at birth.

I wouldn't CIO until 6ish months (especially if they were premie) and with 3 babies that's going to be challenging as I'm sure they don't all eat, poop, pee, have gas on the same schedule.

Maybe the multis board would have some suggestions of sleep training with multis?

Good luck!

mbjmaybebaby

Thanks ladies.  They are sleeping fine through the night but during the day they LOVE to be held all the time and tend to cry when they're put down.  I was just curious but knew it was probably too soon for CIO.

 

perry7285

the general rule as i understand it is that when they're newborns you want them to learn that when they cry you will pick them up. it makes them feel safe and helps them bond with you. if you choose that you want to let them CIO, CIO experts say to wait until they are six months old.

perry7285

another thing--it sounds like they maybe have colic (defined as excessive crying) if they cry when they are put down. if that's the case, it will clear up at three months past their due date. our baby was quite a crier at first, but it cleared up at three months past his due date just like the books said it would.

if it's colic you just need to get through it! don't worry that picking them up will perpetuate it. we held our son constantly and his colic cleared up just fine.