CIO question...

MommyMegs

Does anyone know the reasoning behind waiting until 6 months to CIO?  I hate the thought of having my DC CIO, but my husband is ready after several weeks of sleepless nights.  I told him I would like to wait until 6 months, but couldn't really provide hard facts as to why.  Can anyone help me explain the reasoning behind waiting until 6 months?  Thank you for your help!

Meg41208

babies don't develop the capacity to self-soothe until about 6 months.

how old is your LO? 

ML*

I think I remember reading two reasons:  one is because developmentally they may not be ready to self-soothe; ie they still have physical needs and you want to make sure you are not leaving them wet, burpy, etc.  By 6 months you kind of know if something is really wrong or if they just feel like crying

 I think the other is that you dont want them to get a feeling of abandonment early on although I dont know if I believe that one as much.

MommyMegs

DS is 5 months old and I am dreading CIO...but he just won't sleep.  He has been waking up 9-10 times a night.  I am tired!!!! 

Superchicy

Pretty much what PP both said.  If you try it before they are ready developmentally then you are just beating your head against a wall and torture everyone in the family.  It's also not like 6 months is a "magic" age.  We did CIO at 6months and multiple other forms of sleep training after that with DD (who got up 8-10 times a night regularly) and we didn't see results until 13 mo, she just was not ready no matter how much we wanted sleep. 

Ttimes3

Have you read Ferber's book, Solve Your Child's Sleep Problems? Perhaps more importantly, has your DH?

MommyMegs

Yes, I did a ton of reading/research on sleep training when I had DC1.  But the sleepless nights are making me forget some of the details this time around . 

Ttimes3

MommyMegs:

Yes, I did a ton of reading/research on sleep training when I had DC1.  But the sleepless nights are making me forget some of the details this time around . 

I hear you. DS2 still wakes all.the.time, overnight, to eat; however, I just keep telling myself that it won't last forever. In fact, before I realize it, he'll be a toddler like my oldest.

mag2point0

I just wanted to say that this post makes me feel better, because I'm in the same boat. DD does go to sleep well, but when she's hungry, she's hungry. And, she's hungry several times a night. One day I'll get a good night's sleep!