[PasoJen]

I am at wits-end and I'm hoping someone can give me some advice. My 4-month old baby will rarely sleep for longer than an hour or so at night in his crib. As soon as he wakes up and realizes he is in the crib he screams. I have to get him and rock him back to sleep. He won't calm down until I lay him in my arms in the rocking chair. He just wants me to hold him to sleep - that is basically it. I rock him back to sleep and lay him back in the crib, then get up anywhere from 20 minutes to 1 1/2 hour later to get him again.
He's always slept in the crib but woke up every 3 hours to feed. Since he had acid reflux I did hold him for quite a while after each feeding. About a month ago he started waking up every 2 hours and now it is often more than that.
He's a bit young for a cry-it-out method but I don't know what to do. Any suggestions? I want to avoid co-sleeping because if he is this way now I can't imagine how hard it would be to get him back in a crib after co-sleeping.
Thanks!

[Alejandros Mommy]

Hello and Welcome I'm moving this to the newborn area as you will get tons of replies that way.

[JeanLynn81]

Actually I was going to recommend co-sleeping. Its really not hard at all to break them of the habit. My dd slept in my bed with me for the first year. It only took two nights to get her used to her crib. Check out some of Val's blogs here on co-sleeping. Its really not a bad idea if sleep is what you crave! Plus its better for the little one to get more sleep too! Good luck.

[DivasMomma]

my oldest DD was the same....i let her cry it out! 4 months isnt too young....let the baby cry and try to ignore it as best as possible (i have a 4 month old now and its hard all over again!) Best thing is to let him cry himself to sleep...he will then be able to fall asleep on his own. Part of the problem may not be the crib itself, but the fact that he cant fall asleep by himself cause he is used to u rocking him


good luck!!!

[PasoJen]

Thanks for the quick responses! In terms of co-sleeping, when you moved the baby to the crib, did you then have to "cry it out"?
As far as "cry it out", how do you know if he is old enough or not old enough? I'm so confused. He is post-colicky and Dr. Weissbluth of Health Sleep Habits, Happy Child says this may be too young but he doesn't clarify how you know.

[JeanLynn81]

Actually my dd let me know when she was ready. I was starting to actually have trouble getting her to stay asleep. I just did this transition a few nights ago, and so far, so good. She's sleeping normally again.

I think when they become toddlers, they naturally start to explore and distance themselves from mom a little more. So its just easier to get them to sleep through the night in their crib.

[DivasMomma]

i would say try it....


if he screams un godly for mor then 10 mins, hes prob not ready.....
he if screams ungodly for a few mins, and then starts easing up (you will here him slowing down and getting sleepy) then hes ready. Its more a parent who needs to be ready in my eyes...its VERY hard! But my dd was falling right to sleep on her own, in the crib, in about 3 or 4 days! By the time she was able to talk she was telling ME she was tired and night night!

[deedee1231]

I co slept with all four of mine until they were at least 2 years old, even the twins. When they got too big to sleep comfortably in the bed with my husband and I, I moved them into a twin bed of their own. When the time is right, you will know because he will try to stretch out and get comfy and wake up as his body parts come up against yours! !

The transistion to a bed of his own is made much easier by eestablishing a bed time routine; bathtime, pj's, toothbrushing, and a few bedtime stories every night just before bed. Works like a charm for us. Good Luck!

[Alejandros Mommy]

I co-slept with both my boys. Alejandro had his own crib and I would put him in it until he woke up to BF...he'd then sleep the rest of the night with me.

Aiden Slept with us for the first 3 months...he hated his bassinett. He only slept in his crib for his naps. After I started to put him in his crib at night and like my 1st he slept with us. Before long I'd put him back into his crib after Bf'ing and he did very well If he did wake up I would go in feed and snuggle with him then when he was finished I put him back in his crib. The trick is to find the cues of your baby and the sounds they make before the start crying. If they know you will get them before they cry they usually don't cry as often.

Personally I hate the CIO method...I have tried it and I have found other methods that work a whole lot better for me and required few tears. Do what you think is best for your babe and use your judgement. You know your child the best

Also you mentioned your babe had reflux...could be he wakes up in pain and you shouldn't ignore that. Have you talked to your doc about prescribing medication for him? It would help a lot. We also have a reflux forum for moms of babes with reflux in the Childrens health area Feel free to post there as well. Our Mod Jen is a great resource when it comes to reflux and babies.

[PasoJen]

Thank you for the ideas; he doesn't have acid reflux any more as far as we can tell - we did try medication and it made him wired, I took him off it and just lived with it until he got over it recently. I do feel like it was all of that cuddling while he had acid reflux that got him used to sleeping on our arms, etc. They say you can't spoil a newborn but our little guy probably got more than average holding.
I'm going to continue just rocking and putting him back in his crib. We're not ready for CIO and I don't want to co-sleep although I admit it is probably the best option at this point. I also started him on rice cereal (ok'd by doc) and if I can get him to start eating more of that at night maybe it will help.
This forum is great! Thanks for the support.