Always an interesting one and not easy to accomplish!
Without dummies, and for 3/5 children even without comfort toys sleeping could have been a challenge, but as soon as we worked it out with number one, Dalia the same methods seem to work for all of our consecutive babies.
It is, to the horror of many 'crying it out'. All it takes is oneor two nights with crying and both parents and child are happier. The way i trained the children meant i had to watch my clock carefully which distracted me from the heart wrenching cries. It is not easy but once you have made the decision to do it, both you and your hubbie have to be totally in for it and you have to keep up the same method for any night time waking (unless of course the baby has woken up for a reason or is unwell).
It also works best if your children are already in a nice routine, with regular bed time schedules so that they know that after bath, and teeth brushing, it is time to go to sleep.
After saying good night, close the door and stay nearby. After one minute, go in, pat, say good night and then leave. NO eye contact. Then stay outside another minute and repeat. Then wait two minutes before just going in, maybe a pat or a stroke (no speaking) and leave again. Then wait another two minutes - or more if you are strong enough. Then wait five minutes before going in and out the baby's room. Then ten, then 15. By the time you have waited outside 20 minutes most times the baby will have fallen asleep. If not keep going in at intervals you are comfortable with if it is helping. You should notice times when the baby cries less or more intermittently - in which case he is soothing himself and it is probably better not to go in at all. Play with these rules and intervals - something will work. and the next wake up - even if in the middle of the night you must repeat the process in the same way. After two or three nights you will have your sleep back and wonder why you let the baby take control for so long!
One thing that just worked for Ella this week (20 mths) - I had lots of eye to eye heart to heart chats to her about going to sleep nicely - with no crying...and it worked (well for three nights so far!).
By the way - I think you can try CIO method from as soon as you feel ok with it - even as little as three months. The earlier you do some form of it, the quicker you get to sleep! x
