I Tried It Again (and I shouldn't have)

Okay, remember how awhile backI tried to let Isaac CIO (cry it out) for his naps during the day? It was back when he was about 4 months old. It made me SO sad because he cried so hard, he threw up all over his crib! Since then naps have continued to be difficult. I have tried to just not stress about them... but, there are days where I just can't get a single thing done because Isaac won't nap. Today was one of those days.

So, I tried getting him to sleep starting at 8:30 this morning (He'd been up since 5:45 and was definitely showing signs that he was sleepy.) By 11:30, I'd had it. I put him in his crib and figured that just maybe he'd cry a little while and then fall asleep from being exhausted. Nope. I should have guessed it... CIO does not work on my son. When I went in his room to comfort him and let him know he was okay, he cried harder. The longest stretch I left him cry was for about 30 minutes and I feel horrible! When I picked him up, he clung to me and looked at me with his big brown eyes as if to say, "Why didn't you come get me, mommy?"

Why does this sleep method work for some babies and not others? I know deep down that I do not have the willpower to let Isaac cry for 2 hours straight like some parents do for their children. After hugging a kissing Isaac to death to calm him down, I nursed him for about 2 min. and he was out. I managed to move him over to the couch (his favorite new napping spot... I know, he should be in his crib. But, these days... I take naps anywhere I can get them.). He's now actually whimpering and making little gulping noises in his sleep. Is he dreaming about being abandoned? Oh, how sad! Now I really know the CIO method isn't really for us. Isaac sleeps well at night. It's just those darn naps! We'll figure it out eventually.

Update: He slept for an hour and 45 minutes and woke up looking... a lot less traumatized than myself. ;)