Sleep help from those who did not CIO

I did CIO (my own version) when DD was about 11 mo. Then we went on vacation and the week before her birthday she got very upset about bedtime and screamed when I put her in the crib and would wake up for hours during the night. I was so sleep deprived (and about 3 months prego), so I started rocking her to sleep again

So here I am DD is just about 14 mo, and although I am LOVING the rocking her to sleep...I need to be able to just put her down and say goodnight when the new baby comes. What are some things you did, besides CIO?? Thanks for any suggestions you may have!

Re: Sleep help from those who did not CIO

one of us would lie on the floor next to the crib til he fell asleep. he was onto us so he'd pop up to check we were still there, but it was a stage lasting a month or so. we never did cio and he's now 3.

Re: Sleep help from those who did not CIO

We did a really strict bedtime routine, dinner at 630, play (quietly), bath at 730, then a few short books in the dimly lit room and BF for a bit then into the crib. We did a VERY mild form of CIO. DH and I would take turns going back in about every 5 mins and either rub her back (if she was willing to lay down, sometimes yes sometimes no) or we'd take her out and rock her in the dark room. We wouldn't turn on lights and didn't speak much aside from saying "It's time to go night night". After a minute or two we'd leave again.

Some nights we'd rock her until she was asleep but we'd try really hard to put her down awake. It was slow going but she finally got it. I know how hard it is! DD didn't STTN until around 13 months (and even then she'd usually get up once and quickly BF back to sleep). I was super against CIO and didn't do it at all until she was a year old.