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AP Mom turned CIO convert

LiluBeeLiluBee
in Babies: 6 - 9 Months

 I really only want to share this because there might be a few moms out there who were on the fence about trying a sleep training program for onereason or another, but especially because they are nervous about hearing their baby cry.  Which I totally get and never considered doing it myself until a great conversation with my doctor about it.  Just wanted to offer my experience.  It's not right for everyone.

I write "AP" lightly, I've never totally subscribed to any one style but AP is the closest label for me.  With my first child who is now 4.5 years old, I was totally against/unable to do any sort of CIO or sleep training.  I was terrified of harming him or breaking our bond.  I had the luxury of staying home with him and had all the time in the world to rock and nurse and soothe and take co-naps.  To this day, we still have to sing him to sleep in his bed before we can leave his room.

With my 6 month old, it seemed like he was going to be the opposite.  He was great at sleeping at first and then he slowly regressed to the point where he took two 30 min naps a day and woke up every hour to nurse at night.  Whether we were co-sleeping, starting out in the crib, etc.  I would try for an hour or more to put him down while my 4.5 year old would scream for my attention, infuriating me.  I became so sleep deprived that my anxiety shot through the roof.  My doctor, who is amazing recommended three books, Healthy Sleep Habits Happy Child, The No Cry Sleep Solution and a Dr. Sears book (forgot the title).  I read the first two and my gut told me Healthy Sleep Habits Happy Child was the way to go.  And wow, WHAT a difference.  My little cat napper takes 2 two hour naps.  He cries a bit going down, a protest cry and then puts himself to sleep.  At night he only wakes up 1-2 times and I nurse him because those night feedings are still important to him and me.  This sleep "training" has saved us.   The whole family dynamic has improved because we are no longer centered around sleep deprivation. 

 

Thanks for reading.  Hope everyone is enjoying their little babes!

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Re: AP Mom turned CIO convert

  • McAllie5McAllie5
    Glad this worked for you! IMO, AP is about doing what you feel is best for your LO. If that is CIO, then ok. That's really similar to our story, too. DS was waking every hour at night and it was miserable on me. But think about it: he wasn't getting good quality sleep, either. Solving Your Child's Sleep Problems worked for us, but it won't work for every baby. Now DS goes down awake, watches me leave, and falls asleep. On very rare occasions, he may cry for 5 minutes or so. To anyone doing CIO, I highly recommend reading the book first as there is more involved to it than you might think. :)
    <a href="http://s1226.photobucket.com/albums/ee419/McAllie5/?action=view
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  • junebride060306junebride060306 member
    I never thought I'd be able to or want to try CIO, but it got to a point where I was so sleep deprived, anxiety ridden and depressed that something had to be done! Now LO sleeps great, and so do I. I am a better mommy and LO is just as happy as before, if not happier or bond is totally as tight as ever. 
    Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker
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  • Jeremy'sMomJeremy'sMom member

    I can't wait to start sleep training.  DS started out sleeping great, and then the four month wakeful happened.  Ever since he has regressed a lot at night.  First it was getting up once, then twice, now it is three times or more.  Last night he was up every hour for a while.

    He shares our room for now so our plan is to start sleep training when DH goes on layoff for the winter, (he works seasonally).  We figure it will be about 3 more weeks, and I can't wait, I am so exhausted!

    Proud mom to Jeremy (10/24/08) and Gabriel (4/25/11)
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  • kewltifkewltif member
    imageJeremy'sMom:

    I can't wait to start sleep training.  DS started out sleeping great, and then the four month wakeful happened.  Ever since he has regressed a lot at night.  First it was getting up once, then twice, now it is three times or more.  Last night he was up every hour for a while.

    He shares our room for now so our plan is to start sleep training when DH goes on layoff for the winter, (he works seasonally).  We figure it will be about 3 more weeks, and I can't wait, I am so exhausted!

    In my personal opinion I would do it sooner rather than later. I felt like DH and I kept coming up with reasons to delay it such as: his parents were visiting that weekend, DH had a rough week at working coming up, etc. I finally snapped one morning after being up ALL NIGHT with DD and was like, no more putting this off! We are doing this now. I set up shop in the guest room for a few days, and it honestly wasn't that bad at all. It was only bad the first day. When I thought back of all the nights I spent not sleeping, another night of not sleeping to do the sleep training really wasn't the end of the world.

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  • WundervollWundervoll
    imageMcAllie5:
    Glad this worked for you! IMO, AP is about doing what you feel is best for your LO. If that is CIO, then ok. That's really similar to our story, too. DS was waking every hour at night and it was miserable on me. But think about it: he wasn't getting good quality sleep, either.

     

    I agree. And I'm glad it worked for you guys!

    I get that most AP parents are very anti-CIO, but I've always thought "Attachment Parenting" was just a fancy title for following your gut instincts (whatever that may be). It seems like some people think it means you do X, Y & Z with your baby.

    We are not doing CIO with our daughter right now, but it also isn't necessary. DD sleeps fine and so do we. If that changes then we will look into doing some kind of sleep training.

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  • kevambkevamb

    I could have written the same post. DH and I were so against letting dd cry at night but she was sleeping with us and up almost evry hour to nurse at 8 mos. It was too much for me. DH supported me with CIO and LO responded so well. She sleeps in her crib and cries for maybe 5 -10 mins and drifts off to sleep. We are sleeping so much better!

     

    Smiles!

    A

    MFI DH-diagnosed with cancer- had an unrelated bone marrow transplant 1st IVF-cancelled 2 embryos BFN 1st FET cycle started 2010- BFP Please Please Stick! Baby girl born 2011
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