Friday, May 14, 2010

Just Cry it Out....

I didn't know how hard letting your baby "cry it out" would be. IT. IS. HARD.

Last night was the first night we let Owen cry through the night. Our room is so close to Owen's nursery that we had to put ear plugs in (i know it sounds harsh). They were useless for me though..there was no way I could go back to sleep knowing he was crying. I eventually just took them out and laid in bed, just listening to him cry.

When he finally stopped crying (and yes, they really do stop), I had to go check on him. Check for breathing, make sure he was ok. Sure enough he was sound asleep again. I felt so bad I just wanted to scoop him up and snuggle him while he slept. I fought the urge though.

I've heard some moms say they can't stand to let their babies cry it out, that it literally makes them sick, or they are in tears too. I completely understand why now. My stomach was in knots.

Owen usually goes to bed at 8:30pm and wakes up at 3:30am or 4:00am. I'm hoping it doesn't take too many nights of "crying it out" before he is sleeping completely through the night.

When did all you other mothers start letting your babies cry through the night?

16 comments:

Christy {The Girl Who Ate Everything} said...

He's growing up so fast. I remember letting Austin cry it out when he was 6 months old. It was brutal. It seriously only took one or two nights then he was sleeping like a champ.

The other two I didn't let them cry it out. They kind of adjusted themselves and starting sleeping through on their own. Every baby is different so do what your mama instincts tell you.

Geoff and Bets said...

go kristy! i still havent let garrett and hes 20 months. i can tell you that our next baby wont be so fortunate though. its too much of a strain on you and your marriage not to.

Kellie Knapp said...

Kristy...I didn't let Macy cry it out until 9 months because I couldn't handle the thought of it, much less DO IT! It took 4 days and she has been a PERFECT sleeper ever since...This time around I think I'm going to sleep train Luke at 5 months. Right now he sleeps from 10-5 is up for 15 minuts and then sleeps from 515 to 8...so I can handle that for now.. I've gotta be really sick and tired of being sick and tired before I can handle the cries! :) GOOD LUCK!

Kristina said...

I have zero advice on the mom front - but that picture of him is so sweet. I could eat him up.

Niels and Susie Jensen said...

So sad. How do you resist that face? He just melts my heart every time.

I hope you figure out all this wisdom so you will be prepared to pass it on come this fall :)

Joo Lin said...

Owen is such a cutie!

Do you watch Modern Family? Your post made me think of an episode where they tried to let their baby cry it out. One parent was strong and one parent was weak. Kelley and I are both weak :)

We never let Seoul cry it out and she got on her own schedule of sleeping through the night. (It's hit or miss now because of the teething thing.) Besides that I can't ever sleep when she's crying - I want to hold her and cuddle her.

You're such a good mama! Good luck with it!

Kaija said...

what an adorable photo!!!

MEG said...

I never could do it. I would at least go in there and pat him back to sleep - without a bottle. That got him used to not eating in the middle of the night and eventually he stopped waking up because he wasn't wanting food then. You breastfeed though so I'm sure if you walked into Owen's room he'd see mama and want FOOD! LOL.

Letting them cry is hard. I say that as I listen to my 2 year old cry himself to sleep. Somehow it's a little easier to let a 2 year old cry. lol.

I didn't come see you this week :(

What day can I come next week?

Trent, Lori, Brinley and Colbie said...

Ugh...Kristy...We've all been there. I remember laying in bed when we were "Sleep Training" Brinley and trying to put the pillow over my head and anything to stop from listening to it. It breaks your heart but it is SO worth it. I think we started around 4-5 months. Brinley did awesome but with Colbie it's been trickier because they share a room. No fun!

Mike & Rachel Barton said...

I feel for you, Kristy!

It is SO hard! I totally had a blog about this a few months back after we just moved here.

While we were in MI for three months, McKayla was so used to being in the room with us. Once we moved here, she still wasn't sleeping well and she was almost 2!

It was even harder because she would climb/fall out of her crib. There were lots of tears shed on my end.

It is so worth it to do it though because you will get so much more sleep. Especially when you start them when they're young!

Good luck! I totally feel for you!

Emily Sue said...

4-6 months is what my dr suggests. My boys were naturals at sleeping starting at 2-4 weeks. Once they weren't swaddled anymore at 6 months then I let them cry if they woke. Our babies sleep about the same as Owen. Give it 3-4 days and if he doesn't stop then maybe he really is hungry.

Natalie & Aaron said...

Hang in there...we let Marcus cry it out about 9 months because he was wanting to get up and stay up at night. It was brutal but we got lucky and it took only 1 night! We may have to try this with Luke when he's about 5 months so let me know how it goes.

Crystal said...

A few weeks ago we tried that once. We failed miserably. The five minutes of crying felt like an hour. I was a little stronger than Spencer, but sure enough, after a couple of minutes he just went and grabbed her (with my approval of course, lol). It's too hard for us. I don't think we'll ever do that. It's just too hard. But props to you for doing it. Good Luck!

Tyler and Ashley Mortensen said...

GOOD GIRL :) I know its horrible and hard!! But its soooo good for them and you after just a few nights!! He is gonna be the best sleeper and you will never regret it!! Way to be tough! and dont feel guilty a lot of people will tell you they could never do cause of how hard it is.... well just cause you did doesnt mean you care or love him any less :) Good job momma!!!

Colt 'n Tami said...

You go girl... My heart will melt when Jaylee is cryin like a goon... but I bet it'll mold him into a good lil sleeper... He's sooooooooo precious!
THANKS A MILLION for that darlin' onzie! ohhhh talk about meltage! You're the best.... I LOVE it!

Caldwell Family 6 said...

Hey Christie! I concur with my sista'! I did Cole at about 5 1/2 months and it took two nights and it was a done deal! He has been the worlds most awesome sleeper! He never woke up in the night again. Except for the occasional dream or from being sick, but even that has been far and few between! We did this with all three of my kids and I haven't regretted it for a moment. I see my friends and neighbors talk about their nighttime horror stories and I just think, told ya so! Bella was a nightmare with sleep day and night, but once we did this, she was cured. Two great naps a day and a seven o' clock bedtime! It took like 3 nights. Holy cow that was long winded! But, you are awesome for doing it, it is so healthy for you and your baby! LoReLi