XP: Experience with CIO

Eitak82

DS is 4 months and until now has slept swaddled. We decided to attempt sleep training because he was previously STTN, but has started to wake 13 times each night not for food, diaper, etc and because we need to stop swaddling as he has started rolling back to tummy, but can't go the other way. We know he's at the young end of the suggested age for sleep training, but decided to give it a try now based on feedback from others on The Bump who have had success with CIO.

We just started last night, so it's too soon to say whether it's going well or not, but I have a question for those with experience. Did you initially notice LO waking up from sleep in the morning and from naps more upset than usual? DS usually wakes pretty happily, but this morning and today has been waking up upset/crying. Just wondering what experiences others had.

Thanks!

[Deleted User]

LalaMama81:

I'm sure you realize that 4 months is an extremely common time for sleep regression. And that cio isn't recommended for 4 month olds. And that even if a baby previously Sttn and didn't need to eat, that it can change.

This. Oh and 1 to 3 wakings is not bad for a 4 month old.

NoelBird

I was in the same situation at 4 months, DS was waking every 45 minutes all night long, either breaking his swaddle or losing his nuky. One night at 4.5 months he pushed me to the edge, he refused to go to sleep, he had been up for 6 hours and it was 2 in the morning. I had already researched Ferber's method and decided that was it, he was getting sleep trained. I know he was on the younger end of the recommended age but it worked really well for us.

I didn't notice a change in his temperament but at 4 months he almost always woke up cranky. It wasn't until he was fully sleep trained that he started waking up happy. Once he was used to putting himself back to sleep in the middle of the night he stopped waking up upset that he was alone in his crib. Now if he wakes up crying I know it is because he didn't get enough sleep. I let him fuss/cry and he usually goes back to sleep in under a minute. If he wakes up happy and talking his sleep was sufficient.

I know sleep training is tough but it is worth it. Good luck!

Eitak82

Thank you for your feedback! I do completely understand that sleep training at this age is not the right choice for all families, but I did feel that it was the right choice for us right now. I understand that being tired comes with the territory, but as he had previously been sleeping well and his demeanor had changed drastically as a result of his interrupted sleep, I thought it was time to try to help him get the rest he needed. I believe that everyone makes the decisions they feel are best for their children and I respect that this would not be the right choice for others, despite the fact that it seemed our best option right now.

That being said, on night 2, DS woke up 5 times although I think he may have just been making sleep cycle transitions 3 of those times. He cried for 14 minutes total including putting him down for the night and maxed out at 3 minutes. Thankfully, he also woke this morning and from his first nap his normal, happy self.

Thank you all again for your input and your feedback!