Cry It Out Method - Aurora,IL

12 weeks seems quite young for this method. I think too young to understand. My doctor didn't recommend it until after at least 6 months age. I got the book Healthy Sleep Habits Happy Child and went by the author's advice pretty much (maybe not quite as stict). It worked well for me.

If it doesn't feel right, it's not. Don't go against your mother's instinct. Your ped doesn't have to deal with it, you do. 12 weeks is really young to be on any type of schedule or anything. My son napped in my arms or in the swing for about 6 months and now is napping pretty good in the co-sleeper or crib. I personally hate CIO, it goes against everything that feels right as a mother. Don't try to "train" your son, mother him. I find that both my kids napped best in a sling or in my Ergo. They would sleep the longest that way.

It is the hardest thing you'll have to do up to date. He is not too young at all. He is fine and just letting you know he is not liking the program. One day isn't enough. It will take another 3-5 days until you are completely done with the crying out. Each time the process will get shorter, but you will have to do it. At some point you'll have to just let the first cry go a little longer and see if he's able to quiet himself down. I have done this with all my kids and after I have not had any problems with sleeping. Of course there will be other obstacles to sleeping as they get older, but the best thing is to be consistent, do not waver, never give in and always march them back to their bed or lay them back down.

My son is 12 weeks today. I have friends whose doctors have recommended it too. The crying breaks my heart. My little guy is not a good sleeper either. He does best when being held. I am kind of with Julie P. It has gotten to the point that if he won't swing or sit in his bouncer and sleep is nowhere in sight, I get in the car or walk him through Target! I figure he will sleep at some point. My daughter went to daycare and was left to cry quite often because they didn't have time to hold her as much. She tends to sleep worse than the others years later. Whether that's why or not, I just didn't want to create unneeded anxiety in my babies...Good luck with whatever they do. Our little guys are still pretty little though, so don't feel rushed to do anything...

If it bothers you, don't do it. My son is also 12 weeks (he is my second child) and I do not feel he is old enough to CIO. I didn't use this method (and mine was very modified)until my first son was 8 months old. At 12 weeks they don't really even have regular sleep patterns etc. He wouldn't even know why he is crying. Wait till you feel he has a pattern of sleep, you have set in place a very clear sleep routine (books, nurse, rock, bed etc), and you feel he cognitively gets that it is rest time. Good luck!!!

try using the Baby Whisperer's EASY method for a schedule, and the Happiest Baby on the Block 5 s's method. Those two combined will make cio not be a needed thing (at that age)
EASY - when the baby wakes up it Eats. After you feed it, then it has Activity - bouncy seat, tummy time, sitting up and playing with toys, swing, exersaucer, etc. When the baby gets fussy check the B's - boredom, butt or burp. If it's none of those then off to Sleep. Don't wait for the baby to do more than get the tiniest bit fussy, then see what is causing the fusses - if it's just that they needed their diaper change do that, but if it's not the activity is boring, the butt is dirty or they have to burp, then put them down. This may happen after as short as 45 minutes, don't freak, it really means they are tired.
Now, to get them to sleep use the 5 s's. Swaddle the baby, hold the baby on their side and sway as they suck on something (paci, your knuckle or their finger/thumb) and make a shush noise. This will calm your baby. When the baby is calm, but not asleep yet, keeping them swaddled lay them in the bed. I like to pat them instead of sway after a minute or two cause you can still pat after they are put down but you can't sway, so pat the baby and continue patting gradually decreasing it as you put them in the bed. Also continue the shushing as you put them down, again gradually getting quieter.
If you do these two you will find a well rested, easily managed baby in no time.

PS that study mentioned, it studied kids over age FIVE, not infants, but grade schoolers, who were in foster care. NOT correlating to infants at all. Just had to put that out there.

I am hugely against crying it out.

There have been numerous studies (a Harvard study most recently) that show raised cortisol levels are NOT good for baby. These are stress hormones and can have last effects on children in the tune of anxiety and depressive disorders.

There is a theory that our babies are born too soon neurologically. We are months behind other mammals at birth. That for the first 9 months (minimally)- we should treat our babies as if they are still in utero- tending to their every need when their needs present.

We are teaching our childrent to trust us. We are teaching them that when they cry-- that when they are hungry-- scared -- need to be held-- we will be there for them. That is our job during the day and during the night.

Your heart is telling you that it is wrong to leave your infant to cry because it is wrong. Trust yourself and leave the dr. advice to medical needs NOT parenting advice.

Hold your baby until they fall asleep if that is what your baby needs. You are not spoiling your baby. You cannot spoil a baby. Your baby cannot manipulate. Your baby's wants are your baby's needs. Keep repeating that when you are tired.

Look into attachment parenting and talk to other moms who know that what you are feeling is valid. Read the Dr. Sears "Baby Book" or his sleep book. Even "No Cry Sleep Solution".

Hold your baby close. Give him what he needs and you will find that you will have a child who is independent, happy, secure because you have tended to his needs when he needed them.

I never could do the cry it out method. I know the ideal situation is to have him nap in a crib, but will he nap in the swing or bouncy chair?

My oldest would only nap in a vibrating bouncy chair. We burned out 3 motors until she could nap in her crib and on her own. She didn't sleep through the night until she was almost a year old too, but she sleeps great now! She's 10.

This too shall pass. Hang in there, Mom!

If I remember correctly, 3 months old is the best time to start your bedtime and naptime routines -- doing the same calming and soothing behavior on a consistent basis. I think Cry-it-out (CIO) is best suited for a child 4 months or older.

It's very difficult to hear your baby cry -- especially when he starts escalating the pitch and volume of his screams. If you are not committed to doing it on a consistent basis, it probably will not work. Your doctor has advocated CIO with time limits (controlled crying). This takes longer than the cold-turkey CIO, but it seems a bit "nicer." I used the traditional CIO and it took only a few days. But one night, I had to walk into the garage to keep myself from going into my daughter's room. It's tough, but I think it's totally worth it (either way to chose to do it.) Unfortunately, it is absolutely critical not to give in and go in sooner than you are supposed to.

I'm another advocate of "Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child," by Marc Weissbluth, MD. It has helped solve sleep problems from my children's infancies to their current age. It will also outline the different types of CIO (with time limits, without) and alternatives to CIO as well. Best of luck!

Okay, my advice probably goes against every sleep book out there, but I am a laid back person, and I couldn't stand to listen to my babies cry. I did not worry about putting my babies on a schedule or making them nap in their crib until after 6 months. I was more of the "let them sleep wherever and whenever they fall asleep" type. They often dozed in the swing or stroller, even though I had read the book that says not to do that. I never stressed about it. Somehow this worked for me in the end, and they both became very good sleepers-maybe I just got lucky! They are now 10 months and 3 1/2, and both sleep very well (11 hours over night, plus the baby naps in her crib 2 times a day). I think you have to do what feels best to you! Good luck!

From what I've read and learned from other moms, cry it out really isn't a good method to use until your child has learned to self sooth, which doesn't typically happen until 5-6 months.

I know it can get tiring and frustrating to not have those naps without being held, but you have to remember he is still very young and needs your security.