Mom Asks If She’s an ‘Awful Mother’ for Wanting to Try the ‘Cry It Out’ Method with Her 7-Month-Old Baby

A mother is wondering if she’s an “awful mom” for wanting to try the “cry it out” method with her baby instead of always consoling him.

The original poster (OP) shared her story on Reddit and explained that her 7-month-old son refuses to sleep. She said this is her second child — her first, a daughter, never had sleep problems.

Because her son won’t sleep unless he’s being held, OP said her mental health has “never been so bad.”

“I can spend hours upon hours rocking him. The second he goes down, he screams and will not stop until he is held again,” she wrote. “I don’t know what to do. I am exhausted.”

OP added that her partner works four nights a week, leaving her to handle both children during the night. She explained that she feels like she can’t function anymore.

“The only thing I can actually think of trying (which I have never considered before) is the cry it out method,” she wrote. “Make sure he is fed, changed, perfect temperature, and then just check on him every 15 minutes until he eventually self-soothes. Some of you may judge me but I have no idea what else to do.”

She also worried about the long-term effects on her son, saying that they have “such a strong bond” and that she hates “seeing him cry.”

Many commenters supported her, sharing that the method worked for them.

“Sometimes letting your baby cry so you can save your mental health is the smart move,” one wrote. “It sounds like your cup is completely empty. Sleep is so vital to our existence that if you don’t get the bare minimum you could end up seriously hurting yourself or your family accidentally.”

Another added, “There is absolutely no judgment here. Your mental health is just as important as your son’s, and you can’t pour from an empty cup.”

In an update, OP shared that she tried the method and it worked.

“I put my son down and was very apprehensive. He cried on and off for 5 minutes, then I went back over to him, told him I love him, stroked his cheek and then left him again,” she wrote. “Five minutes went by, and he was again on and off crying, but not hysterical, just a few whimpers. Then I went back in again after, and he was fast asleep.”

“It took 10 minutes. I have spent over 3 hours per night rocking him for months and never got anywhere. Thank you everyone for the nice comments. I’m a happy mom right now, with a happy little boy who is fast asleep peacefully ❤️.”