Controlled crying - what if she's sick?

[Flossbert]

Sleep training must start tonight. I'm on my knees. But DD screams so much the minute I leave her I know she's going to make herself sick. I have read a bit about controlled crying (from the book Practical Parenting: Sleep) but it only covers the basics. Anyone else encountered this problem?

I don't know if what I do is CC, but I go in every 1-2 mins and lay DS ( 15mo) down. He cries the second I do, but will generally go back to sleep within 10 mins. I don't feel it is particularly traumatic as he knows he isn't being abandoned. I feel he is screaming more in anger that I won't bf him as we were back up to 4 feeds a night and I had no energy for 3yr old DD.

CC has worked for us in the past but went out the window when we all became ill last Christmas. I have tried it once since then, but the screaming had gone up a notch and caused her to be sick so I abandoned it. Gradual Withdrawal doesn't work as she gets wound up with me being nearby either wanting to play or screaming to the point of vomming because she wants a cuddle. The "carrot" method frankly sounds bonkers and I know my DD won't respond to it.

In the event, having discussed it again with DH, we're decided to try Repetitive Reassurance for now, though God knows how that's going to pan out at three o'clock in the morning. I am resolved to seeing it through though.

Thanks to everyone who posted.

What do you do when you leave? I would say night night to DS or tell him to lie down and that worked better than just walking out. if he kicked off, I'd go back in but most times he actually settled very quickly. Night wakings, we gave cuddles and stayed a bit longer until he fell asleep. He soon stopped and slept through.

From experience, don't do it. I was desperate with my DD, I had tried the 'gentler' methods (didn't work), and one night at about 1 year I let her CIO. I checked on her every couple of minutes, and after about an hour she threw up. I hadn't read the books, but my doctor had told me it was the only way to train her to sleep. I didn't know it was possible that she would vomit from the experience. The next night was better and for a few weeks she slept ok...but then she got a bug and we were right back to square one. Now at 2.5 years old, it can take her 2 hours to go to sleep and she often wakes 4-5 times a night. TBH, I have never forgiven myself for letting her cry and in the long run, it hasn't made her any more able to 'self soothe'. I think it did much more harm than good.

If she is sick, I'd say don't do it.

OP I'm glad you've found something else to try and I hope it works for you.

'gloria, guess what? OP is not talking about you, she's talking about herself and her baby. '

Yes I realise that. I was responding to krasia's post which told a similar story. Do you have to be so rude?

Akrasia

sorry keyboard being a bit dodgy

It is a very emotive topic (!!) and ultimately you do what you are comfortable with and what works for you and your baby. Totally agree with trinot that whatever you do, stick with it - consistency is the key. I'm a true believer that as a parent, it's your responsibility to ensure your child gets enough sleep, just as it is that they get enough food and water. DS1 was a stroppy little sod until he slept through!! (And so was I!!!)
Dr Weissbluth's book Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child has a lot of interesting facts about the science of sleep - he did a 7 year study. (Or you could play your baby a clip of Dr W talking on youtube - he has the most boring voice I've ever heard, guaranteed to send anyone to sleep!)

GW might work best in terms of the sick element - you'd only be worried about her being sick otherwise I guess.

Hi OP,

I know this thread is a bit out of date, but i though I'd post anyway incase u are still not having any luck...

No-one has mentioned baby whisperer (I don't think... Skim read a bit)

It worked a treat for my DD at 10 months and again recently after a serious illness. I couldn't bear the though of CC, same abandonment issues as mentioned before, but DD didn't sleep for more than a couple of hours at a stretch, ever!

It's the same deal as CC, lots of crying/ teaches them to get to sleep on their own/ generally takes 3 days for then to 'get it', but you're with them the whole time, so they're crying out of frustration rather than fear.

It worked v quickly when I had to do it again recently (she's now 2.3yrs), literally half way through the first night, she just clicked :)

Good luck, I hope u don't resort to CC

:)