I know there is a ton of info in the archives about whether or not to let your baby cry it out and I dont want to start a whole new debate on that, but I do have a question about the "how to's" of CIO. Everything I have read here refers to doing CIO at bedtime. My son is 4 and a half months old and still nurses before bed. He ususally falls asleep nursing. He wakes up in the middle of the night to nurse again and usually goes right back to sleep. Sometimes we have really good nights when he only wakes up once or twice, but other times he wakes up 9-10 times and I eventually go to sleep with him in a bed in his room. (my DH really does not want my DS in the bed with us) If I decide to use the CIO method, Im wondering if I can do it at naptime instead of bedtime? If I do it only nap times (or in the middle of the night after he has eaten) will it work? Or do I have to do it at bedtime too? Im hoping if I can teach him to fall asleep on his own at other times, when Im ready to drop the before bedtime nursing, he will be used to it and make the transition fine.

By Momaroze on Saturday, April 3, 2004 - 11:50 am:

I am in the same boat as you. Ds is 4.5 months old too! One day at a time, some evenings I wonder if I can get to the next hour without falling asleep! I heard/read that CIO is not a good idea until baby is at least 6 months.

By Sunny on Saturday, April 3, 2004 - 12:03 pm:

I would strongly suggest to you that you hold off on trying CIO until your son is at least 6 months old. At this age, it is normal to have some nights when he wakes 2 - 3 times and other nights when he wakes more often. Those nights he wakes often could be because he is having a growth spurt or teething pain.

By Trina~moderator on Saturday, April 3, 2004 - 12:48 pm:

I agree with Sunny. Even Ferber recommends waiting until a baby is at least 6 mos. before CIO. If and when you do decide to go that route you need to do it at both nap and bed times. Otherwise it defeats the purpose and philosophy of the approach. Of course you do need to be sensitive to normal developmental issues that tend to disturb sleep - growth spurts, illnesses, teething, separation anxiety, etc..

I used to be an advocate of the CIO method, because it worked well with DS, but then baby #2 came along. LOL! The decision as to whether to CIO or not differs for each family and even for each individual child. Bottom line, do what YOU think is right for YOUR child.

By Coopaveryben on Saturday, April 3, 2004 - 09:19 pm:

Have you started cereal yet? That will usaully sustain them a little longer at night, of course if your ped. has said you can start.

I don't see anything wrong with CIO, it is a personal choice but I agree with the other ladies 4 months is a bit too young.