Controlled Crying, does it become better??

[1lastshot]

My DS is 8 months old and has always been pretty bad at sleeping so we were advised by so many people including HV to use controlled crying on him to teach him to self sooth. We are 2 and a half weeks in and he still screams bloody murder when I put him down to sleep in fact se starts crying when I say "night night mummy loves you". It's killing me to leave him screaming on average 10-15 minutes before he drops off. Can anyone shed some light on this is he just rebelling because I'm doing something new or is he always going to cry himself to sleep?

[katandkits]

Perhaps he isn't ready to fall asleep alone yet? Have you tried sitting next to his cot and comforting him through the bars. The idea is you gradually move your chair further away. I am not 100% against cc like some people are but I think it would work better with a toddler than with a baby who is at the separation anxiety stage. He is much to young to deliberately "rebel" or manipulate you. For what its worth my DS was a rubbish sleeper and hard to settle and one day at 17 months it just clicked and we were able to put him in his cot, turn out the light and leave the room. The baby stage does not last forever.

[ilovepowerhoop]

do you go in at regular intervals to soothe him or are you just leaving him to cry? I did more of a pick up/out down method so wasnt leaving them to cry by themselves

[girliefriend]

10 - 15mins before he falls asleep doesn't sound too bad, although when your baby is screaming I appreciate it can feel much longer. Are you sure he isn't in pain or teething?

I would say it will get better and well done for getting to this point have some

[LadyCybilCrawley]

Ok so I am going to say trust your instincts here

You will get those who swear by cc and those who swear against it so you'll need to trust you own instincts here

My personal view is that at 8 months all he knows is that he is about to be left ... It's too young in my opinion

Advise sitting with him as PP suggested and gradually removing yourself from room over period of time

I think the book "no cry sleep solution" was good one

In the big picture of life, he needs you - he is crying for you - he want always do this - eventually he'll leave home and get a job - but at 8 months he is trying to tell you he needs you there with him

[LadyCybilCrawley]

Won't always do this - not want - sorry - stupid autocorrect

[Changeitplease]

What a great reply by the above poster! Please do think about it...

[Lagoonablue]

If it hasn't worked by 2 weeks it is doubtful it will. Try gradual retreat as suggested. NCSS is useful too

[1lastshot]

I tried sitting with him which worked for a while but then one day he just started screaming at that too!

[1lastshot]

Ps he has no sign of any teeth
Don't think he's in any pain!

I think I will go with my instinct as suggested! Thank you for all the replies!

[TheScience]

I think usually people say if it's going to work it will have worked in 3 days. If he's still screaming after 2.5 weeks I would try something else. Sounds like he has developed a fear of being left if he is crying as soon as you say goodnight.