CIO?

Is 8 weeks to young to CIO? DS is still obviously needy and gets bored easily. The swing lasts about 20 minutes, he HATES tummy time. He will lay on his back on the mat for awhile, but DH says he is fed and changed let him CIO for a little. I think its too young.They still need comfort and want to be held. Am I wrong here?

What do you ladies think?

Message edited 6/1/2010 3:57:21 PM.

Re: CIO?

CIO, to me, is not an option at 8wks old. I don't think you can find a MD that would give you the OK on that.

Some recommend it as early as 4 months, but most will tell you that 6 months is the youngest you should attempt CIO.

I'm not sure what tummy time has to do with sleeping.

Do you swaddle him for naps and bedtime?

Re: CIO?

Re: CIO?

Too young for CIO. Your baby still needs to be cuddled and learn that you are always there for them.

Don't worry about the tummy time just keep trying it out. My older ds wouldn't last 30 seconds on his tummy and he is doing great now :)

Do you try the bouncy seat or an activity mat with flasing lights and music.

Message edited 6/1/2010 4:06:21 PM.

Re: CIO?

Oh, my understanding is the goal of CIO is to get them to sleep.

If your DH is suggesting to just let DS cry during the day, instead of holding him, I disagree. At 8wks old, he needs the comfort of someone holding him. Do you have a sling that you can wear him?

Most newborns want to be held and comforted most of the day. The swing is nice for some, but doesn't always work, and sometimes works when they're a bit older.

Message edited 6/1/2010 4:05:24 PM.

Re: CIO?

I did not start CIO until 6 months. Personally, I would not do it before then. JMO!

Re: CIO?

I would wait until he's 4 months old. BUT with that being said, my ped told DH and I at our DS's 2 week appointment to let him CIO for up to 20 min if he's fussing. 2 weeks old! Thankfully, we didn't follow her advice, but as FTParents, we almost did!

Re: CIO?

Way too young IMO. I'm all for CIO, but at the appropriate age.

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Re: CIO?

I just got the book:
The Baby Sleep Solution: A Proven Program to Teach Your Baby to Sleep Twelve Hours a Night

Even if your not aiming for 12 hours of STTN, it gives reasonable and realistic tools to parents who are busy and need their sleep.

It doesn't really advocate CIO at 8 weeks. It starts on things to do from week 1, how to prevent and break bad habits, etc etc.

The most obvious lesson for me was if you only give attention when the baby is crying, they will cry for attention as early as 8 weeks. So be mindful of this, and likely they wont cry just for attention but for real reasons.

Sometimes when I put DS in the crib and he doesn't want to sleep, he'll moan and whine, then oddly enough, start to play, then moan some more and fall asleep. But never really cries. I don't consider this real CIO. He's just learning to soothe himself, and as long as the screams don't escalate to the point where he's hysterical and red in the face, I think its okay.

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Yeah I thought CIO was only for sleeping also. I wouldnt start it until 6 months. It sounds like your situation is not rushing to him as soon as he wakes up or starts to cry when he's in the swing or something. He's just crying bc he's uncomfortable. At 8 weeks he still needs to know that you will be there when he's uncomfortable and needs to be held. Get a baby bjorn or sling or something. It helps sometimes. I read at 3 months babies are able to wait for you for a min or two so you dont have to drop what youre doing at that time to rush to them, but at 8 weeks I think you still do.

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Thanks ladies! I will be showing this to DH when he gets home!I tried to tell him they need comfort they want to be close to you.

Re: CIO?

Re: CIO?

At 8 weeks old, your baby needs to feel secure, and that will only come from being tended to and held. CIO is for naps and bedtime when the baby is 6 months old and up. Letting a baby 8 weeks old to CIO is way too young. If the baby is fed and changed, I would try swaddling him to help him feel secure in his bassinet/crib, if you feel he needs a nap. Also try a bouncy seat, as that has worked wonders for many other moms. Or just hold him in your arms! They are only this young for a very short time! Good luck!

Edit for spelling

Message edited 6/1/2010 4:21:37 PM.

Re: CIO?

At 8 weeks old, babies are not able to entertain themselves...they need you for that. They also can't keep their attention on something for extended periods of time. And, they need you to comfort them when they are uncomfortable.