Modified CIO?

Thank you to JC for clarifying that CIO doesn't mean closing the door and hoping for the best. It is a step-by-step process that does work and quite quickly!

At 10 months old there is no need for night feedings. He is likely waking and looking for comfort, not food. Make sure he has a full belly before putting him down and be prepared for several long nights.

It is heart-breaking, but CIO does work. Your son will be a happier baby in the long-run once he learns how to soothe himself! We did this with my son and now he sleeps about 10 hours a night and goes to bed drowsy, but not sleeping. We also found that letting him attach to a lovely really helped. He looks for "Joe" when he's ready for bed.

Good luck!

My children were semi-cosleepers for most of their infancy and a bit into toddler times. Can you put him in your bed to fall asleep and then put him into his crib? Then at least you'll get a few hours with your husband before the next feeding/waking. And if you can stay awake, maybe bring him back to his crib after he nurses and falls asleep again.

Good luck.

As long as he is sleeping with you he will wake up to nurse. He can smell those yummy boobs! You can nurse him before bed until drowsy, sing to him, play music. This should be done in his room. Then what I do is lay him down and keep my hand in his chest and play bedtime music until he is asleep. Then I leave. My son has been a great sleeper since 4 1/2 months. He is still breastfed and we do not do CIO. God bless those babies that be soothed without getting picked up!

The thing about CIO is that you don't just shut the door and hold your ears until he falls asleep. You need to let him cry for 5 minutes and then go back in for 30 seconds and soothe him without picking him up and then leave for 10 minutes, go back in for 30 seconds, wait 15 minutes, etc. The whole thing is very controlled and you must follow it exactly.

At 10 months, it should work fine and fairly quickly. It will get better every night. Since you are aware that the crib will bring some tears it sounds like you are up for the challenge. I suggest that you do something to occupy your time during the intervals (get on the computer, talk on the phone in an adjoining room, watch TV, do a craft). That will keep your mind occupied on not on feeling terrible.

Good luck. And I don't blame you for not wanting the baby in the bed. And it's not your fault - you need to sleep and do whatever it takes sometimes to get some!

breastfed babies will always need more milk..my son woke through the night until he was 14 months. Why not try putting him into his crib and just soothing him until he falls asleep? Just make the transition gentle for him, your time with your hubby will come..and your sweet little baby will be walking and talking before you can blink so give him the attention and love he needs at night for now!

try this:
http://www.freewebs.com/sidecarcrib/

it's how we got our crib set up. and that has worked for us, very well for 2 children now.