What other options are there besides CIO?

CIO just does not work well for Nicholas. I prefer to do it where you increase the amount of time you check on him, but last night I let him go 20 minutes before peaking on him. He was flailing about in his crib looking panicky. I picked him up and he looked scared. For about an hour or so after that, the slightest noise (like crinkling paper) freaked him out. This is obviously not the way to deal with his sleep issues.

But it's driving me up a wall. I put him down around 6:30 and he's up around 7:30 and we can't get him back to sleep until 10 or 11. I've tried putting him to bed earlier, nursing him, having Dave deal with him, CIO up to an hour, laying down with him, walking, rocking, bottle of water, gas drops, tylenol, teething drops, pacifier, everything. Nothing works. I can't stand this anymore. I get zero time to recoup now. I used to savor that time between when they went to bed and when I went to bed. I'm running on empty. I don't know what to do. Nothing seems wrong with him. I'm wondering if it's bad dreams or night terrors. This has been going on for about three weeks now and it's getting worse instead of better and I'm at my wits end. Help!

 

CIO just does not work well for Nicholas. I prefer to do it where you increase the amount of time you check on him, but last night I let him go 20 minutes before peaking on him. He was flailing about in his crib looking panicky. I picked him up and he looked scared. For about an hour or so after that, the slightest noise (like crinkling paper) freaked him out. This is obviously not the way to deal with his sleep issues.

But it's driving me up a wall. I put him down around 6:30 and he's up around 7:30 and we can't get him back to sleep until 10 or 11. I've tried putting him to bed earlier, nursing him, having Dave deal with him, CIO up to an hour, laying down with him, walking, rocking, bottle of water, gas drops, tylenol, teething drops, pacifier, everything. Nothing works. I can't stand this anymore. I get zero time to recoup now. I used to savor that time between when they went to bed and when I went to bed. I'm running on empty. I don't know what to do. Nothing seems wrong with him. I'm wondering if it's bad dreams or night terrors. This has been going on for about three weeks now and it's getting worse instead of better and I'm at my wits end. Help!

 

We have two books that suggest other options:

The No Cry Sleep Solution (which didn't work for us because ours cried so quickly, but it has lots of good suggestions that worked for my nephew)

Good Night Sleep Tight -- which is what we ended up using -- it suggests a modified CIO technique where you let them cry but stay with them. That worked for us because they didn't get as hysterical if we were there.

Good luck!

Kim

 

I had somebody give me a book called "the sleep book for tired parents" by Rebecca Huntley and it basically gives you a rundown of the 4 main methods out there. I found it good, they give lots and lots of examples of ways each solution works. And it is a quick read, something else all twin moms can appreciate.

HTH!

 

I'm so glad you asked this question. I can not do CIO either, but my pedi convinced me to try modified CIO and my girls were extremely angry that I would dare stay in their room without talking to them or picking them up and it got them even more riled up for us to leave for 3 minutes or whatever then come back in then leave for 3 minutes etc. so that will not work for us. I tried everything to no avail and at 10 months old I am starting to lose my patience...not literally! I just need something to help them...well rather one of them. The other one only gets upset because the first one is so upset.

 

quote:
Originally posted by LeslieLu:
I'm so glad you asked this question. I can not do CIO either, but my pedi convinced me to try modified CIO and my girls were extremely angry that I would dare stay in their room without talking to them or picking them up and it got them even more riled up for us to leave for 3 minutes or whatever then come back in then leave for 3 minutes etc. so that will not work for us. I tried everything to no avail and at 10 months old I am starting to lose my patience...not literally! I just need something to help them...well rather one of them. The other one only gets upset because the first one is so upset.

Just curious...are they having troubles with naps and/or night sleep?

 

Oh I asked this so many times too! Like was previously mentioned, I finally tried the book, "Goodnight, Sleep Tight" by Kim West and it was wonderful! I suggest you try it. Now i have the most amazing sleepers. They head to bed without a peep and fall asleep in minutes.
I can't recommend this book enough.
Check out www.sleeplady.com

 

We finally called a sleep specialist that was highly recommended. of course it all boils down to crying but she told us before we start to fix a few things. I have done this and it has made a big difference with one of them without the crying.

1. make sure their room is dark enough. Black out windows with cardboard (cover it in nice fabric if you like). I was desperate so I used Ralphs bags (no-one will break into our house anytime soon). She said the room needs to be about a 7 or 8 out of 10 of darkness.

2. Get a white noise machine. I read the post that it is bad for their hearing which terrifies me but it has really helped, especially Mr. Sensitive. It blocks out all noise which used to wake him, and blocks out his brother (in another room). I can honestly say this has worked the best out of everything we have done.

3. Make sure they are warm enough at night. The room needs to be around 68 to 70. Get a thermometer to make sure. Make sure it's not too dry. Get a thermometer with a humidity reading.


Give these a try and see how you go

 

I have no answers as we're struggling with the same things but I wanted to let you know you're not alone. I hope one of the solutions posted will work for you. We're probably going to try one of the modified CIO techniques soon. I'm SOOOOO tired. We did the 3 things the previous poster listed and they do help. Hang in there.