Help! Confused by "Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child" Book...

I don't have that book because I didn't use CIO, but if you want a non-CIO book that tells you what to do step by step to get him sleeping you should check out The No Cry Sleep Solution for Toddlers and Preschoolers by Elizabeth Pantley. I haven't read that, but I did read The No Cry Sleep Solution for younger babies. It gives specifics on how to do it.

Kind of. The basic message is to create a routine and to stick to it.
He does suggest crying, but that there are limits to what should be done (no more than an hour without soothing), and that you should follow your comfort level with it.

He is a big fan of the early bedtime, which I have to say, does work.

On another note, we've done CIO with my son at various points (always to undo a habit that WE'VE created), and it works like a charm. Every time we do it, it only takes 1 time/1night, and we're done with it. The last time we did, DS was 17mos. He's 2.5 now and we're in good shape.

I'm about to start this with my 4 month old tonight, actually.

My SIL gave me this book and after only reading a few chapters I threw it out. I do not in the least believe in CIO and I thought the same thing you did. Is he waking up in hysterics or just babbling or fussing a bit? At this age my daughter was able to understand what I said to her so if she woke during the night, usually in hysterics, I would comfort her as best I could and rock her and hold her. Once she calmed down I would quietly tell her it's bedtime and that she needs to go back to sleep. Lay her down in the crib and make sure she had her blankie and sometimes turn on her musical aquarium. This worked for us. Usually this is just a phase and passes quickly. But if he's just talking to himself and not upset I would just leave him and let him try and go back to sleep on his own. He's old enough to understand that if you come in to get him he'll keep doing it.

Hi S.S.
I agree with some of the posts below:
1. Weissbluth's book is good in terms of learning various sleep needs at different stages and sticking to a nap schedule etc.

2. However, In my humble opinion, and from the research I have done as a parent, babies and toddlers cry for all sorts of reasons -- hunger, cold, hot, getting sick, scared. I humly believe not answering their cries -- especially when they cannot yet talk and thus communicate exactly what they want -- may teach them that their needs do not matter and thus maybe they do not as well. again, i am not a phd or expert...

3. Try Pantleys "No Cry Sleep Solution"
HTH, Jilly

I had the same problem with that book, however I did get some really good tips and I have to say a lot of what it says has worked for me. I don't think you will find a step by step solution in there, but more of a suggested lifestlye to promote healthy sleeping. Things like strictly sticking to a daily nap schedule, consistant early bedtimes, etc. I did kind of think the author was pretty big on CIO and I have to say it only takes a couple of times, but it is something you have to be comfortable with. I hope this helps a little. It is a good book, but you are not wrong for being confused. I use it more now for reference as to what is normal sleep habits as my daughter gets older.

To make a very long story short yes, put your 18 month old down to sleep and let him sleep. If he has an actual need then tend to it but if he is just protesting because he doesn't want to sleep or is relying on you to soothe him, then let him CIO.

I have the book and I love it. If you read more deeply into the book, you'll learn a whole lot about sleep cycles, circadian rhythms, how much sleep hygiene children need, how sleep debt affects so many aspects of life, etc. You will NOT find a checklist of multiple steps to follow.

Your child will not be emotionally damaged by this - just ask my 4 year old! As a mother (unless there is an emergency) you know that your child does not NEED to be awake in the middle of the night, likely does not NEED to be fed, and does not NEED to be up and playing. What he NEEDS is to get a nice solid block of sleep for several hours overnight so his gets proper growth and development. He is demonstrating a WANT to you and you have to pick your battles and decide how you want to approach it. CIO will be the quickest and easiest way to get your child sleeping again. I completely trust Dr. Weissbluth as he is a pediatrician who specializes in infant/child sleep issues with over 30 years of actual research and tens of thousands of infants and children as opposed to someone who just prostletyzes over sleep because they have an MD and/or are interested. He is still practicing in the Chicago area.

CIO is usually more difficult for the parent than it is the child and you are the only one who has to walk in your shoes and deal with your situation. No matter what you choose, be consistent with whatever you decide so that your child gets ONE message as to what you will be doing regarding the sleep.

Good luck - for what it is worth, I used Weissbluth's techniques with both of my kids. They were consistently sleeping through the night from 6 months on, nap great, and get an appropriate amount of uninterrupted sleep each night. CIO took literally 3 days with my older son and 2 days with my younger son (at 6 months of age).

18 months old is a growth-spurt time.... and also of changing cognition and motor skills, imagination, etc., and growing-pains for a child. Not easy for them either.
They get lack of sleep too, at these times.
So yes, sleep tweaks DOES happen... at certain age junctures.
You cannot, extinguish that, in a child.
Sleep tweaks, will happen.

Also make sure he is napping...everyday.
Because being over-tired... ALSO makes it hard for a child to fall asleep, to stay asleep and to get a good sleep.

all the best,
Susan