When Do You Let Him Cry It Out??

Well, everyone has different notions about this, but my opinion is that babies have to learn to go to sleep on their own, and letting them cry (for the purpose of letting them learn how to go back to sleep alone) is not bad or damaging. You have definitely started a habit by going to him at night, and that is understandable since he was sick. Now you will have to bite the bullet and NOT give him a bottle to get him to go back to sleep. I suggest you go to him every 5-10 minutes, if he is crying (and really upset crying, not just moaning) and pat his back and say something nice, but don't stay more than one-two minutes. If he is quiet at all, then start the clock over. This will teach him that you are still there for him but this is something you can't (and won't) do for him. Their memories are about 7 days at this age, so it may take up to a week for this to work, although I think that estimate is high. Whatever you do, don't give in and give him a bottle or take him to your bed or rock him, etc., because babies are smart and he will learn that he may have to cry for two hours, but eventually you will give in. Consistency is the key. It is hard. You might go to bed when he does for the first few nights to be sure you get some sleep. Also, try starting over a weekend or when your husband can help so you don't lose your mind. Good luck!

Hello, M.!
Just when you think you're child is sleeping through the night regularly they begin to have night waking spells! There are so many things that can cause a child to wake at night. They have shorter sleep cycles and reach the lighter sleep more often than an adult. Things like teething, learning new skills and eventually night terrors can cause wakings. Knowing when your child is old enough to learn to soothe himself is hard to say. I think you know your child best and are the best judge of when you think they are capable. Moms are wired to respond to baby cries, so it will be very hard to listen to him!!

If you haven't tried this yet, I'd suggest waiting a bit before going into comfort him. See how long he cries. Maybe he'll go back to sleep within 5 or 10 minutes (which will seem like an eternity). If he's not soothing himself, maybe you can try backing off gradually. Start with no bottle next time. Then transistion to holding him for less time until you are just standing by his crib and rubbing his back. It's also a good idea to not talk, no eye contact and keep the lights off, etc. No stimulation or attention will help him get back to sleep quicker and teach him that it is no fun to wake up in the middle of the night. Passing him off onto your husband, like someone else suggested, is a great idea, too.

Sleep training usually isn't an easy, quick solution and may require some patience and a bit of sleep deprivation on your part until he is back in the groove again. If you want to read all about helping your child sleep, you might try, "Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child" by Marc Weissbluth.

Good luck!
J.

I had the same thing with my oldest. If he had been getting up when he was sick he would get into the habit. I would let him go (without going in to give a bottle) and would also go up to an hour. Usually only took one or two nights before he was back to his old self.

Hi M.!

Im going through the same thing w/ my 7 month old. Some nights he does great 7:00-4:30 then after only about 10 minutes he is asleep again and sleeps until about 7-7:30. Then the inlaws came and now he gets up a few times a night. I have been turning his baby monitor way down and i let him cry it out for up to an hour. after that if he is still crying then ill go in there and feed him, but he tires himself out by crying so he falls asleep pretty fast. Occasionally around 2 or so ill here him mummbling and give out a few quips but then he settles back down. He has only slept once through the night so far! Its really hard to hear him cry but he has to do it on his own. Another thing i have is the baby oceans aquarium. It attaches to his crib and it lights up and plays soothing music. he has learned how to push the clam (on button) to start and hell push it w/ his feet and that puts him back to sleep also.

Hope I helped a little!
Happy Hilliday!
J.

My oldest went through a spell like this when she was about a year. The way that I helped to stop it was instead of giving a warm bottle (like she likes), I was giving her a cold one. Didn't like that. She then realized that there wasn't much to get up for. I kept the lights off and didn't let her think it was play time. My youngest (13 months) is now teething and has been getting up. We stopped the bottle and just held her for a few minutes then put her back to sleep while she was still awake. She realized nothing was going on and fell back to sleep.

The other idea that worked was handing them over to my husband. Somehow the comfort of daddy isn't as soothing so they would just go back to sleep.

I had a hard time with the crying issue as well but I believe it is to each their own with what they can deal with. I'd just modify what you are doing and see if that helps.