How did you get through letting your baby cry himself to sleep?

Question

my baby is 8 months and I can't go longer then 10 minutes without picking him up when I try to let him cry himself to sleep. I feel like he thinks I'm punishing him like he's thinking "what did I do?" if he is old enough to manipulate isn't he old enough to think that?

Answer 1

I feel for you... I very rarely let my children "cry it out" usually it's if I know they are very tired and nothing else works. I'll let my 1 yr. old/3 yr. old cry... At night my 3 yr. old sleeps in a toddler bed in our room and the 1 yr. old will sometimes sleep in his crib for a few hours... I've found if I stick to a night time routine that my children will fall asleep and stay asleep... The afternoon nap is key and not to let it go for too long or getting them to sleep at night is a "nightmare". Also, if you can an evening bath does help as well as dimming the lights and reading a story... However, I rarely have time to do all those things so try a few and see what works for you... As for letting him cry... If you are like me- you forget to shower because you are wrapped in babyland.. So, when it's time to put him down.. Take a long relaxing shower and hopefully when you get out he will be asleep, and you will at least be clean if nothing else... ! It was my way of not feeling guilty and letting him cry sometimes...It's dumb, but it works.... Good luck and be well.

Answer 2

Babies go through a time where they really want and need your attention. My 11 month old son has gone through that. Once he was able to get around on his own he stopped crying to be picked up so much. He just wanted to be where we were and he couldn't do that on his own.
I've never ever let him cry it out. Babies need all the love in the world and it is a cruel thing to let them cry it out. I don't believe that you can spoil a baby with love and attention.
Get into a bed time routine. Turn down the lights and the noise lettel. Give them a bed time bath. Read a story together and sing a song.

Answer 3

I never let my kids cry it out. If if makes you that uncomfortable, don't do it. My older daughter just kind of went to bed with a story. The little one I have to hold or lay with. She still co sleeps half of the time. Different babies need different things. Trust your instincts. You need to feel good about your parenting decision. Try laying with him or reading to him and then leaving after he's fallen asleep. Yes, it's more work, but you will cherish that time when he is grown, and feel better about your decision. Whatever you decide, good luck. It's not easy.

Answer 4

I never let my son cry it out (CIO) b/c I felt it was too damaging to him as well as myself. I didn't want to, years from now, look back at this time period and regret how I did things, and I knew with CIO, I would.

CIO, in a nut shell, doesn't teach a child to soothe themself. It teaches them that no matter how much they cry, you will not come for them. The cries stop because they have given up hope that you'll come back to comfort them. Pretty sad in my opinion.

Babies will sleep better when they are physically & emotionally ready to. It took a while with my son, but now at 17 months I can look back and I don't regret how I did things. That is what it comes down to. If you don't feel right about it, then CIO is NOT for you. Try reading "The No Cry Sleep Solution". WONDERFUL book for new moms!

Answer 5

I have a almost 10 month old that just cry's every bed time and i leave him in there for a max of 20 min but do not go away from the baby monitor..It does not hurt them it is good for babies to build up there lungs more..But don't feel bad i do it too..Try giving your baby a bath or a dummy or a nice massage on your babies body.. makes them sleepy good luck with it all..be strong..

Answer 6

i know how you feel. it makes me cry, but its the only thing that has worked for us. and to all those who think it traumatizes them, my son has shown no signs in the morning of holding a grudge against me for lettin him cry the night before. They will be ok.
But it's still hard i hate doing it, but if not, it's impossible to get them to bed.

to keep me from getting upset and giving in, I leave my husband inside to listen for them and check on them (he can tolerate it better) and i go outside and work, or read . ..plus i get a little alone time.

the first week it was about 20 minutes of off & on crying. now you say "are you ready for bed" the baby gets excited runs and gets his blanket and off we go and he lays right down now. to help ease the loneliness of "crying it out" we put on a baby einstein video sometimes, & Some times my 3yr old will go in with him (they share a room) and they will 'read' books together, the baby might whine for a few minutes but then he's out.

Some people think crying it out is bad for them, But i gave in time and time again to my oldest and we still have trouble getting him to bed. and he still sneaks in our room and sleeps on the floor because i would give in and rock him to sleep or let him fall asleep in our bed, anything to keep from having to let him cry.

i don't think he's feeling like what did i do. if you lovingly put him in. they know the difference i attitudes and tones. now if you were like :"ITS BED TIME!" and walk away coldly i think he would pick up on it. Put him in his bed rub is back or belly say night night i love you...etc

sorry that was kind of long. hope it helps you feel better though. i know how you feel.

Answer 7

Simple, I wouldn't allow my child to cry it out.