How To Get Babies To Sleep At Daycare

[makap]

I'm going to stand on the opposite side of the spectrum here and say that because they are infants under 12 months that the CIO method may actually be harmful to them. I've read articles and have had trainings and taken child development courses that have said that allowing infants under the age of 12 months to cry for longer than 15 minutes at a time can be harmful. The infant stops crying because she learns that she can no longer hope for the caregiver to provide comfort, not because her distress has been alleviated.

There have been studies that show that infants that have the CIO method used on them have increased heart rate and blood pressure, reduced oxygen level, elevated cerebral blood pressure, depleted energy reserves and oxygen, brain injury, and cardiac dysfunction. Of course these are all worst case scenarios in babies that are often left to CIO and not the common case.

Babies that young are still in the early stages of early brain development and letting a child that young cry for long periods of time can cause chronic stress in that baby. That in return can lead to an over-active adrenaline system, which can then later turn into the child being more aggressive, impulsive, and violent.

I would completely agree with the CIO method if the child was older than 1 year (when the brain has mostly finished it's early stages of development) but not before then.

For now I would simply allow the infant to cry for short periods of time (a few minutes) and then go in and sooth the child with my voice and my touch but not pick the baby up. Once the baby stopped crying I would walk back out of the room. You would pretty much be teaching the baby that doesn't yet know how to self sooth that just because you are not in the room you are still nearby and available. As time goes on (depending on the baby) I would then add a few more minutes and prolong my reaction time as the baby got better and better at feeling secure about being alone.

By no means is this easy or quick, some babies learn quicker than others depending on their personalities, but it can be done. It just takes patience. I have all of my DC kids sleep in the same room now and it works. That includes a 4mo, 7mo, 1yo, two 2yo's, 3yo. 4yo and an 8yo. It took a while but it got easier over time.

Either way I hope you have luck .

I agree with this.

[Angelsj]

I'm going to stand on the opposite side of the spectrum here and say that because they are infants under 12 months that the CIO method may actually be harmful to them. I've read articles and have had trainings and taken child development courses that have said that allowing infants under the age of 12 months to cry for longer than 15 minutes at a time can be harmful. The infant stops crying because she learns that she can no longer hope for the caregiver to provide comfort, not because her distress has been alleviated.

There have been studies that show that infants that have the CIO method used on them have increased heart rate and blood pressure, reduced oxygen level, elevated cerebral blood pressure, depleted energy reserves and oxygen, brain injury, and cardiac dysfunction. Of course these are all worst case scenarios in babies that are often left to CIO and not the common case.

Babies that young are still in the early stages of early brain development and letting a child that young cry for long periods of time can cause chronic stress in that baby. That in return can lead to an over-active adrenaline system, which can then later turn into the child being more aggressive, impulsive, and violent.

I would completely agree with the CIO method if the child was older than 1 year (when the brain has mostly finished it's early stages of development) but not before then.

For now I would simply allow the infant to cry for short periods of time (a few minutes) and then go in and sooth the child with my voice and my touch but not pick the baby up. Once the baby stopped crying I would walk back out of the room. You would pretty much be teaching the baby that doesn't yet know how to self sooth that just because you are not in the room you are still nearby and available. As time goes on (depending on the baby) I would then add a few more minutes and prolong my reaction time as the baby got better and better at feeling secure about being alone.

By no means is this easy or quick, some babies learn quicker than others depending on their personalities, but it can be done. It just takes patience. I have all of my DC kids sleep in the same room now and it works. That includes a 4mo, 7mo, 1yo, two 2yo's, 3yo. 4yo and an 8yo. It took a while but it got easier over time.

Either way I hope you have luck .

This is a much better approach. I am not sure if the above posters meant what that sounded like, but to walk away and let a young (under a year) baby cry for 1.5 to 2 hours??!! I hope no one is really doing that. As a parent I would be furious to find out a provider was letting my little baby cry for 2 hours.

[blandino]

This is a much better approach. I am not sure if the above posters meant what that sounded like, but to walk away and let a young (under a year) baby cry for 1.5 to 2 hours??!! I hope no one is really doing that. As a parent I would be furious to find out a provider was letting my little baby cry for 2 hours.

