CIO at Naptime

Tayrusso

Hi ladies.  I don't post over here often, but I am in need of some help today!  We have been using CIO for a little over a week.  DD adjusted very quickly and her nighttime sleep is great.  Naptime, on the otherhand, is a nightmare. 

I keep finding conflicting guidelines for using CIO at naptime.  One website said use the same visit increments used at nighttime; another website said if the baby is still crying after 30 minutes, they're not tired; and I just found another website that said put the baby down and do not go in for two hours, even if she's crying the whole time. 

It is very stressful and heartbreaking.  I know DD is exhausted, she just will not sleep on her own at naptime.  So I was hoping some of you ladies could share your experience with CIO at naptime.  Thanks!   

tokenhoser

Scout2005:

I would really recommend Ferber, if you haven't read it already.

I agree. I feel better following one person (that I've decided I can agree with) rather than cobbling too much together.We do the same as Scout, but if he hasn't napped after 30 min I usually put him in the carrier so he will.

Tayrusso

Scout2005:

Well, I believe in CIO when necessary, but there is no way in hell my baby is crying for two hours and I'm not going in to her.

We do CIO at naps in the same intervals we did for bed time - five minutes at first, ten after that. Bedtime she figured quickly, and the longest it took was three go ins. Naps, I give it 30 minutes total, not including when I go in, and if she still won't sleep I get her up. 

We've been following the nighttime increments at naptime, and pick her up after 30-60 minutes (depending on the type of cry).  I agree with you about the two hour method, I thought that was very extreme.  I guess we'll just keep doing what we're doing and give it more time; it's just hard on the days that she won't nap at all or for 25 minutes at most.  :-(

Ernie52408

Some babies just suck at naps. You just have to figure out what works best for you and your LO.

For night sleep we used Ferber and it worked wonderfully. For naptime though I discovered checking at intervals just pissed him off and he would never settle down for a nap. Ferber suggests ending the nap after 30 minutes, but I always let him go for 45. DS seemed to always fall asleep right at the 30-35 minute mark. Every baby is different and will respond differently to sleep training.

GL!

lbursey

Ferber says to pick them up after 30 minutes.  The reason is their circadian rhythm.  I've noticed LO can be extremely tired sometimes but if he stays awake for 30 minutes past that he's all of a sudden back to normal again.  

Naps have been tough for us too and we've given into the pacifier again.  We try to put him down without it and we let him fuss for about 15 minutes to see if he will sleep on his own.  If he doesn't, we go in and give him the paci.  We NEVER give in at bedtime though and he's usually much better at going to sleep on his own...very little fussing, if any.  I just can't stomach letting him cry for 30 minutes every time we put  him down for a nap.

maddie789

We pick DS up after 30 minutes also... but DS also doesn't sleep well in the crib PERIOD, so I may not be a good test case. During that 30 minutes we will go in a few times to soothe (although it seems that just makes him that much more sad!).