Pre-baby, my husband and I decided you didn’t need to reply to every cry the baby produced. Theeeeen we saw his adorable face and we were instantly at his beck and call. The first few weeks, he was an amazing sleeper and I had been waking him up every 3 hrs to feed (first time mom).
After a month or so, he’d only nap if you held him, otherwise he was up in a half hour (if you held him, he’d nap for at least 2-3 hours). I started wearing him for his naps, but if I didn’t rock and walk him to sleep, he wouldn’t fall asleep.
By four months, I made it my mission to get the kid on a consistent nap schedule AND in his crib. IT WAS A FIGHT until we got a consistent nap routine. After a few weeks of diaper change, getting into nap clothes, and reading through a short book twice it took 10 mins of rocking until I could put him in his bassinet asleep. Then, in 30 mins he’d be up. EVERY TIME. I read books about the ‘no cry’ methods. Didn’t help.
By six months, he was napping in his crib. My husband was home with him for a few days while I was at a family event that we weren’t ready for the baby to fly to. Somehow I this time, my husband had gotten the baby to sleep 1-1.5 hrs for one of his naps. AMAZING! But, he grew more and more aware of being put down and would instantly wake up the moment he left your arms.
My husband grew frustrated that he wasn’t able to put the baby to sleep on his own. The baby also began waking more frequently at night. Some nights, it was every hour between 8-midnight then once more between midnight and 7am. We were exhausted. The baby was now 7 months going in 8 months old. He should be sleeping better, not worse.
So we finally did it. A modified cry it out. It was painful, but not as bad as not sleeping. I’ll write another post on our exact method, how much crying, and how long until he got with the program.
At 9 months, he maybe wakes up once during the night (I’m still breastfeeding and don’t wish to wean this night feeding yet). His naps are consistently 1-3 hrs with an occasional 30 min nap if he’s slept really well previously. We’re also able to put him in his crib easily and not go in for every cry. He still cries, but it’s usually less than 5 minutes with an occasional 10-15 minutes unless he really needs something. He knows we will come in if he is hungry, gassy, messy diaper, hurting teeth or just really can’t get back to sleep. He still has a secure attachment with me and will go off and explore with children and strangers. All my fears have proven to be unnecessary AND we’re sleeping!
What’s your best tip to get your babies sleeping??