I don't think that is what they meant at all. Or at least what I was thinking. The nap would be 1.5- 2 hours long, but I don't think any child would cry for that long (nor would any provider let them). There would be something else the child needs if they are crying for 30+ min (IMHO). I think they are saying to get the babies on a sleep schedule, you just start doing it - and eventually they catch on. But as long as the sleep schedule is reasonable, the children should be tired around those times and therefore should fall asleep shortly after lying them down IME.

My children are on a similar sleep schedule to the ones mentioned here, and we implemented it by laying them down and x time each day, and turning on the lights at x time. They might have cried for maybe 10 min the first day, and after a week, they were down to minimal fussing before they fall asleep.

If a baby is persistent and crying longer than say 15-20 min, we reevaluate anything that they could be wanting, most of the time it is an off schedule bottle (we give bottles to anyone who is close to needing one before nap time) - we give the bottle and typically then they fall asleep.

[HomeMADE]

I have two pre toddlers, 10months and 12months that also have a early nap and I have gotten to learn their distress cry and their I just don't want to be in here cry. Just as you learn with your own children. So if you don't let them cry some how do you learn their different "Cries" and modes of communication.

Not to mention if they don't nap how the rest of everyone's day is going to go especially theirs. It is our responsibility to not give into wants because we often know what they need and a small nap is important just as eating and oxygen.

[makap]

I am all for letting them cry just not for very long! CIO is not for babies. Babies need to know that their needs are going to be met but not all of their wants.
They NEED to sleep but WANT to get up!
I agree with Marina and this is exactly what I do!

For now I would simply allow the infant to cry for short periods of time (a few minutes) and then go in and sooth the child with my voice and my touch but not pick the baby up. Once the baby stopped crying I would walk back out of the room. You would pretty much be teaching the baby that doesn't yet know how to self sooth that just because you are not in the room you are still nearby and available. As time goes on (depending on the baby) I would then add a few more minutes and prolong my reaction time as the baby got better and better at feeling secure about being alone.

[Heidi]

ok...NO, I did not mean let them cry for 1.5-2 hours.

I meant put them in bed and if they fuss for a few minutes, that ok. I'm thinking after 5-7 minutes, they'll be out. If they wake up after 15 minutes, that's not even one sleep cycle, so then I would let them fuss again for a few minutes. I would let them do this on-and-off thing for a morning nap of 45min-1 hour, and then for an afternoon nap of 1 1/2-2 hours.

I've had babies come here that are terrible sleepers and miserable awake because they are tired. Usually, in a week or so they get the routine if I'm consistent, and instead of screaming when they go to sleep, they snuggle in and wake up happy.

But, I am really, really consistent about it (and only if they are developmentally ready, which varies, usually 6-8 months). They know we eat (breakfast or lunch), they get a fresh diaper, I sing a little lullaby, I give them hugs and kisses and I Love you's, and then I tuck them in and walk away. When nap time is over, I come in...bright smile.."nap time is over" "did you have a nice nap?" "ok, now lets go play"

I tell you, honestly that by the end of a week or two at most, I have them convinced they love napping!

[LK5kids]

A long as nap time is, according to you. Then go in and say "nap time is over..."

Set a reasonable schedule for them, and stick to it. They are old enough to catch on. Probably a 45 min-1 hr nap in the am, then playtime, outdoor time if possible...lots of fresh air. Then lunch, diapers, story, lullaby, and nap for everyone... 2-2 1/2 hours.

Great advice! Thanks!

[TheirEmi]

I'm going to stand on the opposite side of the spectrum here and say that because they are infants under 12 months that the CIO method may actually be harmful to them. I've read articles and have had trainings and taken child development courses that have said that allowing infants under the age of 12 months to cry for longer than 15 minutes at a time can be harmful. The infant stops crying because she learns that she can no longer hope for the caregiver to provide comfort, not because her distress has been alleviated.

