The girls are 6+ months old and are going through some sleep "issues" to say the least. They used to nap. I wouldn't say they napped consistently or they napped for long periods of time, but they did use to take 3 or 4 small to medium naps throughout the day. That isn't happening this week. Also, at night, they're pretty good sleepers but have gotten in the habit of waking around 4am. Better yet, we've gotten in the habit of rocking them back to sleep when they wake at 4am. Three nights ago, I decided we weren't going to do that anymore. So, when they wake I've been popping the paci, rubbing their backs and they've gone back to sleep...kind of. They continue to take turns waking up every 20 or 30 minutes until wake up time around 7:30. So, I haven't had much sleep in over 72 hours and with the huge lack of napping I haven't gotten any work done either (i'm WAHM). I know they're going through all kinds of changes right now, what with getting ready to crawl and sitting up and all. But part of me is thinking this isn't just a phase and I need to nip it in the bud. So, in comes CIO. My questions: 1) Do I start CIO with naps or bedtime? FWIW, they sleep in separate PNPs for naps but in the same room. At bedtime, they sleep in the same crib in our room. 2) Since they're in the same crib at night, do I follow the regular CIO schedule and let them get used to sleeping while the other is crying? Or do I have to separate them? They really do seem to love sleeping in the same bed, so I'd hate to have to do that; but if that's what it takes to banish crankiness from my house... 3) If I'm leaving them in the co-bed, how much longer can I expect this process to take than if I'm not? Or would doing it at naptime be better at first because of the co-bed situation at night? I appreciate any help you can give! I'm SO not looking forward to this, but I REALLY need to sleep and to get some work done! Today, with cranky tired babies double-teaming me all day long, it became very obvious why they come out so freaking cute! It's a necessity for the survival of the species!! Laura
1) Do I start CIO with naps or bedtime? FWIW, they sleep in separate PNPs for naps but in the same room. At bedtime, they sleep in the same crib in our room. I would try naptime first, then after that works, move on to bedtime. 2) Since they're in the same crib at night, do I follow the regular CIO schedule and let them get used to sleeping while the other is crying? Or do I have to separate them? They really do seem to love sleeping in the same bed, so I'd hate to have to do that; but if that's what it takes to banish crankiness from my house... IDK how it will work with your kiddos, but mine learned to block each other out. 3) If I'm leaving them in the co-bed, how much longer can I expect this process to take than if I'm not? Or would doing it at naptime be better at first because of the co-bed situation at night? IDK, I didt use a co-sleeper, but I would suggest nap time first! HTH! Good luck!!
Thanks for the quick reply Heather! I'm leaning toward naptime myself, but DH isn't so sure. I should clarify though. They don't sleep in the cosleeper anymore. When I said "co-bed" i meant that they sleep in the same bed. Sorry for any confusion. Looking forward to everyone's advice!
I just wanted to comment that my boys sleep WAY better in their own cribs than they did together. I was sad to separate them at the time but now I don't regret it for a minute. Now I'm going to get a black-out blind for our spare room and set the pack and play up in there so I can put them in separate rooms for naps. Yesterday they were separated for naps because Evan had a doctor's appointment and I didn't want to disturb James when Evan and I came home. James slept 2 hours on his own (usual is 45 minutes). That's enough for me - I'm trying separate rooms for naps! They can bond while they're awake. I need them to sleep during naps!
We too have decided the time has come with CIO, what with the babies being six months, and starting solids. It's unbeleivalble...my DS has slept 7-7 without waking twice this week, after waking 2-3 times per night ALWAYS! I really don't feel guilty letting them cry now, but won't do it more than 15 minutes at this point. Ours have never slept in the same crib since 2.5 months, and it's better for them. Since getting back from a two week vacation in July, I have been really pushing the nap schedule, and thought for sure they'd sleep better in separate rooms. Well, I did that the past week and a half, and then yesterday, I decided to put Owen in the nursery with Lilly, and he took a two hour nap! Usually it's 30-40 minutes. They really do sleep through each other's crying, and even if the do hear it, for Owen anyways, it's comforting to hear, and he'll fall asleep. I'm sure all babies are different when it comes to this stuff, but I'm becoming more and more of a beleiver in "sleep scheduling" and the whole "Healthy Sleep Habits Happy CHild" book. Oh, and after two weeks of more rigid nap times, I can put them in their cribs, and they were both asleep for the morning nap within 10 minutes of crying. I really do beleive consistency is the key. This is probably a very scattered response, but hope it provided some help
Do they have any teeth yet? It could very well be more of a teething issue, at least it was for me. Teething can really disrupt their sleep. Lily was always a great napper, (1-2hrs.), then all of a sudden her naps were only 30mins!!! This went on for several days, then I noticed her first tooth cut through on the bottom! (she was 7 1/2 mos.) After that, she was fine again. As far as the CIO, I did it with Lily at about the same age. But I decided to move her in another room in the pnp to do it (for naps and nighttime), because Michael was not having any problems. Now she's back in the room with him (in her own crib) and IF one of them wakes in the night they sleep through each other's cries and self soothe back to sleep.
I know this proably sounds totally dumb but I dont get to come on here as much as I would like. What is CIO?? I know dumb! I see it all the time on here. but I'm thinking I might have the same kinds of question. My girls are sleeping in seperate bassinets right now and im moving the crib downstairs to my room tomorrow but do you think it will be ok to have them in the same crib?? I dont even have 2 cribs yet?? or should I maybe let one sleep in the play pen and one in the crib?? for naps they usually sleep together on the florr on a balnks or on my bed but they have been really good for sleeping through the night in their own beds so should I keep it that way? are they too big to even put in a crib together anyways???
Here is a TwinWiki entry about CIO that may help you. [wiki]Cry_It_Out_Sleep_Training_%28CIO%29[/wiki]
Like I said before, i would start with naps, then in about a week, move to nighttime. Nighttime is harder than nap time, it was for me at least. If they bother each other then i would seperate them, but if they dont, let them share. I had something else to add, but my brain is not functioning right, right now... So if I remember Ill come back!
QUOTE(Laura in Alaska @ Aug 10 2007, 01:58 AM) [snapback]363721[/snapback] 1) Do I start CIO with naps or bedtime? Never.
I would HIGHLY recommend Marc Weissbluth's book, "Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Baby" It gives you really good guidelines for CIO and samples of other solutions! It was my bible during the first year and I have GREAT sleepers! Keep in mind that CIO (crying it out) is not for everyone! You might find that it's too hard for you, but you might find that it works well - like it did for me and my CIO was limited because it was effective!! No, not everyone agrees with this method but it has worked for many many many people and it is a good solution for some! :hug99: I recommend starting at Naps and setting a timer for 20 min. TURN OFF YOUR MONITOR - and block the noise as best you can. (Put on headphones and music or vacuum) Then, when the timer goes off, turn on the monitor and assess the situation. Are they giving up? Calming down or are they going ballistic still? You might have to soothe at this point if they are still going nutty coo-coo? I can't remember specifically, I think Weissbluth recommends 40 min. and then scrap that nap and wait for the next one (they'll be MUCH more tired). The other thing I wanted to tell you is that you can tweak their naptime a little because they might be needing a slightly different time now. It might be earlier and it might be later. (At almost 2.5, I have been tweaking our time a bit, so it's an ongoing thing!) Good luck! :hug99:
