Is it okay to let a 4 month old 'cry it out'?

[joeymom]

try looking at www.thesleeplady.com
She has some good advice that many of my friends have found to be valuable. I didn't discover her until after my DD3 was a little older. Also, you may recall that Dr. Ferber -the father of the CIO theory- has recently revised his ideas on the subject...I tried to let my DD cry it out a few times, but not until 7 or 8 months. Good Luck!

 

[va32h]

Personally, I would try other techniques before CIO at this age.

My youngest would fall asleep in my arms, and wake when I laid her down. I discovered that this was due to the dramatic change from my cozy, warm, lap to her cool, open, crib. Especially those few moments of being in mid-air as I laid her down.

So I would lay a receiving blanket over her while she dozed in my lap and then, when I laid her in the crib, leaned way into the crib so she was never "hanging" in the air. I would keep my arms under her and sort of hover over her a bit, then tuck the blanket in around her. It sounds weird, but it really worked.

We have also used a white-noise machine with all our kids, which is great at keeping them asleep.

Now I did let my little ones cry a bit - I wouldn't rush in if I heard a whimper, but you can usually tell the cry that comes just before a full-blown wail, and that's when I would go and get them. And I always tried to comfort them in the crib before picking them up. Sometimes just stroking their forehead or tucking the blanket back in would work for them.

Good luck with whatever you decide - I work from home too, and I know how frustrating it is to start-stop-start-stop when you are trying to get something done.

 

[MoniqueU]

My oldest son was much like yours. He would settle in if BF or Bottlefeeding and fall asleep that way but the second I moved him to put him in his crib he would startle awake. I finally either just took him for rides in the car or put him in his swing when I thought it was nap time. He LOVED the swing he would look around and nod off on his own. I tried a few more times to get him in his crib after he fell asleep in his swing and it never worked so I figured why battle it and often he would nap in his swing. It wasn't untill he was older like 6 or 9 months I let him cry it out. Like was said before the time wasnt really that long but it feels like forever when it's your child.

 

[Jenn Lynn]

I just went through this with DS. No joking, 3 days after he turned 5 months he was his happy, nap on schedule, no screaming baby again.

At 4 months there are some big changes going on. They are more aware, trying to grab at things, and easily distracted. They are feeding less during the day and wanting to make up for it at night. If he is not already he will be rolling around soon.

I wouldn't fight it. I also wouldn't let him CIO. It's a phase and it will get better.

 

[Nancy]

My first thought was maybe starting to to get teeth and he is just uncomfortable right now...that was usually when my kids got a bit whiney. I could never let them cry it out, but I didn't always pick them up either. I would sit by the crib and rub their backs, or rock the crib. Sometimes I picked them up and walked...whatever worked at the moment. Sometimes being a parent is lots of trial and error trying to figure out what works best for you. You can read all the books and advice but it comes down to you and baby in the end.

All you can do is hope for the best and hope you don't screw the kid up too bad!

 

[inaminute]

OP, only you know your baby.

Moms know what their babies cries mean (most of the time anyway!). Do what you're comfortable with. If it feels right to let him cry for a few minutes to see if he'll calm himself, then try it. As long as you're right there, aware, and listening, he'll be fine. A little trial and error won't screw him up for life. I promise.

The first thing I thought is that he might be teething. And, no he's not too young. My youngest had his first tooth break through the day he turned three months old! His doctor didn't believe me, and told me that it was unlikely that he'd be teething. I'll never forget the look on his face when he saw the tooth for himself.

Good luck. Being a new mom is exciting, wonderful, scary, humbling, frustrating, and mystifying--all at the same time! I don't know how any of us get through it!

 

[kldmom2000]

Yet another thought is that he could be going through a growth spurt and need to nurse more often to get your supply up to meet his needs.... ((((HUGS))))

 

[BC]

I think that is too young to let a baby cry for a long time, especially since he has been fine before now. Have you considered there might be a problem? I would have him checked by the pediatrician before I took everyone's opinions. My daughter had colic and had many of the same symptoms you are describing. I have read lots and lots on colicky babies and it sounds like you may be experiencing some of it. It may not be colic at all and everything is most likely fine, but I would get him checked if for no other reason, but peace of mind.

 

[justhat]

My daughter did the same thing at 4 months old. She was the perfect sleeper from about 6 weeks to a little over 4 months and then things went downhill. For her, naps were okay, but it was the night waking that came back. We didn't try CIO till she was about 8 months old, but then she'd cry so hard that she'd start vomiting so that was the end of the CIO for us. We tried again several times, but always had the same result. I hate to say it but it wasn't till she was 18 months that she became a good sleeper again (of course I say this while she's in the bedroom with her father, screaming at the top of her lungs for me since she just spent 2 weeks sleeping with us on vacation). Honestly though, I'd just get a sling or a Bjorn and let him take his naps in there till the phase passes, and slowly transition him to his crib, or wherever else you want him to nap.