There have been studies that show that infants that have the CIO method used on them have increased heart rate and blood pressure, reduced oxygen level, elevated cerebral blood pressure, depleted energy reserves and oxygen, brain injury, and cardiac dysfunction. Of course these are all worst case scenarios in babies that are often left to CIO and not the common case.

Babies that young are still in the early stages of early brain development and letting a child that young cry for long periods of time can cause chronic stress in that baby. That in return can lead to an over-active adrenaline system, which can then later turn into the child being more aggressive, impulsive, and violent.

I would completely agree with the CIO method if the child was older than 1 year (when the brain has mostly finished it's early stages of development) but not before then.

For now I would simply allow the infant to cry for short periods of time (a few minutes) and then go in and sooth the child with my voice and my touch but not pick the baby up. Once the baby stopped crying I would walk back out of the room. You would pretty much be teaching the baby that doesn't yet know how to self sooth that just because you are not in the room you are still nearby and available. As time goes on (depending on the baby) I would then add a few more minutes and prolong my reaction time as the baby got better and better at feeling secure about being alone.

By no means is this easy or quick, some babies learn quicker than others depending on their personalities, but it can be done. It just takes patience. I have all of my DC kids sleep in the same room now and it works. That includes a 4mo, 7mo, 1yo, two 2yo's, 3yo. 4yo and an 8yo. It took a while but it got easier over time.

Either way I hope you have luck .

I agree!

[Francine]

I understand both side of this, I have a 6 month old that sleeps for 1/2 hour in the morning and another 1/2 hour in the after noon. He needs more sleep, he is tired but he will not go back to sleep. If I were to leave him up there to CIO for our full nap time he would be crying for 1 1/2 hours, he will not stop! If I go in to sooth him he will not stop, so soothing him until he stops crying and then walking out doesn't work either. Basically his parents have trained him that they will get him up every time he makes a noise. He can get himself to sleep here but it takes 10-15 minutes of crying most days, some days it's only 4-5 minutes. Any thoughts on how to get this little guy to sleep longer? I am postitive that even though his parents know that I have to let him cry at times, they don't at home at all.

[kristinhomedaycare]

I'm going to stand on the opposite side of the spectrum here and say that because they are infants under 12 months that the CIO method may actually be harmful to them. I've read articles and have had trainings and taken child development courses that have said that allowing infants under the age of 12 months to cry for longer than 15 minutes at a time can be harmful. The infant stops crying because she learns that she can no longer hope for the caregiver to provide comfort, not because her distress has been alleviated.

There have been studies that show that infants that have the CIO method used on them have increased heart rate and blood pressure, reduced oxygen level, elevated cerebral blood pressure, depleted energy reserves and oxygen, brain injury, and cardiac dysfunction. Of course these are all worst case scenarios in babies that are often left to CIO and not the common case.

Babies that young are still in the early stages of early brain development and letting a child that young cry for long periods of time can cause chronic stress in that baby. That in return can lead to an over-active adrenaline system, which can then later turn into the child being more aggressive, impulsive, and violent.

I would completely agree with the CIO method if the child was older than 1 year (when the brain has mostly finished it's early stages of development) but not before then.

For now I would simply allow the infant to cry for short periods of time (a few minutes) and then go in and sooth the child with my voice and my touch but not pick the baby up. Once the baby stopped crying I would walk back out of the room. You would pretty much be teaching the baby that doesn't yet know how to self sooth that just because you are not in the room you are still nearby and available. As time goes on (depending on the baby) I would then add a few more minutes and prolong my reaction time as the baby got better and better at feeling secure about being alone.

By no means is this easy or quick, some babies learn quicker than others depending on their personalities, but it can be done. It just takes patience. I have all of my DC kids sleep in the same room now and it works. That includes a 4mo, 7mo, 1yo, two 2yo's, 3yo. 4yo and an 8yo. It took a while but it got easier over time.

Either way I hope you have luck .

I do cry it out in 15 min intervals. If they cry longer than 15 min I go get them and bring them out to play for a bit. Must not be tired enough to sleep. I don't think it's possible to do anything else though unless you are in a center with multiple teachers. How else do you supervise the other children? and if the kids don't sleep it won't be long before the parents are looking for another center that can make sure their child rests