CIO for naps?

Vegasbb · February 2013

I've read Ferber and Weissbluth. I'm a believer - naps are VERY important yet my son gets none. ZERO. Literally doesn't nap all day. By the end of the day he's a sobbing disaster and is cranky all day honestly.

The odd thing is, he's a great night sleeper. We put him in his crib drowsy yet awake, and he puts himself to sleep very easily (without crying, or maybe just grunting for 2 minutes). If he wakes up in the MOTN, most of the time within 5 minutes he talks himself back to sleep.

We've tried EVERYTHING to get him to take naps. We mimic the exact same bedtime routine, I've tried every time of day, yet he screams and screams and protests. When I'm rocking him to sleep for naps (or nursing him) he gets worked up and hysterical. He never does this at night, just during the day.

I haven't left him to cry yet, but I'm at my wits end! I'm scared to try CIO because I don't want to have him get scared of his crib and ruin his night sleep. I have tried all the gentle methods (No cry sleep solution, Baby whisperer) . I have even tried napping with him in my bed, but he screams about that as well.

Anyone get CIO to work for naps ? Any other suggestions?

Kimberskirby · February 2013

When my son was born, he would take like 4 hour naps. But one day around 3 months of age he just stopped napping. So, per my pedi's suggestion, for naptime after he is finished with a good feeding, I sit in my rocking chair and put him on my shoulder and rock him until he falls asleep. If he gets really upset, I just whisper in a calm voice, "its okay....mommy's here..." which eventually seems to calm him a little. At first, this was like torture, because he would scream bloody murder and expect me to get up and play with him. But after 15 minutes or so, he would realize I was not getting out of that chair and not giving in, and he would finally fall asleep. Now he cries on my shoulder for like maybe one minute and then he cuddles his little head into my neck and falls asleep after a few more minutes - it is sweet actually. He still doesn't always take fantastic naps (sometimes only 30 minutes, but also sometimes 2 hours), but he does take a few naps a day, which work wonders for his mood and I can get a few things done too.

I like this better than CIO because you aren't leaving him alone to figure it out himself. I think CIO would work, and I am not one to judge others for letting their LOs do the traditional CIO, but I personally, cannot do it (especially not at this age, but probably never knowing me). I have read all the books too and even Dr. Sears believes that letting a child cry in your arms is not the same as putting them into their bed and leaving the room and letting them CIO. I think every baby is different, and this might not work for your child, but perhaps worth a try. If you do try it - don't expect it to be easy for the first few days or week, but keep trying. GL w/ whatever you decide

Kissty · February 2013

I also believe naps are important. If my son doesn't get a good nap he's a terror so I can only imagine No naps. I know you said you've tried everything so alot of things on this list you've already probaly tried but: Swing, car ride, walking, bouncing slowly on your knee (I can't do that but it works 99% of the time for DH), stroller ride, lay down with him (maybe in your bed). Do you have anyone else who could possibly help? Just having someone else try to put him to sleep may work. Sometimes my LO realizes I'm trying to put him to sleep and he'll protest and then DH takes over and out he goes. I've never done CIO per se (unless you count his crying while I'm rocking him). Can you at least get him to have a quiet restful period, maybe that would help. Try cutting out stimulation and just rest. HTH, if I think of anything else I'll post that too. Good Luck!

Vegasbb · February 2013

Thank you for the responses! I can say I can successfully get him to fall asleep in my arms (with a LOT of crying, mind you), but once I transfer him to the crib he either wakes up immediately and screams or sleeps for all of 5-10 minutes and wakes up screaming. It's so frustrating that he sleeps great in the crib at night but refuses to do so during the day!

kateraid · February 2013

Maybe just keep him in your arms while he naps or try wearing him. My DS naps on the boppy in my lap during the day. He's a high needs baby. Yours sounds similar. Look at Dr. Sears description of a high needs baby and act accordingly. Don't force him to be alone during naps if he's not ready.

lanea8712 · February 2013

My LO used to take naps with out a problem, now he screams and crys but I know he's worn out! Usually after a bit of a fit he does like PP and cuddles in and sleeps. Bedtime is usually simple thankfully. He also wants to be held while napping, but I've found if I wrap him in a blanket while holding him, then lay him down he stays asleep. Not swaddled just wrapped around him.

ethynsegura · February 2013

I let my girl CIO for naps and night time and she sleeps SO MUCH better and is just such a happier baby:)

We made sure her room was able to get really dark during the day by putting up black out curtains, black out dividers, and nailing fabric above the curtains so the sunlight wouldn't get in the room at all. We also bought her a sound machine that is on for naps and bedtime-she likes the ocean setting. So for naps, I turn the machine on and turn off the lights and nurse her in the rocker-without rocking or singing or talking-until she starts to fall asleep and stops sucking hard then I put her down in the crib awake or asleep. If she doesn't stay asleep, I let her cry for 15 minutes then go in and try again. If she doesn't go down the second time, I go get her, abandon that nap, and try again in around 40 minutes. If she does fall asleep but wakes up crying because she cant go back to sleep by herself, I let her cry for 20 minutes and then go and get her as she just isn't sleepy anymore if she can't go back to sleep. She also sleeps on her stomach now as she rolls over even when I put her down on her back; she sleeps so much better now!! At first it was really scary and I went in a bunch of times to make sure she was still breathing but now its old hat and she is just fine. Good luck!

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