What age to start CC

[Jamily]

Hi everyone

What age does everyone think bub should be before attempting this? I think my daughter is too young (8 weeks) but I have read so much conflicting advice.

Thanks!

[drewid]

Hi

I have heard/read that about the 6-12 month mark is the best time to start.

There are lots of people who have success with CC, but I would look into other avenues seeing as your bub is still so young. At that age, they don't know night from day or what they are *supposed* to be doing, so its pretty pointless to enforce sleep on them. They will sleep when they are tired and eventually a pattern will work itself out that will suit both of you.

The first 3 months with a newborn are the hardest - its best to go with the flow as much as possibel during the time, and if a natural pattern hasnt emerged, then you try to *direct* things a bit more after 3 months.

Our bub was all over the place sleep and feed wise in the first 2 months, but at about the 3 month mark he suddenly clicked that night was sleeping time! It was lovely! So we didn't have to struggle with him to try to get him down at night.

Anyway I could ramble on for hours, so better go finish my cheesecake (yummo)!

Take care

[Jamily]

Hi Nicole

Thanks for reinforcing what I felt was right. Already I can see a pattern emerging from bub that I am defs happy to run with for now! :)

p.s. hope you enjoyed the cheesecake - I'm stuffing down a Boost bar!

[drewid]

Yum, I love Boost bars! I thought i was being good today at the shops and didnt' pick one up. But you know what...I ended up buying a pkt of double coat tim tams instead! DOH

Its strange but breastfeeding makes me CRAVE chocolate something shocking!! I guess maybe its my body's way of telling me to have more dairy products (though maybe chocolate is not the best option!!)

[Maghan]

I don't think any age is a good age for controlled crying. Babies and children should know that sleep is a nice place to go to and know that you are there to comfort them. I have and still do sometimes parent my kid's to sleep if they need it. I never controlled cried any of my children and the youngest ones (4 and 2) put themselves to bed when they are tired, no tears.

There's a difference between this and sleep procrastination as they get older, but that's another story...

Just my opinion, don't anyone think I am judging, as long as you do what you think is best for your child, then that's the best thing for your child, none of us would intentionally harm our children, so do what keeps you sane and what your heart says is right.

[draught]

Remebering that this is the pro-controlled crying forum......the advice of most experts (and parents) is to wait until they are at least 6 months. Up until that time they are just too little. That doesn't mean that you can't do different things that teach them about night time sleeping and day time sleeping though - going to bed routines, patting, music, etc - whatever works for your baby and is not too stressful or tiring for you.
And the other advice is right - after the first 3 months or so they do settle into a more predictable pattern that you can work with. We promise! :p