How should I go about trying CC (and does it work?)

[wemmicks]

DD is 8 months old and for the past 6 weeks has started waking in the night. She's never been a sleepy baby, but used to go down around 8/8.30 (sometimes taking up to 45 mins to settle - she's always hated going to sleep although used to be OK once she was asleep) and sleep until around 6am - and had been doing this for quite a long time.

Since the beginning of August, though, she's been waking sometime around 10/11pm, then again either once or twice between 2 and 5. Sometimes she just needs me to go in and hold her in her cot, other times it takes 30 mins, or even up to an hour, to settle her back down - usually ending up with me walking round with her. I would obviously rather she didn't wake up, but she's also started looking so tired with dark circles and red eyes so I'm also concerned that she isn't getting a good stretch of sleep and that she's losing the knack of resettling.

It's been suggested that I try CC but I don't know exactly what I should do or how long for - do I just leave her to cry until she tires herself out? I did try last night and lasted 15 mins until I had to go in to her - the crying that started as murmuring escalated to full scale screaming which in turn made her thirsty and hot.

We have just done CC succesfully.
It is by no means an easy option, and it doesn't work for everyone.

Firstly, I'd get some reading material. Christopher Green's "Babies" or the Ferber book might be good places to start.

Our DD had also really reduced her milk intake at night to 3oz once nightly, before we started, so we were sure she wasn't hungry/thirsty.

With CC you don't leave your DD to cry. Rather, you settle her in the cot at bedtime, but she should go down sleepy but awake. You give her a kiss, say goodnight, and scarper. If she cries, go in after a short interval, eg 2 mins. This may well be the longest 2 mins of your life. Go back in after 2mins, soothe and stroke DD, ideally without picking her up. But if she's in a lather you may want to cuddle her a bit, as long as you don't cuddle her to sleep. Stay only for a couple of minutes.

The next interval should be longer. We used 2,3,5,7,10,15. Pick intervals that you think you will be comfortable with eg some people allow a max of 10 mins.

We were prepared for several hours crying, but got luck, and it was never more than one hour. You will need some support, and possibly wine, to help you through it.

Most people see big improvements within 3 days if the technique is applied consistently. We set a deadline that if we didn't see improvements in 3 days, we'd jack it in.

Good luck if you decide to go for it.

thanks; we'll give it a go

I used a little controlled crying and as imbarryscott says you should use increasing intervals. I was lucky too, either that i did it just right as dd caught on very quickly. I however, never rocked or cuddled my dc to sleep from birth, so they kinda had the idea from day one.
I did find though that after an illness or something, the lost the habit of sleeping through and very quickly developed a new habit of waking at the same regualr times. Once i knew it was no longer an illness waking them, i had to retrain them and break the new habit. CC worked for me

I've also had success with cc although in slightly older children. Have done it with all 3 of mine. The key is to be consistent and don't do it unless you're absolutely committed (ie desperate for a decent nights sleep). I found starting and then giving up made things even worse. It is hard - recommend ear plugs or a personal stereo and doing it together as a couple - assuming you have a partner that is. Hanve you started yet and if so how is it going?