If you successfully CIO, can you tell me...

how long it took? How many days and how long did they cry each time?

I think i may need to CIO. At 10 months, bedtime is becoming challenging (it's a separation thing i think). I don't know what else to do - he's sleepy, eyes closed on my lap but as soon as he' in the crib, screams (naps too, only for me, not with my parents).

I tried CIO yesterday but broke down. He was crying, trying to pull up, practically looking into the camera, but when he started banging his head into the unprotected corner, I couldn't do it anymore.

Just want to know how it went for others to give me some strength.

ETA: he's 10.5 months. He was able to self-soothe, always put down drowsy (from 2 months). Same bedtime routine since 6 weeks old. STTN (10-12 hours)since 4 months. Now (past 2 weeks) he's also had a few nights where he wakes crying. Truth be told, I'm not convinced yet he needs to CIO but I'm slowly heading that way.

Message edited 8/17/2010 12:57:50 PM.

Re: If you successfully CIO, can you tell me...

Just tried today for DS's nap. First nap- I went in and got him after 5 minutes, but noticed he was very sleepy. Second nap he cried for 14 minutes and fell to sleep. It was a lot easier then I had ever thought. Let's see if it continues to work. I don't want to jinx myself.

Re: If you successfully CIO, can you tell me...

Honestly for us it took ONE week, and got a little easier each night. By far the hardest week of his first year, but you HAVE to remember, you are not harming or torturing your child, you are TEACHING him to self-soothe, a very important life skill
There was a great thread on here (written by summerlyn i think???) about how to do it (timing, etc). You'll need a watch, and maybe earplugs but it WILL work!!!

My DH could NOT hack it, his nerves were shot - so I made him go out to the local bar each night that week while *I* did the CIO stuff

Re: If you successfully CIO, can you tell me...

my suggestion is not for CIO, but it's too let him fall into a deeper sleep on your lap this way he won't notice the transition.

this is what I do every night with my son, and if I disconnect from him too soon he wakes up. I usually wait a good ten minutes from the last time he fussed in his sleep. when I carry him to the crib he's as limp as a dishrag. he doesn't notice the transition at all.

Re: If you successfully CIO, can you tell me...

If I remember correctly, I did CIO for bed first. The first night he cried about 45 minutes. The second night he cried maybe 25. And by the third night he didn't cry at all.

When that was a success I did CIO for naps. And I don't remember it being all that much crying. Maybe 10 minutes?

Re: If you successfully CIO, can you tell me...

We did CIO for bed first, and naps just followed easily.

The first night he cried for 30 minutes. The second night he cried for 15/20 minutes. The third night, maybe 5? Not even. And since then he's been the most amazing sleeper.

Re: If you successfully CIO, can you tell me...

It took about a week for my kids. I had to do CIO for all three.

My son cried for HOURS, but we didn't do it with him until he was about 11 months. The girls were both about 6 months, and only cried for maybe 30 minutes.

Re: If you successfully CIO, can you tell me...

Message edited 8/17/2010 12:28:38 PM.

Re: If you successfully CIO, can you tell me...

Night #1

cried 10 minutes
slept 11 hours, 15 minutes
cried out 2x during night for <1 minute

Night #2

cried 8 minutes
slept 11 hours, 10 minutes
cried out 2x during night for <1 minute

Night #3

cried 10 minutes
slept 10 hours
cried out 2x during night for <1 minute

Night #4

cried 1 minute, 50 seconds
slept 10 hours
did not cry out during night


naps were a lot more difficult, but stick to it!

now logan goes to sleep at 8:30 and sleeps 10 hours until 6:30. he doesn't cry for more than a minute or two! and we kept at it for naps and now he takes two 2-hour naps and cries for maybe 5 minutes at most when he goes down for his nap... usually not at all.

Re: If you successfully CIO, can you tell me...

Posted by colette

Honestly for us it took ONE week, and got a little easier each night. By far the hardest week of his first year, but you HAVE to remember, you are not harming or torturing your child, you are TEACHING him to self-soothe, a very important life skill
There was a great thread on here (written by summerlyn i think???) about how to do it (timing, etc). You'll need a watch, and maybe earplugs but it WILL work!!!

My DH could NOT hack it, his nerves were shot - so I made him go out to the local bar each night that week while *I* did the CIO stuff

Re: If you successfully CIO, can you tell me...

At 4 months , we did CIO for bedtime sleep. It took about 3 days, pretty textbook. Then we tackled naps.

After that, I can literally plop him in the crib when he's wide awake and he puts himself to sleep. I NEVER have to sit with him, rock him, hold him, etc.... he goes to sleep on his own. Bedtime takes seconds to do instead of minutes or longer. IMO, that's the best way to do it.

Only when he's teething or not feeling well, will he be clingy or need more comfort to go to sleep.

Re: If you successfully CIO, can you tell me...