My question today revolves around CIO. For those of you who know what this stands for, chances are you, you have your own opinion about it.
For those of you who don't, allow me to educate you so you too may join in on the fun!
I use to think a fussy baby could be "cured" by swaddling, loud noises, swinging, eliminating certain foods, baby wearing- so many options, in fact, that CIO shouldn't even be considered, right?
I use to think (judge) other parents who let their baby cry or couldn't get their baby to settle down were obviously not doing it right (no clue what "it" was, just sure they were doing it wrong)
What happens when you have a Samantha, who just doesn't stop?
One that just screams unless she has the boob.
One who, despite being very tired and in a very comfortable car seat on a long, smooth road trip will scream the entire trip instead of sleeping.
One who wakes up 2-3 times a night screaming bloody murder for 30 seconds, and then goes back to sleep.
One who screams and cries at her toys because...actually, we don't know why. She just looks at it, furious with tears streaming down her face-and we have to take the toy away. And these are not frustrating toys. This is like a marker or a block.
I will admit that up to a certain age (4 months-ish) where if a baby cries, they truly do need something, even if it is simply to be held.
But after 4 months....well, sometimes they just need to blow off some steam.
So we let her cry. When we have someone come over to babysit while she's sleeping, we tell them not to go in if she cries. They kind of look at us funny and I find myself explaining how much I hate it and never thought I'd have to do it, but that we just let her cry.
So, if I hate it so much, why do we let her?
I have friends whose babies are Samantha's age and the parents refuse to do CIO.
Or try it for 20 minutes and give up.
Don't get me wrong- Samantha is still exhausting! But a good night's sleep makes a world of a difference for both her and me.
My question to you, is, have you ever/will you ever/do you ever plan on using CIO?
For anyone who has a child like Samantha, how long 'til she will just go to sleep without fighting it? Or is this a life-time "funny" God has given me?
For those of you who don't, allow me to educate you so you too may join in on the fun!
CIO=Cry it out
I use to think that if a baby is crying, it's because they need something. If you let them cry, you are not giving them what they need.I use to think a fussy baby could be "cured" by swaddling, loud noises, swinging, eliminating certain foods, baby wearing- so many options, in fact, that CIO shouldn't even be considered, right?
I use to think (judge) other parents who let their baby cry or couldn't get their baby to settle down were obviously not doing it right (no clue what "it" was, just sure they were doing it wrong)
See the subtitle to my blog up at the top there?
That is why I was given Samantha.
Because God thinks He's so darn funny.
That is why I was given Samantha.
Because God thinks He's so darn funny.
What happens when you have a Samantha, who just doesn't stop?
One that just screams unless she has the boob.
One who, despite being very tired and in a very comfortable car seat on a long, smooth road trip will scream the entire trip instead of sleeping.
One who wakes up 2-3 times a night screaming bloody murder for 30 seconds, and then goes back to sleep.
One who screams and cries at her toys because...actually, we don't know why. She just looks at it, furious with tears streaming down her face-and we have to take the toy away. And these are not frustrating toys. This is like a marker or a block.
I will admit that up to a certain age (4 months-ish) where if a baby cries, they truly do need something, even if it is simply to be held.
But after 4 months....well, sometimes they just need to blow off some steam.
In our case, our little steam engine needs to go constantly.
So we let her cry. When we have someone come over to babysit while she's sleeping, we tell them not to go in if she cries. They kind of look at us funny and I find myself explaining how much I hate it and never thought I'd have to do it, but that we just let her cry.
So, if I hate it so much, why do we let her?
Because then she sleeps 12 hrs.
And, recently, naps for 90 minutes.
And, recently, naps for 90 minutes.
I have friends whose babies are Samantha's age and the parents refuse to do CIO.
Or try it for 20 minutes and give up.
And they are exhausted.
Don't get me wrong- Samantha is still exhausting! But a good night's sleep makes a world of a difference for both her and me.
My question to you, is, have you ever/will you ever/do you ever plan on using CIO?
For anyone who has a child like Samantha, how long 'til she will just go to sleep without fighting it? Or is this a life-time "funny" God has given me?
