My 5 month old does not self sooth so sleep training has been difficult for me. My spouse wants us to use the CIO method but I can’t take the crying for minutes on end. Right now, baby nurses to sleep or needs help getting to sleep and doesn’t sleep long in his crib. What methods should I start with to help him sooth to sleep and sleep in his crib?
I totally understand not wanting to use CIO; I haven’t been able to stomach it either. There are a lot of different methods where you won’t let your baby cry for minutes on end. The Ferber method is similar but more gradual, which may help both you and the baby get more accustomed to it. You can also soothe from next to the crib instead of picking your baby up, moving farther away each time/night.
Here’s a list of all the methods to try: Sleep Training: Definition & Techniques
A couple things to keep in mind throughout this journey:
- Having a consistent bedtime and routine can really help as well. You want to put your baby down when they’re already getting tired, but not when they’re fully asleep.
- Babies are really only developmentally ready to start sleep training at 5 months of age. So don’t get discouraged, you and baby will get there.
- Studies have shown that CIO is the fastest method to getting a baby to fall asleep on their own. That doesn’t mean it’s the best choice for you or your child. Some other methods work just as well, they just take more time and patience.