I never thought I would be a CIO mom - NEVER. But, I have come to realize that every child need something different, and, as a mom, it is our job to find the right solutions for our children.
My daughter had gotten to the point that every single time we would get her all the way to sleep in our arms, let her rest until she was out cold, and then put her down she woudl wake up and cry. We tried drowsy but awake, we tried, out cold, we tried everything. Finally we realized that we were going about things the wrong way. By insisting that our daughter fall asleep with us and then waking her up, even accidentally, when she was asleep we were robbing her of sleep and comfort.
So, we tried to let her CIO. We did it in the most empathetic way we knew how, we comforted her every few minutes, we put a time limit more for ourselves than anything, and we gave her every tool she could use - she was drowsy, there was a paci, her comfort noise was on, etc.
While I never thought I would be a CIO mom it has turned out to be the very best thing for OUR daughter. She rarely cries when we put her to sleep now, and rarely for more than 3 mins, she sleeps better and longer...
So I know people are quick to judge but please, consider that every mom is doing the best she can and trying to find all the best solutions for their children.
Re: In defense of CIO
I agree 100%. I had to do CIO with DD after weeks of crying and not falling asleep until midnight or falling asleep and waking when I put her in bed. The first night (the worst) my mom came over and helped me not go in and pick her up. She cried 30 min max with me going in to comfort her periodically but not pick her up. The last week to week and a half she hasn't made a peep when she went to sleep for naps or at night. She sleeps longer and better.
I never thought I would be a CIO mom but it has worked for us.
I agree.
Also, your daughter is super cute.