CIO

Not everyone who reads this blog will agree with my methods of "sleep-training" but there are millions of people who do.  I have read many books on this topic and tend to fall into the Babywise camp.  After reading the books, I decided I bought into the research on the Cry It Out (CIO) method.  (Yes, I have read articles from the other side as well.)  I have visited several Babywise blogs and tried to recall how I "trained" Avery. My attitude towards her was certainly different.  When I let Avery CIO it wasn't really that hard.  She had a louder, tougher cry and I knew she was fine.  She also reached a point where she would give up much sooner than Reagan has. His cry is weaker, but he can go longer.  Much longer.  I have attempted to let him CIO now about 4 times and failed every time.  Those 4 times, he cried anywhere from 25 minutes to 45 minutes, and then I broke down and picked him up.  If you know anything about Babywise, you know that consistency is key (which I have already failed at).  So tonight I decided the sleep training should REALLY begin.  I put him down awake but drowsy, and after about 5 minutes he cried.  And he continued to cry, non-stop, for one hour and 15 minutes.  It was truly heart-wrenching, but he is asleep.  I'm going to try and chronicle my training with Reagan.  Tonight I was strong.  We'll see how tomorrow night goes.